Valentine ’s Day in Japan
They’ve got it right!

When you walk around Tokyo in these days, you find tons of stands selling chocolate.
I found it surprising.
I got the answer during one of my Japanese lessons. My teacher explained me the concept of Valentine’s Day and White Day in Japan.

Valentine’s Day

This event was introduced in Japan in 1958 (I did some research) by a Japanese confectionery company. On February 14th, women offer presents of chocolate to men…
Apparently there are 2 different kinds of such gifts, the “giri choco” (obligatory chocolate in Japanese), given by women to their superiors, coworkers, etc and the “honmei choco” (given to the beloved one).
I will let you know what I will get on this famous Feb, 14th.
By the way, it is also the day when girls can truly reveal their feelings. Japanese girls are supposed to be very shy but on that day, they dare…..

White Day

And here is the most amazing part. Taking advantage of the Japanese sense of obligation (to return a present in this case), the confectioners introduced in 1980 White Day. On that day, the men are supposed to offer chocolate to the women. White Day happens on March, 14th.
I have read somewhere that the chocolate given by men during that day are often more expensive than the ones they received.
Now I hope you guys will thank me for giving you a great way to make up for forgetting Valentine’s Day.

- Nico