We're here to help you keep count of the days to or since a date. Just click the button below and enter your chosen date to get started. Also choose the suggested days or search for a special day above #countingthedays
History and Traditions:
Valentine's Day in Japan was first celebrated around the 1950s after a confectionery company, Morozoff Ltd., started promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates as a Western-inspired tradition. Over the years, this holiday took on a unique form in Japan, diverging from Western practices.
The most distinctive aspect of Valentine's Day in Japan is that women are traditionally the ones to give chocolates to men. The giving of chocolates is not just limited to romantic interests but also encompasses friends, colleagues, and family members.
There are two types of chocolates given:
In recent years, a third category known as "Tomo-choco" (友チョコ), which translates to "friend chocolate," has become popular among women who exchange chocolates with their female friends.
What People Do:
Women purchase or hand-make chocolates and give them to the men in their lives.
Men don't typically give gifts on February 14th; instead, they reciprocate a month later on White Day (March 14th), which is a holiday unique to Japan and some other Asian countries where men who received chocolates on Valentine's Day return the favor with gifts often white-themed like white chocolate or marshmallows.
Retailers and confectioners capitalize on this holiday by selling an extensive range of chocolates and sweets specifically designed for Valentine's Day gifting.
Restaurants may offer special Valentine's Day menus or promotions for couples looking to celebrate romantically.
Valentine's Day has become a significant commercial event in Japan. It serves as an opportunity for expression of feelings within the parameters set by societal norms. The day is less about spontaneity and more about fulfilling social obligations and expressing gratitude through gift-giving.
