Japanese Culture Society Week 4 Update

Last week at the Japanese Culture Society, we delved into how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Japan! 

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is traditionally celebrated by women giving chocolates or other sweets to men as a sign of affection rather than the exchange of gifts that is common in many other parts of the world. The types of chocolates given can vary depending on the relationship between the giver and recipient. The three main categories of chocolates given on Valentine’s Day are:

1. Giri-choco (義理チョコ) – “obligation chocolate” or “courtesy chocolate” that is given to male colleagues, bosses, or acquaintances out of courtesy or obligation. 
2. Honmei-choco (本命チョコ) – “true feeling chocolate” or “favourite chocolate” that is given to boyfriends, husbands, or the person a woman is romantically interested in. 
3. Tomo-choco (友チョコ) – “friend chocolate” that is given to female friends as a sign of friendship.

Fun facts: 

• Some women make their own chocolates at home and decorate them with personalised messages and/or designs to make their gifts more special. 
• Additionally, in recent years, some men have started to reciprocate this act on 14 March, known as White Day, as they give gifts to the women whom they received chocolates from. This has led to a more reciprocal exchange of gifts and increased sales of chocolates and other gifts in Japan!

– Amy Zhao (Year 11)