Valentine's Day in Japan

Happy (late) Valentines Day everyone! I didn't do too much to celebrate it this year myself but I did get to experience it here in Japan. They do celebrate Valentine's Day here and it is pretty much the same. Much like America, it is a largely commercial holiday. The department stores have been selling gourmet chocolates and sweets for weeks now. They are always so beautiful and tempting...

Chocolates that I bought for my boyfriend

However, unlike in America, most ladies home make all of their chocolates and sweets. The stores have been packed with chocolates, special heart molds, and decorations. That leads to the major difference between the way that the Japanese and Americans celebrate the holiday: Valentine's Day is a day for guys here. The ladies spend hours creating sweets for their boyfriends and crushes. I never would have guessed that though from the pink frilly decorations and chocolates that were all over the stores. The guys are flattered though when they receive a very cute and well decorated sweet. It shows that the lady spent a lot of time working on their gift. The girls don't totally get tossed aside though. The Japanese have a whole separate holiday a month after Valentine's Day called White Day where the girls get gifts from their boyfriends and crushes. Sounds like a good deal to me!



I personally got a couple of homemade chocolates and a chocolate pie from some of my older students as well as a package from my boyfriend. It was filled with nerdy delights and a beautiful new necklace. We got a chance to Skype while we each opened our gifts which was very nice. He definitely did well!

My homemade pie and package!