We’re all familiar with the Western version of Valentine’s Day, where the couple would go all out to celebrate their love. This would often involve flowers, chocolates, a fancy dinner and an exchange of gifts. It is a special day for couples, as they would carve out time on this day just for themselves.

And while one would assume that it would be celebrated the same way everywhere else in world, as it turns out, it isn’t! Japan, for one, has a rather different take on this beloved celebration. (Malaysia included, but that’s a story for another day.)

To elaborate, it is the women who take the initiative during Valentine’s Day in Japan. As in, rather than both parties giving gifts to each other, it is the women who shower men with gifts. Chocolates, to be specific. To take things further, this chocolate-giving occasion is sometimes accompanied with a love confession.

Now before you start getting into a huff over how one-sided this all seems, rest assured that the men do reciprocate the gesture–a month later.

But first, let’s get into Valentine’s Day itself and the types of chocolates the expect.

Valentine’s Day: A Time to Enjoy Chocolates

A bit of background: Valentine’s Day was brought over to Japan in the 1950s by a Japanese chocolate company. The company wanted to profit from the Western tradition, and so started ads claiming that Valentine’s Day is a day when women show the men in their lives that they care by giving different types of chocolates. Over 50 years later and this tradition is still going strong!

To illustrate, you know Valentine’s Day is just around the corner when stores are packed with people trying to get their hands on some chocolates. And if that doesn’t clue you in on its arrival, then the appearance of chocolate-making supplies in stores would.

After all, what better way is there to make your gift more meaningful than to make it on your own?

This is an important distinction between chocolates given on Valentine’s Day. Generally, there are two types of chocolates: ones that you give to friends, colleagues, family members and the like, and ones that you would give to your romantic interest. This is just putting it simply, because these can be further broken down into even more categories. Read on.

Giri-choco

Giri-choco is loosely translated as “obligation chocolate”. It is chocolate that the giver would give to friends, colleagues, bosses, and family members–essentially, anyone who isn’t the giver’s romantic interest.

These chocolates shouldn’t be taken lightly, however. Despite their name, they can be seen as a gesture of appreciation or a wish of happiness for the receiver.

Honmei-choco

Honmei-choco is chocolate that is reserved for your romantic interest; your crush, your husband, or your boyfriend. Unlike the rest of the chocolates, these tend to be handmade. It is the perfect way to express your affection, as handmade chocolates have a lot more thought put into them. Hence, are more personal.

If you’re planning to express your love Japanese style, then it’s time get creative in the kitchen!

Jibun-choco

Possibly the most important chocolate on the list (or at least in my opinion), jibun-choco is chocolate that you buy to enjoy by yourself. If you’re looking to spoil someone on this special day, who better than yourself? You work hard everyday to earn a living–you definitely deserve a treat.

Tomo-choco

Tomo-choco is “friend chocolates”. This is part of a recent trend where women give chocolates to other female friends.

These chocolates tend to be quite expensive and ornate, and will usually be enjoyed when the women get together and eat them at the same time. This is a good way to get some fun out of the celebration, instead of simply waiting anxiously for a response from your crush!

Gyaku-choco

Gyaku-choco means “reverse chocolates”. These chocolates are given by a man to a woman, making them non-traditional. It should be noted that because gift-giving on Valentine’s Day is dominated by women, gyaku-choco aren’t common.

White Day: A Time to Return the Sentiment

White Day takes place precisely one month after Valentine’s Day, and it is the day when the men return the favour at least three-fold–to each of the women that had given them chocolates the month before.

Thus, it can get very expensive, very fast.

Unlike Japanese women, though, the men aren’t limited to giving chocolates. They actually are free to give presents like handbags, flowers, lingerie, high heels and jewellery. Many of these gifts may, as the name of the celebration suggests, be in the colour white.

So this is to the ladies: if you want to get lots of presents on White Day, you know what to do 😉