Valentines Day, Japanese Style
| February 13, 2012 | Posted by thesocialfrog under Holidays |
Most people assume that Valentines day is mostly a “woman’s” holiday where it’s the man whom is usually the gift giver, whether it be chocolates, cards, flowers or anything else. This does not ring true here in Japan though. It is rather a “men’s” holiday. It is when women throughout Japan go shopping and usually purchase beautiful boxes of chocolates for pretty much any man they desire including their spouse, significant other and even bosses and co-workers.
Last week I was out at one of the Japanese grocery store, Universe and they had their massive display of candies and boxes of chocolate!! They had so many beautiful boxes of chocolate, in all shapes, sizes and gift wrapped for you already. The prices started at around 550¥ and up to well over 1500¥. I am not sure what any of the pretty chocolates were or what may be inside of them but hey…chocolate IS chocolate and I am sure they are divine!
Don’t worry though, there is a “day” for women here too when men give them gifts. It is called “White Day”, when the men return gifts to the women they received one from, one month earlier on Valentines day. Very interesting if you ask me. The top 5 gifts for men to get their woman on White Day are:
- Necklace
- Ring
- Handkerchief
- Flowers
- Stuffed Animals
Twitter: CorinneCR
February 13, 2012 at 6:20 pm
How interesting this is. Valentine’s Day is a fairly new phenomenon here – I would say about 20 years old and it’s fought against quite strongly by some fundamentalists! However, it is alive and well as are the flower sellers and the gift manufacturers
Corinne recently posted..I’m Okay, Really….
Ciao Rose Ann!
Have a lovely week…Saint Valentine has a long history…
I’ll show how we celebrate it at home!
Big hugs, my friend!!!
nonna ivana recently posted..BOLOGNA, una PASSEGGIATA e SCORCI sulla NEVE
Nice to know about your culture. In India it is another reason for the boys and girls to go out on an date….and for people who are really in love, well, you should ask them.
How interesting. I love to learn how different cultures celebrate. Valentine’s Day is not celebrated in my house. Hubbie reckons it’s all a ploy by the card manufacturers to make money!
Hocam recently posted..The Book Club Comes to Dine.
Twitter: ShannonWamsley
February 14, 2012 at 8:20 am
It is always interesting to see how other cultures celebrate things. Did you get hubby lots of goodies?
Shannon recently posted..Moody Mondays: Valentine Word Scramble
How fascinating! Loved learning about Valentine’s traditions in Japan.
Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Blessings!
Martha Orlando recently posted.."I Said Over and Over and Over Again . . ."
Well, Japan seems like a fair place genderwise and that makes me happy.
Well, as Corinne mentioned, the concept of V’s day is a recent phenomenon here.
Glad to stop by.
Joy always,
Susan