What Is Valentine’s Day in Japan? Chocolate and Gift-Giving Traditions
Chocolate and Gift-Giving Traditions in Japan
February 14 is known around the world as Valentine’s Day.
In Japan, this day is also widely celebrated as a time to express feelings, but the customs are a little different from those in many other countries.
A Unique Japanese Valentine’s Tradition
In many parts of the world, Valentine’s Day is associated with men giving gifts to women.
In Japan, however, it is more common for women to give chocolate or presents to their partners or loved ones.
For many people, Valentine’s Day is an important occasion to express feelings of love and appreciation in a tangible form.
Enjoying Premium Chocolate as a Gift for Yourself
In Japan, limited-edition chocolates by renowned chocolatiers from around the world begin appearing at department stores and special event venues from mid-January.
As February approaches, these venues fill with pop-up counters, and visitors can often be seen sampling chocolates while choosing their favorites.
Because of this, many people look forward not only to buying gifts for others, but also to selecting a special chocolate for themselves.
If you are in Japan during this season, you may come across flavors created or supervised by Japanese chocolatiers who have won international competitions.
If you see chocolates made with ingredients commonly used in Japanese cuisine—such as matcha, yuzu, sansho pepper, or shiso—this is a good opportunity to try them.
Many of these special-flavor chocolates have a relatively short shelf life, which means they may be something you can truly enjoy only while you are in Japan.
Choosing Leather Valentine’s Gifts at Ikedaya
During the Valentine’s season, many customers visit Ikedaya in search of gifts.
Leather accessories made from Japanese leather are often chosen as memorable presents that can be enjoyed for a long time, unlike chocolate.
Popular items include:
- the Classica Shoulder, designed for everyday use
- lightweight sacoches that are convenient for travel
- wallets and small accessories made from randoseru leather
All of these items feature simple designs and are easy to use for people of any gender.
One of the pleasures of shopping at a store in Japan is being able to hold each item, check its size, and feel the texture of the leather before choosing.
As leather is used over time, its appearance gradually changes, and each piece can come to remind you of the time you spent in Japan.
If you are not able to visit Japan at the moment, you can also view the same items on this site ikedaya-global.com.
Enjoying Valentine’s Day in Japan as a Travel Memory
If special chocolates are an experience enjoyed in the moment, leather accessories can be seen as memories that you take home from Japan and continue to use long after your trip ends.
If you have the chance to visit Japan in February, we encourage you to explore department stores and local shops to experience the unique atmosphere of Valentine’s Day in Japan.
At Ikedaya, we offer complimentary gift wrapping for Valentine’s gifts purchased from our selection of Japanese leather items.
Please feel free to ask our staff if you would like your gift wrapped !
