Are you thinking of giving chocolates to friends, family, colleagues, or loved ones? In Japan, Valentine’s Day is incomplete without chocolate: giving, receiving, and consuming are the highlights of the day. 

On the 14th of February, women are typically expected to give chocolate to their friends, loved ones, or colleagues. Each has a name for these kinds of chocolate.

While chocolates given to family, friends, and colleagues don’t require a gift in return, on March 14th, those who give chocolates to their significant other or love interest would expect a gift in return.

Known as White Day, on this day, the men who receive chocolate from a love interest are responsible for responding with sweets, jewelry, or chocolate if the feelings are mutual. Depending on the gift given on Valentine’s Day, the value of that should be higher when giving a gift in return on White Day.

The Types of Chocolate Given on Valentine’s Day

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Did you know you can give five different types of chocolate on Valentine’s Day?

Gyaku Choco (逆チョコ)

Valentine’s Day in Japan typically involves women giving and men receiving chocolate. However, as the name implies, gyaku, or reverse chocolate, occurs when the man gifts the chocolate on Valentine’s Day. Although this type of chocolate giving is common in Western countries, it is still relatively new in Japan. It is rumored that this was seen as a marketing strategy to get more men to purchase chocolates for their partners. Believe it or not, gyaku chocolate was introduced in the early 2000s, and many Japanese sites explain the meaning of gyaku chocolate and instructions on how, when, and where to give it, like this article.

Honmei Choco (本命チョコ)

Meaning “true feelings chocolate,” is given to the person you have genuine feelings for, usually to significant others or prospective romantic partners. Compared to other kinds, this kind of chocolate is more expensive and has better quality. However, costly chocolates are not always compulsory. In contrast, homemade chocolates are gaining more and more popularity because to make them, the person needs to put more of their time and effort into them, which implies their affection toward the person they have feelings for.

Giri Choco (義理チョコ)

Giri choco (義理チョコ): meaning the “obligatory chocolate,” referring to regular and inexpensive chocolate for classmates, casual acquaintances, and coworkers. This chocolate can be bought in bulk (for a large group) or individually purchased from the supermarket or convenience store, usually in Valentine’s Day-themed packaging. It has no romantic meaning behind it, so if you want to give a little something to your colleagues, don’t worry! There won’t be any misunderstandings.

Tomo Choco (友チョコ)

“Tomo” is a common abbreviation of “Tomodachi” or friend. Tomo choco is given to close friends, usually among female friends. It proves how the Japanese value relationships between their friends and their effort to sustain those good relationships. These chocolates can be homemade or bought at a store (usually in cute packaging). Many exchange homemade (or bought) chocolates and enjoy them together on Valentine’s Day. 

Jibun Choco (自分チョコ)

“Jibun” means “yourself” in Japanese. Everyone deserves to treat themselves now and then, and why not with chocolate on Valentine’s Day? Whether you received one, many, or none, buying your favorite chocolate can make Valentine’s Day all the better. Because Valentine’s Day is a one-day holiday, you can often find your favorite chocolates at a discount, especially if they are in Valentine’s Day-themed packaging. So be sure to wait the next day to get the cheapest price on your chocolates.

Valentine’s Day Chocolates: Gifting And Making

So when should you give your chocolate? Depending on the type of chocolate you are giving (tomo, giri, honmei) will determine when to give your chocolates. Chocolates that don’t have deeper meanings, like tomo, and giri can be given on the day of. In contrast, honmei chocolate may require some planning.

Don’t worry! It’s not as serious as you would think, but if you’d like to protect yourself from slight embarrassment, we suggest gifting the honmei chocolate in an area away from the crowds.

Whether you choose to gift them or make the chocolates yourself, the person receiving them will surely understand the message you are trying to convey.

Here are some ways and options to gift your chocolate to the person you are romantically interested in.

Deliver Your Chocolate Before Valentine’s Day

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This strategy will guarantee a home run for your partner’s heart. Why? Because nothing says affection and consideration better than giving someone priority over everyone else on Valentine’s Day. It sounds simple, but the action suggests your excitement and enthusiasm when you think about that special someone that you can not wait until Valentine’s Day to express your affection. Especially for men likely to receive a lot of chocolate from many potential partners, it would be wise to make yourself stand out by being the “first” to approach and leave an impression on him before the rest.
Wondering which chocolates are popular this year? Have a look at this article, listing the eight popular chocolate brands in Tokyo.

Gifting Homemade Chocolates

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Perhaps you’re on a budget or a student looking to save money. A great way to show how you feel is through making homemade chocolate. Even if you are not the best pastry chef in the world, there is no doubt that your partner or prospective lover will appreciate your handmade chocolates wholeheartedly. Why? Because the time you spent and the effort you made for a tiny bit of chocolate carry more meaning and affection you have toward that special someone.

Making your chocolate from scratch will show your loved ones that you put in extra effort and love to make them happy. In Japan, it is believed that the more effort it takes to make a Valentine’s Day chocolate, the more the person cares about their significant other.  Making your chocolate gift can be very easy and delicious! 

Easy Recipe for Homemade Chocolate:

There are two main ways to make your chocolate unique compared to store-bought chocolate.

The first way is to make them from scratch, like this recipe for nama choco here.

The second method, decorated chocolate, is for those who may not have all the necessary tools. You can buy the chocolate your partner prefers from the supermarket and customize it according to your liking. In recent years, this method has gained popularity among Japanese girls because it allows them to show off their creativity, decoration skills, and thoughtfulness.

In addition, it is a smart way to maintain the chocolate’s deliciousness without struggling to make it from scratch, which requires essential tools and facilities that may not always be available in every kitchen.

Here is my way of customizing the chocolate that helped me successfully impress my crush from last year’s Valentine’s Day.

What I used (and you can, too):

1. Meiji Chocolate (any chocolate is fine)

2. A heart-shaped chocolate mold

3. Chocolate sprinkles

4. Wrapping papers and ribbons (you can find many at Daiso)

5. A cute bag (optional)

Instructions:

1. Melt your chocolate in the microwave. If you want to add a Japanese touch, add a bit of bitter Matcha (green tea) powder. It is essential that you keep a careful eye on the chocolate while you melt it to make sure it does not burn.

2. Pour the chocolate into the heart-shaped mold and decorate it with sprinkles

3. Place the mold in your refrigerator for half an hour (30 minutes) or until it is set.

4. After 30 minutes, remove the chocolates from the mold, put them carefully into the bag, and finish it with cute wrapping paper and ribbons. 

5. Place it in the cute bag

Plan a Date for Valentine’s Day

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A great way to set the mood is by planning a date! Although if you’re thinking of having a romantic dinner, we suggest planning at least a month in advance to secure a reservation. Some restaurants offer special lunch and dinner menus for Valentine’s Day.

Here are the restaurants we suggest you book based on the city you’re in!

Tokyo:
Cheese Tavern Cascina offers a Valentine’s Day lunch course (6380 yen with tax included)

Osaka:
FaRo offers an elegant dinner course (13,000 yen) with a beautiful view of Osaka.
Kyoto:
The SODOH Higashiyama Kyoto offers a reasonable dinner course (8250 yen) meal creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Wherever you are located or decide to go for Valentine’s Day, some restaurants offer excellent options to celebrate your love on Valentine’s Day. Be sure to plan accordingly to secure your reservation.

Deliver Your Chocolate in Private

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It takes a lot of courage to express your feelings to the person you are romantically interested in, and so we should applaud those who can do so with an audience. However, some people would rather be more private when openly admitting their feelings to another person. Either way, you choose, it is admirable to have the courage and ability to speak about your true feelings to another person.
If you’re having trouble thinking of ways to deliver your chocolate and feelings, don’t worry; we have you covered. We have listed three ways you can deliver your chocolates and message.

Here are sneaky ways to deliver your chocolate on Valentine’s Day without many people finding out:

1. If you know where they live, send the chocolate directly to their house address.
2. Secretly put the chocolate under their work desk, shoe box, or backpack.
3. Deliver the chocolate through their close friends.

Guidable’s Pocket Dictionary For Valentine’s Day: How to Convey Your Feelings in Japanese

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Looking for ways to convey your feelings to your Valentine? Look no further; we have listed a few phrases to use when the time comes to convey your feelings.

君のは他の人より、ちょっと高めだよ
Kimi no wa hokano hito yori, chotto takame dayo

Which means, “Compared to others, you matter to me more.”

This phrase suggests a special feeling towards the person you are interested in. Although it is not as deep as “you are the light of my life”, the expression is simple yet meaningful to tell someone that they mean a lot to you.

これは、日頃の感謝の気持ちだけじゃないよ
Kore wa,  higoro no kansha no kimochi dake janai yo

Which means “This is not merely a feeling of daily gratitude.”

This expression is highly effective if you want to advance your relationship. It allows the person to understand your intention and avoids putting pressure on the person receiving the confession. This phrase would be a better option than the direct approach of expressing your feelings, especially if you are unsure whether the person would like to move forward in the relationship.

手作りって、誰にでもあげるわけじゃないんだよ
Tetsukuritte, dare ni mo ageru wake janai dayo

This means that “What is handmade is not to be given to just anyone.”

You will be amazed at how often the Japanese use “implied expression” to convey their true feelings. After all, leaving your partner guessing is more interesting than outwardly saying your affection, right?

In this case, in Japan, giving a straightforward note about your handmade chocolate is necessary to win the heart of the person receiving it. With this expression only, you can provoke many thoughts inside their mind, such as “Is this a confession?” or “Does this mean they like me?” and it is more interesting than a simple “I like you.”

Valentine’s Day in Japan

Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day in Japan or not, learning the different terms for chocolate on this love-filled day is fun and engaging. Whether you buy chocolates for yourself, colleagues, or that special someone, we hope you enjoy the day.

Related Articles:

• Have a Happy Valentine’s Day in Japan With This Easy Nama Choco Recipe
• Top 10 Addicting Japanese Chocolate Under 400 Yen
• Japanese Chocolate Snacks: Win With Kit-Kat!

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day in Japan With This Easy Nama Choco Recipe

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