Japan’s Chocolatey Love Affair (2024)

FAQs

What is the chocolate tradition in Japan? ›

History. On Valentine's Day in Japan, giri choco is inexpensive chocolate that women give to male co-workers and friends to show appreciation and respect as opposed to honmei choco, chocolate that is given to romantic partners.

In Mesoamerica, the passion for chocolate was rooted in the notion of courtly love, where it was used as a symbol of affection. This idea has continued to modern times, with heart-shaped boxes of chocolates being used to express love and admiration.

White Day is celebrated annually on March 14, one month after Valentine's Day, when people give reciprocal gifts to those who gave them gifts on Valentine's Day. It began in Japan in 1978; its observance has spread to several other East Asian nations like China, Taiwan, South Korea and countries worldwide.

Tomo Choco, hom*o Choco, and Yuri Choco

While giri choco and honmei choco are the two most common types of chocolate given on Valentine's Day in Japan, there are a few other types as well. When chocolate is given between friends, it is called tomo choco, or "friendship" chocolate.

This tradition began in 1958, when a Japanese chocolate company proclaimed Valentine's Day "a day for girls to give guys chocolate and tell them that they love them." Today, women often give chocolate not only to the object of their affection, but also to their boss and colleagues at work.

In Japan, where it's believed to have originated, White Day is meant to be a day for lovers (typically men) to give gifts (typically chocolates or sweets) to their partners (typically women) who previously gave them gifts on Valentine's Day, as a gesture of reciprocation.

Chocolate has been associated with love and desire largely because of its delicious taste and its ability to delight the senses. In addition, it is believed that certain compounds in cocoa, such as phenylethylamine, can produce feelings of euphoria and happiness, which has reinforced its link to romantic emotions.

From at least the time of the Aztecs, chocolate has been seen as an aphrodisiac. So it's reasonable to assume that it has been connected to love's dedicated day of celebration for many centuries.

Eating Dark Chocolate releases Phenylethylamine and Serotonin. The chemical Phenylethylamine a chemical much like amphetamine is released in the brain when individuals feel love. The release of which is helped along by Serotonin, the combination of the increased levels of these chemicals induce feelings of love.

Celebrated every 14 March – one month after Valentine's – it works as a mirror image to the holiday it precedes. On Valentine's Day in Japan, women give chocolates to the men in their lives. A month later, on White Day, all the men who received presents must return the favour.

What does wearing all white mean in Japan? ›

The color white, or shiro in Japanese is considered a sacred color of the gods. It is the symbol of spiritual and physical purity. Since old times, the Emperor of Japan used to dress in white clothes for the main Shinto rituals.

Consider whether the girl has reciprocated similar gestures in the past. If she has exchanged small tokens of appreciation or has a history of friendly gestures, a chocolate gift is likely to be well-received. On the other hand, if your interactions have been more formal, it's advisable to tread carefully.

The sweetness of chocolate creates a gentle and enticing impression, reflecting the tenderness and intimacy you want to share with your crush. Additionally, giving chocolate can create shared moments of enjoyment, bringing happiness and joy to your relationship.

Meiji. Saving the best till last, Meiji is well known as the country's most popular chocolate brand.

It's often shortened to 「チョコ」(choko). It means the same thing in Japanese as it does in English- a sweet treat made from cacao! The pronunciation of "chocolate" in Japanese is "chokoreeto" (チョコレート). The meaning of "chocolate" in Japanese is "チョコレート" (chokoreeto).

A separate, less popular "White Day," on March 14, was created for men to return the favor. The 1980s brought another twist. It became expected that women would buy and hand out chocolates not just to friends or loved ones, but to male co-workers and bosses. The practice came to be known as "obligation chocolates."

Cacao ceremonies originally served as religious rituals for the ancient Native Mesoamerican cultures. Used as a tool to lift the spiritsof the soon to be sacrificed in the Aztec kingdom, required in the marriage ceremony due to its link to fertility, and even a part of the baptism ceremony and the birth of the child.

Candy means I like you. This is because candy is something you hold in your mouth and enjoy the sweet taste of over longer periods of time. This is something that will please someone if they like you.

Nama in Japanese means raw. Here it refers to pureness and freshness. Nama chocolate is a type of ganache, which is made from a mix of melted cacao and fresh cream. As the mixture solidifies, the block of chocolate is cut into pieces and sprinkled with cocoa powder on top.