Ah, Tokyo, the vibrant city that never sleeps. But did you know that amidst its bustling streets, there’s a unique cultural tradition that might pique your interest? Let me introduce you to the Japanese way of celebrating Valentine’s Day and White Day, where giving and receiving sweets play a pivotal role.

The Give and Take of Japanese Culture

In Japanese culture, maintaining balance in relationships is crucial. This value sets the stage for the Valentine’s Day tradition in Japan, where women give chocolate to men. But wait, there’s more! On March 14th, known as White Day, men return the favor by giving sweets to women. Typically, cookies and “white-colored” treats are the norm, but people often put their own spin on this tradition. Some might choose to go out for a special dinner or even gift a small piece of jewelry.

The Sweet Types of Love

On Valentine’s Day, women usually give two types of chocolate: 本命チョコ (honmei choko) meaning “real feeling” chocolate, and 義理チョコ (giri choko) meaning obligation chocolate. Honmei chocolate is reserved for someone you genuinely like or are currently dating. On the other hand, giri choko is an obligation to give chocolate to the men around you, such as classmates or coworkers, without any romantic intentions. Although giving obligation chocolate is not mandatory, it is considered a nice gesture.

A Chocolate-Covered Workplace

The expectations surrounding Valentines and White Day can vary depending on where you work. In some companies, employees are expected to give relatively expensive, yet small, boxes of chocolate to their coworkers on Valentine’s Day. Imagine giving out 10 to 15 of these boxes, and it could easily cost you 10,000 yen (around 100 USD). Keep in mind that most of these chocolates are obligation chocolates!

The Price of Return

Now, brace yourself for White Day. In certain social circles or companies, there’s an unspoken rule that men have to match or exceed the value of the presents they received on Valentine’s Day. This can serve as a budget gauge for their White Day gifts. For instance, if you received 10 small boxes of obligation chocolates on Valentine’s Day, be prepared to spend more than 150 USD in total to return presents to each person. Recently, there has been a trend of giving small bottles of lotion, candles, or other alternatives to candy. So, if a woman gave out a lot of chocolates on Valentine’s Day, she might receive a couple of nice, small presents on White Day.

When Tradition Becomes Extreme

Believe it or not, some companies have actually banned Valentine’s and White Day exchanges altogether. Why, you ask? Well, people were spending an astonishing 300-400 USD on candy for their bosses and coworkers! In certain industries, there is immense pressure to buy high-end chocolates and candy. It’s not just about the taste; the packaging and brand name hold significance when giving and receiving gifts. It can be somewhat embarrassing to show up with mid-priced chocolate in a financial or elite company where everyone is buying Godiva or other high-end brands. So, due to the peer pressure in such places, Valentines is outlawed, and only the rebellious few continue to celebrate it.

The Candy that Speaks

On the flip side, honmei chocolate serves as a semi-subtle confession of love. According to my friends and some magazine articles, the type of sweets a man gives back to a woman on White Day can reflect his feelings for her.

All in all, the Valentine’s Day and White Day exchanges in Japan might seem needlessly complicated. Too many rules, not enough candy-eating! But hey, that’s the beauty of cultural traditions. They’re intricate, charming, and sometimes bewildering. Tokyo, with its vibrant spirit, embraces these traditions and adds a touch of its own uniqueness. Next time you find yourself in the heart of Tokyo, don’t forget to indulge in the sweetness of this fascinating tradition.

Find out more about Japanese culture and traditions on Fecomic!