The season of love is coming!
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, we thought it would be the perfect time to provide you with a useful guide on Valentine’s Day traditions, where to find ideal gifts and where to go on the special day.
Valentine’s Day in Japan
Before you start buying presents, it is important to know that Valentine’s Day works a little differently in Japan, compared to the rest of the world. On Valentine’s Day, women are expected to give gifts to men that they share a close relationship with, regardless of whether they are a partner or a close friend.
The most common gift that women give on this special day is chocolates. From the middle of January, confectionary shops and supermarkets are stacked with different chocolate selection boxes. Many women also take the time to make their own chocolates or other sweet treats to give their close male relations.
On the 14th March, women can expect to receive gifts back from those who they gave gifts to on Valentine’s Day. Known as White Day, this is the day that men give back either chocolates or other gifts such as jewelry or perfume.
Although this is how Valentine’s Day is traditionally celebrated in Japan, you can choose to celebrate the day, following the Western way, and give gifts to your close girl friends or family members.
Whichever way you decide to celebrate, you will still probably want to save time wandering around different shops in the city to find the ideal gift or box of chocolates. Keep on reading to see just some of our top picks for the best Valentine’s Gifts for 2024:
Where to Shop
For chocolate and other sweet treats
Goddiva
This Belgian-based chocolate company is one of the most popular chocolate companies in Japan. For Valentine’s Day 2024, Goddiva is selling a special range of selection boxes, all in different sizes and with their pink-coloured packaging.
Not only are the chocolates inside these boxes limited edition, but the chocolates flavors themselves are quite unique. Filled with fruit-flavoured chocolates, which are part of the brand’s Fruits Basket Collection, this charming box is a sweet gift to give to someone you love. If you are looking for something other than individual bits of chocolate, the Valentine’s Day collection also includes chocolate covered biscuits and small gateau. Luckily, there is a gift box for every budget – with prices starting around ¥700 and going up to ¥12,000.
Pierre Marcolini
Another luxury chocolate brand from Belgium is Pierre Marcolini. This year, the theme of this brand’s Valentine’s Day collection is “release your heart” and includes heart-shaped chocolates in different and exciting new flavours. These boxes are slightly more expensive, starting at around ¥3,000, meaning they may be a better option for those buying for a significant other.
Plaza
Plaza, a lifestyle store which sells a variety of goods, is also selling Valentine’s Day chocolates. These are perfect for anyone looking for novelty chocolates. From Snoopy-themed chocolates to a big slab of chocolate in the shape of ‘the perfect boyfriend’, there is a great selection to choose from. All range in price, with some costing less than ¥1,000.
Supermarkets
Different supermarket chains like Seiyu and Peacocks have special Valentine’s chocolates. Similar to Plaza, these supermarkets also have some character-themed chocolates. Some popular chocolates, which you can easily get from the supermarket, include Melty Kiss and Sweet Tirol Cup, each cost less than ¥1,000.
Make Your Own!
As mentioned, it is common that individuals actually make their own chocolates to give on Valentine’s Day. If you are someone who enjoys this kind of thing, you may be looking for somewhere to get all the utensils as well as some cute Valentine’s themed packaging.
Currently, 3Coins are selling everything you need to make your own cute candies and chocolates. From pastel-coloured mixing bowls to cake boxes, this is the perfect place to go if you are wanting to make special Valentine treats on a budget.
Other Gifts
Disney Store
For 2024, Disney has released a special Valentine’s range in collaboration with Godiva chocolates. In this collection, you will find pouches with a special Mickey Mouse design on, filled with Goddiva chocolates. There are also chocolate-inspired plushies and keyrings of Winnie the Pooh and some other characters, which are said to be quickly selling out.
Notably, all these items can only be bought in Japan, meaning they would make a rare and special gift for any Disney fan or collector. We recommend going to the flagship store in Shinjuku as they have the most stock.
Disney is also selling another Valentine’s Day plushie which is of Stitch holding a heart with a romantic message on.
Sanrio Store
Godiva is certainly a popular brand to collaborate with this year, as Sanrio also has a special collaboration. This collection includes plushies of Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi and Cinnamoroll, dressed up in Godiva-themed outfits and a box of different chocolates. Unsurprisingly, these plushies are not the cheapest, costing ¥6,660 for the plushie set or ¥4,950 for the keyring set. Similar to Disney, these are limited edition so make for a rather luxurious and thoughtful gift.
Some Sanrio stores are also selling some normal plushies for Valentine’s Day too. Most people love receiving a cute plushie so this could be a good choice for someone who is stuck on ideas. There are also boxes of exclusive Sanrio-themed Valentine’s treats avaliable.
Jill Stuart
Jill Stuart is a much loved brand, especially among young women. For this Valentine’s Day, they are releasing a special fragrance called ‘Chocolate Cosmos Noel Rouge’, which has a mellow but rich scent of cacao and flowers. This rather romantic scent would be perfect to give to a partner or a close friend. This limited-edition fragrance comes in a set with a repair hair oil and costs ¥5,390. There is a hand cream and melty lip balm in the collection as well.
Aoyama Flower Market
Receiving flowers from someone you love is one of the nicest feelings. This Valentine’s season, Aoyama Flower Market is selling some gorgeous bouquets – made up of pink, purple and white flowers. You can even add a heart-shaped message as well. Currently, the most popular bouquet is the Glacé Valentine Mini Bouquet, which comes with a box of chocolate from La Maison du Chocolat. This particular bouquet cost ¥6,655 but there are some which cost just under ¥5,000.
Where to go on Valentine’s Day
Now you have the gifts, you might be looking for somewhere to go.
One romantic and common date location is the amusement park. There are a few in and around, with some of the most popular being Disneyland, Yomiuriland and Tokyo Dome City.
However, we recommend venturing to Yokohama and going to the iconic Cosmo World. This amusement park has always been one of the most popular places for many young couples going on a date. Not only does the amusement park look amazing at night, being all brightly lit up, but there are a lot of other things to do in the surrounding area.
You could opt for something more classic and a nice restaurant for dinner. It is no secret that Tokyo is filled with a variety of amazing places to eat. However, if you are looking for somewhere which will impress your date, the Blue Room at Tokyo Edition, Hacienda del Cielo Modern Mexicano or Rooftop Bar Andaz, are good options.
For those who want to keep things more low-key, you could treat your date to a trip to one of Tokyo’s nicer cinemas such as Toho Cinema in Roppongi Hills or 109 Cinemas Premium Shinjuku.
