Coming from outside of Japan, I was used to buying a nice gift for Valentine’s Day for my girlfriend. Sometimes I would get something nice from her, but definitely I needed to make sure that what I bought for her was nice or else it might be a really chilly February and March…

But… in Japan, the gifts are for the guys – there is no need to buy anything! In Japan, the girls give gifts to the guys – boyfriends, dads, co-workers, friends – basically for anyone they want, including other girls. For most people, like co-workers and friends, it would be a little chocolate or other type of sweets. But for boyfriends, you can expect a very nice gift (a nice shirt, nice jacket, nice sweater). It probably won’t be something you want – it will be something she wants you to have or something she thinks you need.

Or, you may get a BIG box of chocolates. However, be warned… don’t assume the BIG box of chocolate is all for you. Yes you may have a FEW pieces out of the box… but you better not forget that your BIG box of chocolate is meant to be “shared”!!

Japan sounds like a great place for guys right? Well, your turn to do the gift giving comes a month later on March 14th – White Day. Basically, it is the day that you need to buy something nice for your girlfriend – nice clothes, accessories, cookies, etc.

Of course, another BIG box of chocolate is always quite appreciated. But if you do decide to give a gift of chocolate in Japan to your girlfriend, please follow the rules:
1) The box should be bigger than what you received on February 14th
2) The chocolate must be a brand name
- Bonus points for something expensive and French or Belgian
- Double bonus points if it is expensive and French or Belgian and a specialty brand you’ve never heard of before (don’t worry she’ll know it)
3) Sharing is prohibited for chocolate received on White Day

So there you have it – one person’s take on Valentine’s Day in Japan. If anyone else has any other information or details, please share them!