Valentines Day in Japan
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113)
Fri 2008/02/15 04:39
Have heard of chocolates being given to idols but never expected to receive chocolates *from* an idol ^^;
This is Ayumi Hotta from the Primaries giving me some valentines chocolates last Monday - to the folks who asked what was in the orange bag in the 4 hours in Akihabara article - now you know ^^;
So whats Valentines day like in Japan?
Just like Christmas in Japan, Valentines day is all about the monies.
The beginnings of Valentines day in Japan started in 1936. A chocolate maker called Morozoff Limited put an ad in a magazine for "Valentine Chocolate." Valentines day then traditionally became a day where women would give chocolate to men. 25% of Japans annual chocolate consumption is consumed around Valentines day.
To make more monies from Valentines day, the Japanese invented "White Day" as an excuse for men to buy candy to give to women in return for the chocolate that they received - theres even an official White Day site.
The reason its called "White Day" is because the color of sugar (white) is the main ingredient for candy which was traditionally given on White Day - source from Wikipedia. These days however, one does not have to give candy and can be white chocolate or marshmallows but not bukkake.
The term "Giri Choco" is used to describe chocolate that is given as an obligation - like to ones superiors or boss. If you are managing ladies in Japan and receive chocolate from them then its probably not because she likes you but because she expects a pay rise come next evaluation season.
White Day takes place one month after Valentines day on the 14th of March.
This is Ayumi Hotta from the Primaries giving me some valentines chocolates last Monday - to the folks who asked what was in the orange bag in the 4 hours in Akihabara article - now you know ^^;
So whats Valentines day like in Japan?
Just like Christmas in Japan, Valentines day is all about the monies.
The beginnings of Valentines day in Japan started in 1936. A chocolate maker called Morozoff Limited put an ad in a magazine for "Valentine Chocolate." Valentines day then traditionally became a day where women would give chocolate to men. 25% of Japans annual chocolate consumption is consumed around Valentines day.
To make more monies from Valentines day, the Japanese invented "White Day" as an excuse for men to buy candy to give to women in return for the chocolate that they received - theres even an official White Day site.
The reason its called "White Day" is because the color of sugar (white) is the main ingredient for candy which was traditionally given on White Day - source from Wikipedia. These days however, one does not have to give candy and can be white chocolate or marshmallows but not bukkake.
The term "Giri Choco" is used to describe chocolate that is given as an obligation - like to ones superiors or boss. If you are managing ladies in Japan and receive chocolate from them then its probably not because she likes you but because she expects a pay rise come next evaluation season.
White Day takes place one month after Valentines day on the 14th of March.
And this is what I got from Ayumi. Tasted lovely! Hope Ayumi doesn't mind that I shared these with my wife ^^;
Going to let White Day take advantage of me and get Ayumi-chan some chocolate.
Whats valentines day like in your region? Did you give or receive anything for valentines day? Are you spending it with somebody or plan on spending it being ronery with yourself in Mc Donalds?
If you are going to be ronery, don't forget that there are plenty of gorgeous girls who are willing and waiting for you here.
Going to let White Day take advantage of me and get Ayumi-chan some chocolate.
Whats valentines day like in your region? Did you give or receive anything for valentines day? Are you spending it with somebody or plan on spending it being ronery with yourself in Mc Donalds?
If you are going to be ronery, don't forget that there are plenty of gorgeous girls who are willing and waiting for you here.
The video shot in Shibuya at the end of last year - photo coverage in this article.
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Mon 01/14 00:00 comments (50)
Happy VDay Danny!!!
(ID #72299) Posted on 2008/02/15 04:19
Valentine's Day hasn't hit the States yet (except on the East Coast I guess), but I won't be doing anything. I have no girlfriend and no girl in mind...
(ID #72300) Posted on 2008/02/15 04:28
thats sad T_T
(ID #203032) Posted on 2008/06/03 02:48
Email & Network Support/Administration
I'll be "ronery but not in McDonald's. Somehow 2D girls just don't cut it for me. Oh well, It gets easier after the third year of being single and by the sixth you forgot all about it
(ID #72301) Posted on 2008/02/15 04:33
You are one lucky boy, Danny.
(ID #72302) Posted on 2008/02/15 04:35
NEET (no, student...)
I gave, but never received... no, I got few... but.... (T_T)...
(ID #72303) Posted on 2008/02/15 04:37
Roney....I'm so Roney....I have nobody....for my own....0ooooooooooo!!!! Uhg....Chicken nuggets....wait for me i'll be there for u *sniff* I guess after the sixth year it should be easy. damn i really work too much haha
(ID #72304) Posted on 2008/02/15 04:37
Online Shop
Wow, how lucky you are!!! And how ronely I feel now >.>
(ID #72305) Posted on 2008/02/15 04:54
Student
Valentines day!!! I could say that I am definitely not ronery.
(ID #72306) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:04
Administrative Assistant
As I like to say (well, not like per se - but fitting) HAPPY SINGLEHOOD AWARENESS DAY EVERYONE!
(ID #72307) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:11
Software Engineer
I got me some choco last night .... none today from the office girls though.
(ID #72308) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:17
radical anime fan in Singapore; starting to freeze up. Mmm, end-of-year weather. (Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20)
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
Wow, those chocolates look delicious AND expensive...
(ID #72309) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:22
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42)
me got nothing but additional workload today. (T-T) but still got time to check up on DannyChoo.com. ^^
(ID #72310) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:28
Leisure Consultant, Writer, Webmaster
I usually get choco but I don't even celebrate Valentine's Day. People take it seriously though. I get something from women regularly so it's no big deal to me.
(ID #72311) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:34
So ronery.. ;_; Though here in Brazil, Valentine's day is actually called "lovers day". As in girlfriend/boyfriend day. As in, the only ones exchanging presents (and it's not obligatory choco), are real girlfriends and boyfriends.... husbands and wives usually too. As in, if Ayumi-chan gave choco to Danny here in Brazil, he's be sleeping with the dogs by now, if you know what I mean.
(ID #72312) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:51
got my Valentines Day "gift" from Amazon Japan today. Happy Valentines Day?
(ID #72313) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:54
Student, Spiral Warrior
Valentine's doesn't seem to be a big deal here in Taibei. I think there's one restaurant in the night market offering free chicken soup to couples or something to that effect.
(ID #72314) Posted on 2008/02/15 05:55
anime/cosplay events organizer
wow! you sure are lucky to receive chocolates from an idol ^____^ i'll be having a ronery valentine and spending it with my 2D girls ^^;;; btw, for those who didn't received any chocolates from someone or didn't received any love on both Valentines and While Day, there's an event for us called Black Day where it is celebrated on April 14th. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Day HAPPY SINGLE AWARENESS DAY EVERYONE!!! XDDD
(ID #72315) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:05
Oof, thanks for mentioning that about bukkake on white day, or my plans might have turned out a liiiittle awkward...
(ID #72316) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:07
Director/代表取締役
Martin Wandering, LOL at free chicken soup on Valentines day.
(ID #72317) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:13
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
kawaii chocolates! XD
(ID #72318) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:15
Part human, part student, 100% loser
LOL, my friend told that he had received chocolates from a girl but it was actually his...
(ID #72319) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:17
Oh la la Danny-o, that musta made your day. I can almost see you grinnin thru your stormtrooper helmet. I luv getting stuff from girls; the evil stare from my gf afterwards, no so much. I learned awhile back that in Japan, women give chocolates to guys who they admire in some fashion for Valentines. I think we should adopt that here! Me and my miss will be spending a special night together. Don't wait up. Oh, and on White Day dude. Make sure your wife's chocolate box is MUCH BIGGER than Ayumi's. Trust. ;-)
(ID #72320) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:18
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
man danny those chocolates look freaking 100% DEEELICOUS. the only thing i got was a small chocolate bar [_[
(ID #72321) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:30
I'm sure many would kill to be in your shoes Danny, receiving chocolates from an idol and what not. Over here in North America, we don't have White Day, and Valentines Day is usually the other way around, where the guy gives something to the girl. But that is slowly changing in recent years as gender roles are slowly reversing. In my opinion, Valentines Day is a bit overrated, guys like me don't really care. I mean if you're in love, who gives a damn what day it is. Anyway, I'll be taking my girl out tonight to see a show, followed by dinner, and then a night hotel (too bad no love hotels in Canada)...that ought to satisfy her for awhile. Word of advice, 3D girlfriends are expensive -__-, 2D girls are not.
(ID #72322) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:41
I remember getting valentine cards in grade school, but pretty much everyone gave them out to everyone. It got kind of confusing, because you had to sort out the obligatory cards from the 'other' cards. Though I was shy then, so it really didn't matter. Now, I'm not as shy, but I don't get any valentines!
(ID #72323) Posted on 2008/02/15 06:44
Deathseeker
The things I would do and give to receive chocolates from Ayumi...
(ID #72325) Posted on 2008/02/15 07:33
Living and working in Japan... Having success in business... Receiving chocolates from an idol... Now you can die Danny ;)
(ID #72326) Posted on 2008/02/15 07:35
Game Designer & 2D Artist
My valentine just ruined by a news of a moslem faction in Indonesia who says that celebrating valentine's day is haram (dunno the english world) because the celebration always involves parties and getting drunk. I mean WTF? No disrespect to all the moslem out there, I just hate that particular faction (or any other) that just being ignorant in grant scheme of things and try to look good in front of the un educated masses
(ID #72327) Posted on 2008/02/15 07:45
Wow lucky =O and those like some high-class chocolates too. What are the flavours? xD
(ID #72328) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:03
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 19:42)
ahahah I like how you slipped that in "but not bukkake" those are indeed some high class chocolates they look beautiful. Valentine's day has yet to roll around here but I expect nothing to happen :( Happy SAD lol
(ID #72330) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:07
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
That's some nice looking Pierre Ledent chocolates there! Going to spend Valentine's Day with a female friend (3D) at a nice restaurant ^^; I wonder if anybody received figures or anime/otaku related stuff *during* valentine? @Danny: Anything special for your wife? Or just going to eat good food?
(ID #72331) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:15
Director/代表取締役
windbell, We decided to dine at home today as there is a load of goodies to eat at home and go out on the weekend instead. "goes off to play with newly arrived MacBook Air"
(ID #72332) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:21
I give cards to my friends, send text messages to those who live far and my whole family goes to restaurant to have fun. My Valentine´s not ronery at all. ^^
(ID #72334) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:45
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Nothing much happening for this year valentine for me. Now where this that pair of coins and D.I.Y spellbook for accidentally getting trap with a girl in a storage shed ^^.
(ID #72335) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:47
University Student.
Another ronery valentine's day for me >
(ID #72336) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:50
University Student.
My comments got eaten up!! To add on to the previous one which was "eaten", since I'm working night shift for valentine's day, I guess that would take my mind off the ronerliness? Valentine's Day here is mainly the guy burning his wallet to shower the girl with love (not bukkake though)... prefer the Japanese's version though..
(ID #72337) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:54
Secondary Student~
YAY! I'm out of the category of ronery today!! I recieved some homemade cookie, candies and random craps. Planning to give them m&m chocos tomorrow(Total Defence Day for here, so they become Total Defence chocolate?), need to reciprocate ^^
(ID #72338) Posted on 2008/02/15 08:59
Protecting Princess Sakura
for me.. Valentines day is like a Normal Day.. ^_^ nothing special At all ^_^ because as usual i don't actually give gifts because i don't have such things like GF to give it to...(anyway i just have to give something to my Relatives ^_^) and i don't receive anything at all(In my life.. Just even Once ^_^) haha actually this valentines day 08 is pretty fun because i just found a new anime to watch haha ^_^
(ID #72339) Posted on 2008/02/15 09:23
Protecting Princess Sakura
for me.. Valentines day is like a Normal Day.. ^_^ nothing special At all ^_^ because as usual i don't actually give gifts because i don't have such things like GF to give it to...(anyway i just have to give something to my Relatives ^_^) and i don't receive anything at all(In my life.. Just even Once ^_^) haha actually this valentines day 08 is pretty fun because i just found a new anime to watch haha ^_^.. But talking about V-day in japan is different haha ^_^ it's gonna be awesome! ^_^
(ID #72340) Posted on 2008/02/15 09:24
Didn't expect to get chocolates and cookies from the girls in my class ^^ So I guess I'm not that "ronery" anymore XD~ But damn, you're one lucky guy Danny!!
(ID #72341) Posted on 2008/02/15 09:39
Valentine day here, men give flowers (usually rose) to women. But some women also give chocolates to men. Today in my school, there was full of flowers and heart stickers. Everyone looked very enjoyed. I also enjoyed looking all of them. Well, I got some heart stickers too but I chose ronery because those aren't what I've wanted and they weren't sent from who I wanted. In fact, They're men who have to send rose to women so I can't complain... Wish Valentine here were same as in Japan...
(ID #72342) Posted on 2008/02/15 09:53
lol i spend my valentines day going to school & tuitions T_T and now im having running nose. =(
(ID #72343) Posted on 2008/02/15 09:58
None today... Friend was kidnapped by her idiot brother (and making her pay for dinner to boot). We'll make up this weekend.
(ID #72344) Posted on 2008/02/15 10:29
Test Engineer
I just spend the day had luch with buddies at Sushi-King LOL. But saw couples had lunch there. To make more LULz, me and pal shared a Valentine set :p Oh, I dont celebrate Valentine due to 1) im moslem 2)RONERY ;__;
(ID #72347) Posted on 2008/02/15 10:44
.NET/Web Developer
You don't have an option for nothing given and received but not ronery. heheh! I don't spend valentines day and my gf doesn't mind. I don't find valentines day anything special that's all. ^^ So yeah. heheh. Some people just seems to make such a big deal out of it when you can do the same any day of the year. XD That's what I think anyways.
(ID #72348) Posted on 2008/02/15 10:47
Today I did my report and didn't have any plan to go out. I receive one chocolate from my friend. I also bought the Emily Strange wallet as present for myself. It's very cute and the word on the wallet is outstanding!
(ID #72349) Posted on 2008/02/15 11:04
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
another ronery valentine's day for me... :-(
(ID #72350) Posted on 2008/02/15 11:34
Valentines day just keeps reminding me of how bad I wan't a girlfirend sometimes, another ronery day for me :/
(ID #72351) Posted on 2008/02/15 11:38
yet another ronery valentine.... @catz: oRLY? I didn't know that
(ID #72352) Posted on 2008/02/15 11:42
lol Playboy Danny xD Completey opposite of what you'd expect from an "Otaku" =] But, more power to you! Anyway... CC.! Marry meh!
(ID #72353) Posted on 2008/02/15 11:50
Well it isn't a real tradition in Germany, but it has become more usual than 5 years ago. Have seen a few couples with roses today one had a red balloon shaped like a hearth.
(ID #72354) Posted on 2008/02/15 12:09
Afro-ed Student
YES! I am a step above today! I GOT A VALENTINES GIFT! But it's really just Giri-choco (´-ѡ-`;;) Until I get a girlfriend, it's ronery for me~
(ID #72356) Posted on 2008/02/15 12:15
I just heard on TV today that a good chunk of Americans send themselves Valentine's Day gifts so as not to appear unwanted/loser-ish. Haha .. what should I get myself this V-Day? LOL!
(ID #72357) Posted on 2008/02/15 12:28
College student and soldier
I mailed off a card, but that's about it.
(ID #72358) Posted on 2008/02/15 12:50
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
ronery valentines. except that my dad's birthday is today.^^
(ID #72359) Posted on 2008/02/15 13:06
Getting images of Darth Vader kid at McDonalds in another post. Lol. Happy Valentines Day!
(ID #72360) Posted on 2008/02/15 13:09
Wannabe Designer
Oh hey, that right... it was V-day today, I was more interested in Season 2 of Life on Mars kicking off on ABC1. Yeah, ronry on here as well. Having a few mates 'round to watch said premiere, eat pizza and sink stubbies probably doesn't count as "not ronry".
(ID #72361) Posted on 2008/02/15 13:39