Valentine's Day in Japan

Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th in Japan, however it is different from the States.  Valentine's Day is all about chocolate, not going out for dinner, flowers or cards.  In fact, during this time of year, Japanese chocolate companies make half of their annual sales.

The even bigger difference is the fact that only the girls/women give chocolates to boys/men on Valentine's Day.  Apparently there was a translation error when Valentine's Day was introduced to Japan and so only the women gave chocolates!  However, in the 1980's the Japanese National Confectionary Industry Association decided to create a day for the men to return the favor to the women, White Day.  White Day is celebrated on March 14th and is named after the color of the chocolates.  There was an attempt to make White Day about giving marshmallows, but that failed.  So chocolates it is!  Men may also give other gifts, such as jewelry, clothes and accessories.  It is expected for the men to give gifts or chocolate to the women that are at least 2 or 3 times the value of what they received.

Jeff and I went to the mall recently and there was a large section devoted to Valentine's Day.  Within that section, there was an area to make your own chocolates.  Women may make their own chocolates and decorate them or buy ones already made.  What a selection of chocolates!  They have chocolates from all over the world.  There was a large price range for the different chocolates too! 

There are displays of the chocolates over the boxes so you know what is inside each box. This is a picture of the fancier chocolates, it was also very expensive. It's almost too pretty to eat, so I just took a picture.  The large red "x" over the sign means it is sold out.

We brought some candy with us from the States to give to our neighbor friends for Valentine's Day.  When we were delivering them, our neighbors gave us some chocolate candy in return.

One of our neighbors made their own chocolates.  Here is their work of art!

We decided to celebrate like we do in the States, so we all bought chocolates for each other.  (Killian was happy with his marshmallows and chocolate chips from home!)

We picked these up for Katherine and Chloe.  They are chocolates filled with honey or strawberries.  Yum yum!

Chloe is waiting patiently to try some baumkuchen ring, it's very popular here all year round.

I bought Jeff some fancy chocolates made at a hotel in Tokyo.  I figured I will only be in Japan for Valentine's Day once, so live it up and get the good stuff.  Apparently these chocolates have liquor in them, I didn't figure this out until we tried them.  (I also bought chocolates like these for my Mom!)  I was very curious to know what the green one tastes like.  Turns out it is green tea flavored, no big surprise there!

These are the chocolates Jeff got for me.  Some of my favorites from back home so I didn't miss a thing!

Recognize this chocolate?

It's a Wonka bar, but unfortunately, there was no golden ticket inside!

I hope you enjoyed reading about Valentine's Day.  I will be on the lookout for White Day chocolates and try to post pictures when I find them!

Until next time!

Hiroshima

This is written by my mom, Darlene, about her trip to Hiroshima this past August.

This is the "A-Bomb Dome" that was the former Industrial Promotion Hall.  Close the Ground Zero.

What is left of the building has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.




This is the Children's Peace Monument,

Inside the Monument is the Peace Bell.  Anyone can ring the bell and say a chant or prayer.
The sound of the bell is so sad because we all know what happened.
Please read the story below about one child victim.

Sadako thought that if she made 1,000 paper cranes, she would get better, since the crane is a Japanese symbol for longevity and happiness. The Japanese schools will always replace the paper cranes as they fade.

 

 

 

This is the Peace Mound containing the ashes of tens of thousands of people cremated on this spot.

A statue of a mother trying to protect her children.
Behind the water fountain is the Memorial Museum which tells the story and aftermath of the devastation to the city.  Even a picture of an imprint of a dark shadow on the granite steps of a bank building -  the sole remains of someone sitting there at the time.

A picture of a drum through a window at the art museum.

These are more of the paper cranes made by children at school.  They want 1,000 cranes there at all times.

Hiroshima Castle that was completely destroyed and was faithfully rebuilt.

Had to EAT!!!!!!!

I wanted one of each, but Jeff refrained me.

Jeff looked pretty darn good and composed.

Me?? It was (I think) the hottest day of my life and looked it.  This is iced coffee and was GREAT!!

On our way to Miyajima Island noted for its famous "Floating Torii".

Tame deer - No shotguns allowed!

These Japanese Ladies were always smiling, every time you looked.

No care in the world for this deer - I'm sure that he is well-fed.

Here is the famous Torii.  When the tide comes in, it gives the appearance of floating.

Behind the shrine is Momijidani Park (Maple Leaf Valley).  A cable car station that takes one up to the top of Mount Misen where there is a monkey sanctuary and lots of natural trails.
They say the scenic view is beautiful.  Jeff and I were too exhausted to try that because of the heat and humidity.

Wonder how they crossed the bridge when the wood is wet from rain.

One of the statues outside one of the temples.

A really long street of vendors.  Quite interesting on what a variety they were selling,

Now this is interesting. Read below.

We went inside a mall and we were fascinated with the way they showed off the floors.
There were ten (10) floors.

We were gone all day and got home late at night.
Jeff and I took the Bullet Train (Shinkansen).  We were on the Nozomi - the fastest and most
expensive.   It is timed to the minute for long distance journeys.  About two (2) hours back and forth each way.  Did so much walking that I had a nice size blister on my right foot.

Sayonara!!!!!!!!