But in Japan, the idea is opposite. It is almost like an obligation for women to give a chocolate gift to men on Valentine’s Day.
The origin of this custom can be traced back to 1950s when the chocolate shop named “Morozoff” first introduced the Valentine’s Day as the occasion to express the love in Japan.
After that, the department stores and the confectionery stores targeted the women, and started to sell the chocolate as the special gift of the Valentine day.
Since then, the custom of giving chocolate from women to men has been penetrated throughout Japan.
Now, the Valentine in Japan has been more than just expressing love.
The chocolate can be divided into 3 types depending on whom you give.
“Honmei (true love)” chocolate
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Honmei chocolate is usually hand-made. Most of women make a great effort to make a tasty one so that you express how much you love, and show how well you cook to the man you love.
“Giri (obligation)” chocolate
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Usually, women buy giri choco in department stores.
“Tomo (friend)” chocolate
![Retina ab8a1ac5 7b25 4e09 baaa e7ed7b24bbbe](https://wasabi-singapore.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/topic_item/image/17648/retina_ab8a1ac5-7b25-4e09-baaa-e7ed7b24bbbe.jpg)
Tomo chocolate is usually hand-made, it is not necessary to be chocolate. You can make other types of sweets such as macarons and cakes.
How to recognize Honmei and Giri Choco ?
![Retina 19ea47667fc769b06d74f5b5118cb744 s](https://wasabi-singapore.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/topic_item/image/18635/retina_19ea47667fc769b06d74f5b5118cb744_s.jpg)
The difference between “Honmei” and “Giri” is that people don’t make serious preparations when offering giri choco.
Also it is likely that people offer giri choco in front of others. As for honmei choco, people usually offer them privately. Also, honmei choco are more likely to be costly or to be homemade.