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On February 14th, in western cultures, men give gifts to their love ones.

It is different in Japan. Women give chocolates to their love ones.

The chocolates for one’s true love (one’s boyfriend / husband / crush) are called “Honmei Choco”.

And there are “Giri-choco” (obligation chocolate) and “Tomo-choco” (friendship chocolate).

　

 

On March 14th, “White day”, ones who received chocolates, they give return gifts such as marshmallow and or anything nice.

 

Do you know how these “Valentine Chocolate” and “White day” started in Japan?

Why do we give each other chocolates?

There are several theories. I’d like to introduce one of them.

February 12th, 1936,

an advertisement of Morozoff Ltd. in Kobe City, Japan said that “Give chocolates on February 14th” in the English-language newspapers which used to be published in Tokyo.

This is the beginning of giving each other chocolates in Japan.

 

In 1992, because of the advertisement of Morozoff Ltd, a love of statue was given to Kobe City by Terni in Italy.

 

In 1958, at Isetan Department Main Store in Shinjuku in Japan, “Mary Chocolate” had the first valentine’s sale in Japanese shopping malls.

However, they could not sell much, they sold only 5 bars of 30 yen chocolates and 5 pieces of 4 yen cards.

 

In 1960, Morinaga & Co., Ltd. in Japan promoted the sales of chocolates through advertisement and media.

 

In 1965, Isetan department store had a valentine's fair.

 

In 1968, Sony Plaza had a valentine fair. In 60s, the chocolates were not given as the main gifts, they were still something extra to give.

 

In 1970, among elementary, junior high and high school girls, giving chocolate to boys became common.

 

In 1977, a Japanese confectioner in Fukuoka Prefecture, Ishimuramanseido Co.,Ltd started the “Marshmallow Day” to promote marshmallows as return gifts for the valentine's gifts.

 

In 1979, other confectioners started calling it “White Day” and it started to become common in Japan.

This is the history of Valentine's Day in Japan.

It is always nice to give and or receive gifts.

 

Did you give anything to someone special on Valentine's Day?

 

 

T.F

Usually, many days are cloudy in Fukui's winter. Because of this, the blue sky which sometimes appears between the clouds lets us appreciate it even morel!

Did you know that in any years end with "6" (such as 1996, 2006, 2016, etc.),

it is likely to have cold winters?

This information is based on a probabilistic fact.

 

It is 2016 this year so we are more likely to have a cold one.

 

Since 1947 whenever years were ended with "6", there have been

5 extremely cold winters,

2 usual cold ones and

no warm ones.

 

Although it has just snowed in Tokyo area today,

compare to every winter, we may have felt and realized that

it has not snowed much and it has not been that cold so far.

It has been a warm winter.

This is an effect of El Nino phenomenon that this winter has not been that cold comparing to our usual winter.

 

Do you know what El Nino phenomenon is?

Roughly speaking, El Nino phenomenon causes an abnormal weather.

It is because of the effect of wind around the equator of the Pacific Ocean.

And this wind makes the temperature of the ocean around south America goes higher.

This higher temperatue makes the weather strange.

 

It occurs once in a few years and it goes on for about a half year or a year.

 

When El Nino phenomenon occurs, in Japan, it tends to prolong the rainy season,

it is likely to have a cool summer and it is warm in winter as you may be feeling it.

In Europe, it rains in summer and flood occurs.

In Africa, it does not rain much and it occurs a drought.

 

It is not proven 100% yet that the global warming has something to do with this phenomenon.

 

As a person originally from Fukui which usually snows so much in winter,

I always expect and become ready for a freezing winter.

So it is very strange to experience this warm winter.

 

How is the weather like in your cities?

 

Is it colder

or warmer?

 

 

T.F