Learn About Japan > Japan Through the Year > Cultural Holidays > White Day (March 14)

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Cultural Holidays
- Calendars in Japan
- Fortune Calendar (Rokuyō)
- Events of the New Year's Period: Matsunouchi and Koshōgatsu
- Bean Throwing Day or Setsubun (February 3)
- Valentine’s Day (February 14)
- Doll Festival (March 3)
- White Day (March 14)
- Cherry Blossom Viewing Season or Hanami (late March to early April)
- Boys' Day, Children's Day, or Tango no Sekku (May 5)
- Mother’s Day (second Sunday in May)
- Father’s Day (third Sunday in June)
- Star Festival or Tanabata (July 7)
- Summer Greetings or Shochū Mimai (late July to early August)
- Summer Gift-Giving Season or Ochūgen
- Obon
- Seven-Five-Three or Shichigosan (November 15)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Winter Gift Giving Season or Oseibo
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A confectionary prepares for White Day
Photo from Goko Inc. Website.
White Day (March 14)
March 14th is White Day, when men make a return gift of chocolate to the women who gave them chocolate on Valentine’s Day. White Day was created by the confectionary industry after the establishment of Valentine’s Day. In March of 1980, the first White Day campaign was launched by confectionary companies under the slogan of “Answer her love on White Day.” Since then, White Day has gradually become the day when men who received chocolate on Valentine’s Day can return the favor.
While chocolates are the primary gifts on Valentine’s Day, White Day gifts may vary. Candies and cookies are the most popular White Day’s gifts, but some men give items such as jewelry, scarves, or handkerchiefs.
Valentine’s Day and White Day at the workplace help keep office relations working smoothly, so people are careful in choosing what gift to give in return. Many men seem to give more expensive gifts than they received. Sometimes, wives go shopping for White Day gifts for husbands who may not be good at selecting gifts for women.
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