Today, Japan is a major producer of chocolate, the varieties on offer are endless and deeply ingrained in popular culture.
On Valentine's Day, girls traditionally present chocolates to their favored boy, on White Day (March 14th) boys reciprocate with their own chocolate gifts to the respective girl.
There are chocolates that students present to each other before exams, often inscribed with personal well-wishing messages. Manufacturers adapted quickly to that custom and leave blank spaces on the packages for exactly that purpose.
Add to that an abundance of imported chocolates, mainly Belgian and Swiss, and Japan becomes a chocolate wonderland.
Foreign visitors took notice. Soon, some of the most original Japanese chocolates became favorites in the West as well. Hard to find favorites, that is. Typically, those craving the treats need to rely on friends visiting Japan to buy them a few packages, carrying them back home in their suitcases.
Before going into the specifics on the most iconic Japanese chocolates, both in Japan and oversees, let's have a brief look at the history of Japanese chocolate.
