Valentine’s Day in Japan has a bit of a twist to it to what some of us from the West might be use to...only the women give presents to men! Women need to wait for White Day for their presents. The history of the thinking behind this was that Japanese women were too shy to express their love and that Valentine’s Day could provide a great opportunity for them to do this. I am not sure the shyness part is true as much nowadays but the tradition still holds. Traditionally women give chocolates but the yearly ritual has expanded to more elaborate gifts as well. The chocolate companies in Japan have used this to boost their sales with so much success that they actually do half of their annual sales in the week leading up to Valentine’s day! Men are suppose to return the gifts to the women a month later on March 14th on “White Day”.

I love buying my wife chocolates so I celebrate both holidays...but if you forgot to get something for your wife turn it around on her and say you are just being cultural and ask her where your gift is....

My wife and I exchanged gifts tonight as we are both very busy in the morning. My sweet wife got me two photography books in addition to chocolate to add to my growing library.

I imagine this will be a common scene at the train stations tomorrow night...

The view from my office window...

This is really neat. At Roppongi Hills before you drive down into the Parking Garage you stop over this plate and it measures your car's height, width, lenght and weight to make sure you fit in the automated parking garage.

You would think this would not need to be said...but please don't leave your people in the car. You need to take them with you when you go. Your pets as well...

I always forget to spend my change and I can end up with a lot of change in my pocket at the end of the day. I remember I paid a highway toll once with 1 yens... (a toll is around 700 yen in Japan). The toll guy was really annoyed.

Back with the next installment of 'Big America'...

Las Vegas style....

Movie concession stand in Japan...

The rewards of a long day...

It is a little hard to be afraid with this car or bicycle behind you...

ECO-Delivery in Japan...not sure if this has shown up in other cities but in Japan a lot of the local 'Fedex' type companies are doing their deliveries by bicycles.

I find such humor in the excessive no parking signs. It is a bit cultural where they just keep putting up more signs to continue to politely tell people not to park.