Valentine no Hi

       Not a day for lovers as much as a sales opportunity for chocolate makers, Valentine's Day has become a fixture on the Japanese calendar. Women present boxes of chockies to all the men in their world on or about February 14th, while men reciprocate on so-called "White Day" a month later. For male co-workers there is giri choco ("obligatory chocolate") available for about $10. Beribboned boxes are sold in supermarkets, department stores and temporary  markets that pop up around town.  Shujin (my husband) came home from work with an armload of tempting boxes full of gorgeous shapes.

       Brands are uniquely named as in Sutton East: Traditional and dignified old streets.Just like the good old time, we make it simple but strong.  I presented Nestle's Crunch to the guys at the exercise desk of the Tokyo American Club, and received a bow as acknowledgement. My nihongo sensei (Japanese teacher) bought her husband an assortment of crackers, a lower cal option. This afternoon at Conran's, Terence's place in the Marunouchi part of town, shoppers examined imported sweets from Cadbury's.

       After a soggy Saturday we celebrated the day at a plum tree festival (Ume Matsuri) in Umegaoka, a 25 minute train ride away. Photographers zoomed in on the early blossoms while food stalls did a roaring trade. We shared a tasty yakisoba (fried noodle dish) in the sunshine and admired the first blooms. "This is like a dress rehearsal for ohanami," I told Shujin (referring to the April cherry blossom festival). Ubiquitous long-haired dachshunds in winter woolies posed in the arms of owners, and toddlers perched on their fathers' shoulders.

        My email inbox reports that The Room to Read event for March 3rd is half full: More than 20 people have signed up to meet this former Microsoft VIP. A $15 ticket  buys a glass of wine and the chance to hear the story of a man who retired at 40. Curiously, Mr. Wood seems to have greater appeal than the Father of Sudoku.