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Valentine’s Day Tokyo: 6 Last-Minute Ideas
Fed up with the Japanese “tradition” of women giving men chocolates on February 14? Why not make things a bit more romantic? Here are Tokyo Valentine’s Day ideas that are big on Cupid points, and easy to put into action.
If you’re not keen on cutesy Valentine’s Day stuff, check out our other date ideas in Tokyo.
1. See their eyes light up
After a nice (wallet-friendly) dinner, grab some hot drinks and go for a wander, taking in the last of Tokyo’s winter illuminations together. If you missed them during the holiday season, this is a great chance to catch the impressive Tokyo Dome City Illuminations, Hibiya Illuminations, and the ever-classy Marunouchi Illuminations before they end.
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Pro tip: For an extra touch of romance, check out the Marunouchi Illuminations after this candle-lit string quartet concert in Ginza. It’s on the 15th, but close enough.
2. Valentine’s Day on ice
Whether you’re a veritable Asada in the rink or an absolute beginner, ice skating can be a fun date. Why not give your beloved a twirl around Yokohama Akarenga Rink or Tokyo Midtown? For more details on these and other rinks, see our Tokyo ice-skating guide.
Pro tip: If you’re in Yokohama, try to squeeze in a look at the Yokohama Night Flowers fireworks on February 14.
3. Love blossoms
A stroll through beautiful, fragrant plum blossoms — how much more romantic can you get? Add a few snacks and a blanket, and you’re winning at this dating thing. Yushima Tenjin, Ushi Tenjin, and Hanegi Park are all spectacular Tokyo plum-blossom spots.
Pro tip: For a day trip or overnight getaway, check out the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms at festivals in Matsuda and Miura.
4. Climb 600 stairs at Tokyo Tower
It might not scream sexy, but it’s novel and will certainly test your dedication to each other. Walk, trot, or haul your unfit body all the way up the outside stairs to the observation deck of Tokyo Tower (you usually have to take the lift). Save time by booking online.
This year, the tower will be lit up in pink lights on February 14, and they’re also hosting a city pop DJ party on the 13th. On top of that, the City Light Fantasia illumination is running until February 15. This year’s theme sees a view of the city enveloped in butterflies and ice.
5. Say it with chocolates and sweet treats
If you are set on the whole chocolate thing, we have three suggestions. First, spend a bit extra and get your chocolate fix at one of the many cafés in Tokyo that are doing Valentine’s specials — like Lindt Chocolat Cafe.
Another romantic (and rather bougie) option is to go for afternoon tea. Many of Tokyo’s luxury hotels, such as the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, offer a special Valentine’s Day-inspired menu — with that one being ¥8,800.
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Lastly, since chocolates will likely be discounted on the 14th, why not grab a bargain and pick some up late on the day of, or simply push back your cocoa-filled celebrations to the 15th? You can always make your own too — read more about the chocolate-filled Japanese approach to Valentine’s Day.
Pro tip: Check out our 6 top picks for late-night desserts in Tokyo, for a sweet way to end the day.
6. Go on a romantic cruise at sunset
The colors of a deep sunset are enough to set a fire in any heart. Take that feeling and put it on the ocean. There are several boat trips on the water in Tokyo, but none do the fancy dining experience quite like Symphony Cruises.
There are several times of day you can go to marvel at the Tokyo skyline around Tokyo Bay, but we recommend either evening or dusk. If you can’t get a booking for Valentine’s Day proper, keep it in mind as a later date idea.
To keep it casual, you can also opt for a quick afternoon cruise for ¥2,940.
Challenge Sumo Wrestlers and Enjoy Lunch
Eat, train, and fight like a real Japanese sumo wrestler during this sumo demonstration and authentic ‘Chanko Nabe’ (hotpot) meal.
Valentine’s Day in Japan FAQs
How is Valentine’s Day celebrated in Japan?
Valentine’s Day in Japan is all about chocolate. Usually, women give chocolate not only to their partners but also to coworkers, classmates, and friends. Many opt for small boxes or even Kit-Kat bars from the convenience store, but others roll up their sleeves and get to making chocolate by themselves. While the pressure falls on women and girls to be chocolate couriers every February 14, there is a day when they can relax and receive chocolate from the men and boys …
What is White Day?
White Day is held a month after Valentine’s Day, on March 14, and if you couldn’t guess by the name, it is all about white chocolate. This is the day when the recipients of Valentine’s Day treats give back — this is usually done by men.
How can I get a date in Tokyo?
If you’re looking for love, perhaps attending a gokon (like a group blind date) might be the first step to a future romance. Or you could just hit up the many, many bars and clubs in town.
If you don’t want to deal with the language barrier, you could join the Meetup group that is Tokyo International Singles, as they have a number of Valentine’s events. WeLearn 80s Café also hosts a variety of events, including social and casual language-learning activities and cultural experiences.
Last but not least, dating apps like Tinder and Hinge are still probably the easiest place to meet people, for better or for worse.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. This post was originally published on February 14, 2014. Last update: February 5, 2025, by Patrick Balfe.
