Saint Valentine's Day in Japan

 14th in February is Saint Valentine's day. We can buy a lot chocolates for Valentine's day in department stores in Japan. Many women select chocolates for their boyfriend, co-workers and themselves. Valentine's day is special event in Japan. 

I went to a famous department store in Tokyo this weekend. The store was crawling with so many women. And there are so many counters in the store. Belgian, Italian, Swiss, German, America, Japan, UAE...... I saw delicious chocolates of a lot of countries and could taste them. I was satisfied with some piece of them. All of them were so delicious. 

Since Valentine's day in Japan is one of commercialism, I always haven't send chocolates to my friends for a long time. The chocolates are so expensive. I know they are famous maker's ones. When I went to Belgian, I ate delicious chocolates of Neuhaus or Pierre Marcolini. I love them. However, too expensive in Japan. The frenzy is strange for me. 

However, I yielded to temptation this year and bought chocolates that made in Japan for my family and off course myself. The box and chocolate's shape is so cute. The price is not expensive. I especially liked the box. Also chocolates are so delicious!

Is Valentine's day special event in your countries ?

Chocolate box is decorated with paper cherry blossom (Sakura)

               

Scat of the daybreak 夜明けのスキャット

A Japanese "Kayōkyoku" 歌謡曲 became No.1 on US iTune Jazz chart or other countries chart. It is "Scat of the daybreak" by Saori Yuki 由紀さおり with PINK MARTINI. I was surprised with this news. The lyric is only Japanese. Why?

She is very popular singer and I love her beautiful voice. Her Japanese in her song is excellent. It is clear 
and fascinate us. I think other countries people might understand this beautiful sound who she sings.

I haven't heard Kayōkyoku in Japan now. We call recent Japanese songs J-POP. Kayōkyoku becomes old-fashioned. However, when I heard these old songs, melody is so simple and easy to sing. It is rather than fresh and nostalgic.

She sings children's song 童謡 (douyou) with her elder sister. The Japanese lyric that they sing is so beautiful. And we can imagine the situation or scenery on these songs clearly.

I'm happy that a lot of people know Japanese beautiful songs. I attached another Saori's song, Tegami 手紙 (letter).

手紙 by Saori Yuki