Exploring Japan’s Valentine’s Day Culture! Hanshin Mikage Station, South side

February 14 is Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world, but did you know that its birthplace in Japan is Kobe? To trace its roots, we visited “Valentine’s Day Plaza” (Higashinada-ku, Kobe), located on the south side of Hanshin Mikage Station.

Valentine Square” on the south side of Hanshin Mikage Station

It is an ordinary sight for people who use Hanshin Mikage Station, but if you stop and look closely, you will find a charming space with a monument depicting a hollowed-out heart and a rose. The “Valentine Square” was created by Morozoff, a leading confectionery maker in Kobe.

There is also a device that allows visitors to shake hands by putting their hands between the hearts.

It is said that Morozoff was the first company to introduce the idea of giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day in Japan. It is said that this led to the current custom.

Nowadays, not only do women give chocolates to men, but some even buy chocolates for themselves as a reward, which is exciting every year.

At the time, Morozoff wanted to nurture the culture of Valentine’s Day gift-giving, and found the Church of St. Valentino in Terni, Italy, which introduced Valentine’s Day to the world.

As a result, Mayor Girolamo of Terni City came to this place for the unveiling ceremony of the monument in “Valentine’s Day Square” and said, “I hope that visitors to this square in Mikage, Kobe, the city of sweets, will remember the significance of Valentine’s Day and Terni City, and that the friendship between Terni City and Kobe City will grow even more prosperous. I hope that visitors to this square in Mikage, Kobe, will remember the significance of Valentine’s Day and Terni City.

The monument is also accompanied by a picture of St. Valentino Church, where St. Valentino is enshrined. It is said that February 14, the anniversary of the death of St. Valentino, who made many lovers happy, was designated as the “Day of Love” and the custom of giving gifts to loved ones on this day was born.

Hanshin Mikage Minamiguchi bus stop

The bus stop at “Hanshin Mikage Minamiguchi” was also renewed by Morozoff in the image of chocolate. If you take a picture with the chocolate-colored bus stop when there are few people around, you will be able to capture the stylish and colorful appearance of the bus stop.

The sign of the bus stop is also heart-shaped and cute, and the pillar looks like a chocolate board when viewed from the side.

There are also flower beds around the plaza, and the bright red, white, orange, yellow, and purple pansies are wonderful.

I used to pass by the plaza without thinking about it, but now that I know the meaning behind its creation, I have grown attached to it. In the future, when I meet up with someone, I would like to say, “Let’s meet at Valentine Square!

Detailed information about the place

Location

Valentine Square
(2-16-8 Mikagehoncho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe)
Google Map

Opening Hours

24 hours