CULTURE

Valentine's Day in Tokyo: Best Ideas, Places and Restaurants

By Avah Atherton
Updated: January 23, 2025

What’s the most romantic day of the year? For most of us, it’s Valentine’s Day on February 14th. From the story of St. Valentine to the romantic music and the gift-buying mayhem, you either get swept away in the chaos or swept aside. It depends on your relationship status at the moment.

Whether you're crafting the perfect agenda to impress your partner or seeking uniquely Japanese ways to celebrate, read on for the best things to do for Valentine’s Day in Tokyo and the best restaurants in the city that keep that romance in the air — and at the dining table. 

Valentine’s Day in Tokyo

A couple walking together in Tokyo

In Tokyo, love is celebrated a lot differently. Christmas Eve is the day most associated with love and romance for Tokyoites. So, how does Tokyo, or Japan, celebrate Valentine’s Day?

The origins of Valentine’s Day in Japan are dubious. Some believe that Valentine’s Day is meant to encourage women to declare their love for a romantic interest. It then developed into a day where they are expected to also show appreciation, using chocolate, for the other men in their lives, their coworkers and even their friends. It’s chocolate-giving, Oprah-style!

Sounds complicated? Don’t worry, we break down the kinds of Valentine’s Day chocolates and the meanings behind each one in our blog about Valentine's Day in Japan. You can pay us back in chocolate. 

Woman holding a heart shaped box

Is it all just one big marketing strategy by chocolate companies? Sales of chocolate soared during this period as women are now expected to present tokens to all of their colleagues and friends. Many think this has robbed the day of meaning and promotes capitalism.

Recently, women have been vocal about the high costs associated with this tradition. Not to mention, the potential for misunderstanding and inappropriate conduct with male colleagues. 

Whatever the origins, fact or fiction, you can decide whether to celebrate this day. Maybe just treat yourself! Explore the world of chocolate giving with a comprehensive guide to making and buying chocolates for Valentine’s Day

Here is our list of things to do in Japan for Valentine’s Day as a couple. We’ve also included some ideas if you are single but hopeful, or simply looking to make new friends. 

What to do for Valentine’s Day in Tokyo as a couple

Book a Valentine’s Day dinner in Tokyo

Asking your partner — or situationships, for some of us — to get all dolled up to go for a fancy meal is pretty much the foolproof love language on Valentine’s Day. Luckily, Japan is a food lover’s paradise, making it easier to pick the perfect spot for a Valentine’s Day dinner than in many other places.

Some restaurants even offer special table arrangements, but if you and your partner are true gourmets, you’ll find options ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to avant-garde culinary creations and inventive food and drink pairings. The choice is yours.

1. IL PINOLO Ginza

A picturesque tower of sauce-smothered morsels, courtesy of IL PINOLO Ginza.

The city of love, Paris, waxes romance as twirling your fork around al dente pasta with a sleek glass of wine, overlooking a sparkling nightscape. IL PINOLO Ginza, a high-rise Italian ristorante in Tokyo’s upscale shopping district, takes those cues and adds so much more.

Standard lunch and dinner are reasonably priced, but for moments to impress your date, slide into one of their plush velvet chairs and get the special prix fixe menu. 

The lineup is regional, but the kitchen team doesn’t hesitate to throw in the big guys: show-stopping antipasto of beef tartare with truffle, mains of risotto folded with sea urchin and foie gras, and cold federini pasta crowned with caviar. 

Just when you think the head-turning act is complete, a Japanese Black wagyu sirloin roast arrives to spoil you and your date. 

2. Courage

A course at Courage, adorned with the restaurant's name.

Scoring a reservation at the Michelin-selected Courage is already half the battle won in impressing your date. This bistro-dapper venue has been serving unpretentious French-inspired cuisine with a charm. 

The semi-secluded space is handsomely appointed, anchored by a striking floor-to-ceiling psychedelic mural that fits right into Azabu Juban’s bohemian-chic aesthetic. 

Courage has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. One sleight of hand is its duck sandwich, which has Nishizaki-raised duck wedged between pillowy white bread — but not before it is brushed with truffle sauce and blanketed with truffle shavings. 

The rest of the menu remains delightfully enigmatic, offering hints like seasonal proteins — think Jinseki wagyu and fresh fish, best enjoyed in their seductively lit dining room.

3. Ryuduki Teppan

The sleek, atmospheric interiors of Ryuduki Teppan.

Ryuduki Teppan might be Kinshicho’s sexiest restaurant. The cushions are velvet; the table is marble; the room is moodily lit, heightened by gold accents and the glow of a dramatic crystal chandelier; and a stunning lighting fixture with coiling dragon scale patterns hovers above the curved counter.

Cozy up with your date in a plush booth or trace the counter’s edge as you watch the teppanyaki action unfold. The course starts off with a glass of champagne (to calm the nerves) before diving into a tantalizing selection of Spanish Iberian pork teppanyaki, followed by fresh seafood from Toyosu Market

The vibe is equally sexy here, even as you sink your teeth into a sumptuous Yukifuri Wagyu sirloin steak from Yamagata Prefecture.

Find out more: Where To Eat Teppanyaki in Tokyo

4. VinIX

The monochromatic, moodily lit interiors of VinIX.

Tall, dark and handsome — VinIX (pronounced "vank") is turning yakiniku into a romantic affair by creating a high-concept "meat bank" in Azabu Juban. 

The course menu, which features a customizable anniversary option with table art dessert, takes a surprising French twist. You might feel like you’re settling in with the sparkling wine and caviar as an amuse-bouche, but the Tajima beef tartare and juicy mini foie gras burger are so delicious they could easily shift your focus from what's in front of you to what's on the table — no promises.

5. 「REGINA」

The stylish, intimate booth seating of 「REGINA」

「REGINA」is an art-deco-inspired Italian concept in Kinshicho that's been serving mouthwatering fare to couples whispering sweet nothings in its curved, two-person red velvet booths for a while now. 

Seating spills onto the terrace, where lit olive trees and a sparkling pool anchor the romantic scene without screaming, “trying too hard.”

Foolproof Italian soul food reigns supreme — we’re talking velvety carbonara (no cream, just egg yolk and guanciale) and deliciously charred Margherita and Porcini mushroom risotto with prosciutto — though you’ll find a few deviations by way of Kagoshima black pork loin and Seiryu chicken thigh sauteed with a zesty green pepper sauce. 

The course menu also scores you champagne, as it should.

6. Bel Sogno

The unique, Italian-inspired dishes of Bel Sogno.

Born in Miyazaki and trained in Italy, Chef Yuji Nakamoto from Bel Sogno writes a love letter to both through his fusion cuisine. 

It’s the same love that could be felt through his omakase course. You’ll be sitting in the U-shaped counter kitchen cut from a solid Italian stone — the same surface he kneads homemade pasta — and get a front-row seat for his inventive creations. 

You'll find a half-boiled egg filled with truffle, sea urchin and mozzarella; freshwater eel in a salted mullet roe risotto; and our favorite, homemade "Pici" pasta with Miyazaki pork, mushroom sauce, sauteed shiitake mushrooms and truffles. 

It’s easily one of the best bowls of carbs you’ll have, but you might just forget all about it when you take a spoonful of Nakamoto’s famous matcha tiramisu. 

Book a couples' sweet-making class in Tokyo 

Handmade mochi in this Tokyo sweets-making class.

Some wise man once said that the quickest way to the heart is through the stomach. Nothing is more impressive than an adult with above-average cooking skills. Level up even more with a cooking class and show off your culinary skills to your partner. Better yet, bring them along so that they can learn with you.

We recommend turning it into a private experience for you and your companion, such as this mochi-making class in Setagaya. There, you’ll learn how to craft strawberry daifuku and hanami dango mochi.

We have a huge list of cooking classes that can be sorted by location and even language. 

Hint: Choose a food that is fun and forgiving, leaving lots of room for mistakes, laughter and maybe a few casual touches that look accidental but aren’t. (You know exactly what we’re talking about.)

Take your date on a romantic cruise in Tokyo Bay

A couple looking out over Tokyo Bay; romance is in the air.

Any cruise can be a romantic cruise — if you’re going as a couple. But how romantic it feels? That's another matter.

For the ultimate romantic cruise, sail from the Harumi boat pier on a private yakatabune boat, traditionally known as a Japanese pleasure boat This one-day cruise takes you past all of Tokyo's most iconic landmarks: the sprawling Tokyo Bay, the illuminated Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba. You’ll enjoy the serenity of a traditional Japanese pleasure boat while taking in breathtaking views.

The food is just as impressive, with a kaiseki menu crafted by a veteran hotel chef. Expect top-tier ingredients like matsutake mushrooms, Ise lobster, unagi freshwater eel and wagyu.

Book a ryokan with a private bath

A women enjoying a onsen bath looking at a view of Mt. Fuji

February is just at the tail end of winter in Tokyo, and what’s better than a warm bath in the cold months? A warm bath with a loved one, of course. Some ryokans come equipped with private outdoor baths attached to guest rooms.

Most of Tokyo’s more noteworthy ryokan are located in Asakusa, which is the perfect location for sightseeing and a romantic night cruise. Congrats, you just nailed it.

Find out more: Best Food Tours & Cooking Classes in Asakusa

Feel the love under the winter illuminations

A women holds up a smartphone to take photos of an illumination display

Want to bring a sparkle to your partner’s eyes? That’s easy! Just position her under one of the thousands of lights at a winter illumination. We’re kidding. Well, not really. Winter illuminations inspire feelings of awe and happiness. Why not share that with someone special?

An intimate stroll under the lights, a few selfies to capture the moment, and a well-timed declaration of affection. It’s a Netflix rom-com waiting to happen. 

Many of these illuminations are on public streets, making them free to visit. It helps you save some money to spend on a noteworthy gift or box of chocolate. That’s what we call a win-win. 

Make memories with a themed photoshoot

Couple in a rickshaw in Asakusa

Source: byFood

Sure, you have pictures together but do you have pictures together in kimono? Hire a photographer so that they can worry about the autofocus while you focus on your partner. A picture is worth one thousand words but don’t let that hold you back. Whisper a cheesy one-liner to your partner and you’ll get the best reactions for the camera.

Plus, it’ll help make the moment more authentic and less awkward. The LOVE sculpture in Shinjuku is a great place to start your photoshoot, FYI. You’re welcome.

What to do for Valentine’s Day in Tokyo if you’re single

1. Impress someone with handmade chocolates

Cute animal themed chocolates

Source: byFood - Katie Thompson

There is only one thing to do in Tokyo for Valentine’s Day if you’re single but hopeful. Let your crush know how you feel by presenting them with a gift of handmade or specialty chocolate. 

Dandelion Chocolate, founded in San Francisco in 2010, offers chocolate-making workshops at their factory in Kuramae. Or get your chocolate-making kit from stores like LOFT, Daiso and others. 

If you’re not into DIY, try visiting the KitKat Chocolatory in Ginza where staff members will write a message and add a decorative pattern of your choice for a fee. It still counts as handmade, even if they aren’t your hands.

Find out more: Chocolate Gift Guide for Valentine’s Day in Japan

2. Find new friends or dates 

A woman smiles at a man in front of lanterns Japan

If you’re lacking in dates or crushes on Valentine’s Day in Tokyo, there is still time to find one. Sign up for international meet-ups that draw both locals and international residents alike. 

Try Meet-Up, which is exactly what it says on the pack. Don't knock dating apps til you try them either. Tinder and Bumble are popular options here. There are even localized ones like Pairs, Match Alarm and YYC.

Prefer to make friends naturally while living up your Japan trip? Try these solo activities in Japan or grab a drink at these bars for solo drinking

3. Join a bar-hopping tour in Tokyo

Another great way to meet people is to join one of our Tokyo bar-hopping tours! You’ll join a local guide and fellow travelers to hit up some of Tokyo’s best hidden gems, from vibrant izakaya to Japan’s unique snack bars.

4. Enjoy a Galentine's event 

Interested in celebrating Valentine’s Day in Tokyo with your gal pals, instead? Known as Galentine’s Day, ladies can enjoy events such as Sip and Paint, where they drink wine, talk and paint while steadily getting inebriated. 

If you prefer sake to wine, Tokyo has lots of sake-tasting and sake-pairing experiences. Platonic love deserves to be celebrated too!

For those who prefer not to drink alcohol, Tokyo is home to some really wonderful afternoon teas! Enjoy sampling a variety of tea and sweets at a fashionable cafe or a posh hotel.

However you decide to spend the day, we hope it is memorable and pleasant. Let this list be your guide to a day well spent. With a partner or without, take this chance to appreciate your loved ones. Have a love-filled Valentine’s Day in Tokyo. 

Spending Valentine's Day in Japan?

Here are some handy guides to spending the romantic holiday in Japan:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tokyo celebrate Valentine's Day?

Yes! Although it's a more recent addition, believed to have been introduced to the country in 1936 by a confectionery company, many people do celebrate Valentine's Day in Tokyo with dinner, chocolates or flowers.

How to spend Valentine's Day in Japan?

Originally, Valentine's Day was a day for women to give chocolates to the men in their lives (including friends, colleagues and romantic partners). These days, it is also celebrated by couples, who will go for a romantic dinner or swap small gifts.
We strive to be as accurate as possible and keep up with the changing landscape of Japan's food and travel industries. If you spot any inaccuracies, please send a report.
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Avah Atherton
Avah, a proud Trinidadian, has a meat mouth, a sweet tooth, and a mission to find good food and great experiences. Based in Tokyo, she enjoys long walks (especially if they lead to somewhere delicious), reading, live performances, and art exhibitions.
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