February 14 may be synonymous with romance but who says you can’t express a different kind of love with your family too? Read on to find out to how to celebrate Valentine's Day in Japan for couples wi

With specials on romantic dinners and getaways for two, Valentine’s Day in Japan might appear a holiday reserved only for couples. Why should couples have all the fun? Get the family in on the love, too! When two people fall in love and start a family, babies and young kids immediately take center stage, demanding a lot of care and attention. In such a situation, it’s easy for the couple’s relationship to take a backseat. So, what’s the compromise? Want to know how to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Japan for couples with kids? Here’s my humble advice.

Make Something With Love This Valentine’s

[

](https://cdn.savvytokyo.com/app/uploads/2026/02/iStock-1338368876.jpg)This might be the easiest dessert you can make with kids.

Make something thoughtful with your kids and presto, core memory encoded! Why not rustle up some homemade chocolate treats? From January until Valentine’s Day in February, hyaku-en (¥100) stores and supermarkets in Japan are awash with supplies to make your own chocolates. 

What to include on your shopping list: 

• Chocolate molds (the silicone ones are fuss-free)

• Chocolate for melting in a double boiler or microwave (regular chocolate bars, couverture chocolate (higher cocoa butter content) or chocolate chips work just fine)

• Decorations and fillings like sprinkles, dried fruit, chopped nuts, crushed candy, crushed cookies 

• Chocolate cups/wrapping paper/chocolate boxes (optional)

This might be the easiest dessert you can make with kids. Just be careful with melted chocolate straight off the stove or out of the microwave. Pour into the molds, decorate and pop in the fridge for about thirty minutes to an hour. 

If you and your partner are particularly crafty, you can also encourage every family member to make a Valentine’s Day card. Again, head to your favorite hyaku-en shop for supplies: card paper, markers, paints, ribbon, washi tape and stickers.

Let each person pick someone’s name at random. Then make a card for that special someone. The best part is what goes inside the card. Help your kids write something nice to the person they love. 

Tour a Chocolate Factory in Japan

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](https://cdn.savvytokyo.com/app/uploads/2026/02/iStock-1790569294.jpg)© Photo by iStock/ mutarusan

Like any decent Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory fan, I’m all about getting to know my chocolate from the factory floor. Touring a chocolate factory in Japan is possible but you usually have to make a reservation. If you’re planning a Valentine’s Day adventure, book well in advance. Do note that some factories are not open on weekends or national holidays. Here are just a few to get you planning ahead.

Lotte Okashi School 

• Address: 3-1-1 Numakage, Minami-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture (Google Map link)

• **Closest station: **Musashi-Urawa Station (5-minute walk)

• Price: Free (reservation required);  persons aged 3 and over 

• Opening hours: tour times are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; closed on weekends, national holidays, Obon, New Year’s and factory maintenance days

Meiji Naruhodo Factory Sakado

• Address: 5-3-1 Chiyoda, Sakado City, Saitama Prefecture (Google Map link)

• **Closest station: **Wakaba Station (15-minute walk)

• **Price: **Free (reservation required); persons aged 4 and over

• Opening hours: closed on Saturdays and Sundays; see website for more details

Glicopia East

• **Address: **9-55 Nakamaru, Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture (Google Map link)

• Closest station: Okegawa Station or Kitamoto Station 

• Price: Free (reservation required) 

• Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; closed on Obon and New Year’s holidays, Fridays and factory maintenance days (see website for more details)

Get Together After Hours 

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](https://cdn.savvytokyo.com/app/uploads/2026/02/iStock-71928494.jpg)© Photo by iStock/ Image Source

After the kids have spent all day making, looking at, and eating chocolate, read them a bedtime story, give them a hug and a kiss and rejoice! Now, it’s couples-only time. Spend the rest of Valentine’s in Japan as a couple without kids (even if they’re just sleeping in their bedrooms). 

Netflix and chill. Dine or snack by candlelight. Snuggle under the blankets. What you do with your time is totally up to you! All that matters is that you use it to genuinely reconnect as a couple. 

If, however,  you’re really knackered after a day out with the fam, why not plan a date night for another time? Here are some suggestions for inspo: 

• A Year Worth of Monthly Date Ideas in Japan for All Ages

• Best Outdoor Date Idea for Valentine’s in Tokyo

Let us know how you and your family get on this Valentine’s Day in Japan!