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In Japan, you need not bother yourself about what to buy for a present on Valentine’s Day. The present must be chocolate in 9 cases out of 10. Unlike the West, it is Japanese tradition that women will give men gifts of chocolate on this day.

Valentine with a Twist

Giri-Choco

At this time every year a working girl in Japan worries about whether or not to give a gift of chocolate to her superior at work. Even though she is not particularly interested in him, she feels anxious about what he thinks of her, if she doesn’t give a gift while other girls give. Usually she comes to a conclusion that she had better give some to her chief. The gift given in this manner is called Giri Choco (義理チョコ), translated as “obligation chocolate”.

Honmei-choco

Honmei Choco (本命チョコ), or “prospective winner chocolate”, is reserved for the men that are special in a woman’s life. She may buy honmei-choco for close family members, her boyfriend, or her husband. Honmei-choco gifts are made of more expensive chocolate, and often consist of chocolates molded in the shape of something the recipient enjoys, for example, golf-balls.

Ikeda Turns Him into Chocolate!

‘Tis Valentine’s Day, instead of giving chocolate to your love one, why not make him your chocolate… literally

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Sorry, this promotion has ended. Please view this page for the latest promotion.

A little trivial – if you think it is lucky for men in Japan, think again. Men who received chocolates on Valentine’s day are supposed to give gifts back to the women on March 14th called White Day

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As mentioned in the earlier post, the nengajo winning numbers names will be announced on 15 Jan.

The winners of the 2010 Nengajo lottery for the Year of the Tiger are… *drum roll*

1. Nel Erina (facebook)
2. Angeline Leng (facebook)
3. Wendy Lai Yun Di (facebook)
4. Muzachan (twitter)
5. Chiang Mun Yee (facebook)
6. Anges Lin (facebook)
7. Fiona Tay (facebook)
8. Carrie Lee (facebook)
9. Luther Toh (facebook)
10. Jenny Leong (facebook)
11. Irene Choo (facebook)
12. Christabel Chue (facebook)
13. Samantha Wong (facebook)
14. Fuad Abdul Aziz (facebook)
15. Shandia Poon (facebook)
16. Gan Say Yong (facebook)
17. David Johnson (facebook)
18. Lee Fook Yuan (facebook)
19. liswong (twitter)
20. Amika Takahashi (facebook)
21. Shileen Ng (facebook)

Congratulations to the lucky 21 fans, you win yourself our Hinoki Hotspring Japanese Bath (U.P. $78) for free! Vouchers are transferable which means it makes a perfect gift for your friends and families.

Please add me to your facebook and I will contact you shortly to collect your nengajo prize. ラッキー!!!

Now you have seen it on TV. Try it for yourself at a fraction of the usual price.

• 30 min Hinoki Ofuro Japanese Bath
• 60 min Ikeda Massage on Japanese Hot Stone Bed
• 30 min Yasurai Hair & Neck Massage

All above as featured in New City Beat episode.

As promised on our last newsletter, this 1-week promotion is a tribute to our facebook and twitter fans. Offer ends 20 Jan 2010.

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Sorry, this promotion has ended. Please view this page for the latest promotion.

For those who have missed us on the New City Beat episode

More videos can be found on Ikeda Spa’s YouTube Channel

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For generations, people in Japan have celebrated New Year’s Day by sending specially designed cards — nengajō (年賀状) — to each other. As part of the tradition, postal workers stock all the nengajō that are mailed in the final weeks of the old year, and then deliver every single one on New Year’s Day.

Nengajō often based on the present year’s zodiacal animal and 2010 is the Year of Tiger.

©'76,'09 SANRIO CO.,LTD.

…you can argue that Hello Kitty is actually a Tiger 

Nengajo cards purchased from Japan Post have a lottery number on each card. The cards can be purchased with a blank back or with printed designs. On January 15th, the winning numbers are picked and the results are announced the following day on television and in newspapers.

Here is an example of a winning number

The holders of winning numbers receive prizes. The prizes are not money. The first prize in a past lottery was a wide screen TV set, a car navigation system, and a washer/dryer. The second prize was a camera, a radio and a CD player. The third prize was a regional products gift pack, and the fourth prize was a collection of commemorative stamps. Nengajo card 2009 lottery prizes.

We are hosting our very own nengajō lottery draw this year – the 21 winners will be announced on 15th January on Twitter and Facebook. Join our facebook page and follow our twitter page now.

Hope you like our self-made nengajō specially for you.

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• Happy New Year 2010! Just a few more hours to go to think of your new year resolution. P.S. I just found out that… http://bit.ly/7ATXYN #
• #IkedaSpa @Aipoo Happy new year! How is your spa today? #