Japan’s Fastest! Top 6 Recommended Items from the Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo 2026

Hello, I’m Rina, a writer for Kodawari Times.
In Japan, often called a premium chocolate country, the event that sees the biggest jump in chocolate sales is Valentine’s Day on February 14th. While different countries have their own Valentine’s Day traditions, Japan has firmly established the custom of giving chocolate on this day.

On December 3, 2025—still over two months away from Valentine’s Day, that major chocolate event—I attended a preview of the “Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo 2026” held at Hankyu Umeda Main Store, a department store in Osaka. Be sure to check out Japan’s earliest Valentine’s Day information!

 

Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo 2026

This time, we visited Hankyu Umeda Main Store, a department store in Osaka’s Umeda area. The “Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo 2026,” renowned as Japan’s largest annual Valentine’s event, has been confirmed for 2026. Running from Wednesday, January 21 to Saturday, February 14, 2026, it will feature approximately 350 domestic and international brands, expanding its scale beyond the 2025 event.

The preview event, billed as Japan’s earliest Valentine’s Day campaign, drew crowds including Hankyu Umeda Main Store’s PR representatives, brand managers, and developers at each booth. Numerous media outlets—TV stations and newspapers—rushed to cover the occasion.

Amidst the dazzling displays and sweet aroma of chocolate… the venue pulsed with the same festive energy as the main Valentine’s event, enveloping visitors in pure joy.♪

Now, the theme for this year’s Valentine’s Chocolate Expo is “Embark on a Chocolate Journey to Discover What You Love.” The main visual and venue design feature various chocolates bursting out of a travel trunk. It’s designed to make you feel like you’re embarking on a chocolate journey across Japan and around the world, where you can discover what you and your loved ones love from chocolates brimming with the charm of each region.

The main venue for the Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo, the 9th floor, will be held across two spaces: the Event venue and the SHUKUSAI Plaza.
The event period is divided into two halves, with participating shops and brands changing between them. Since the shops completely change between the first and second halves, you’ll definitely want to visit multiple times! The periods, venues, and themes for each are as follows:

9th Floor, First Half

Period: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – Thursday, January 29, 2026 *Event ends at 3:00 PM on the final day
Venue and Theme: SHUKUSAI Plaza “Chocolate confectionery cafe”
What’s the perfect cup to pair with your favorite chocolate? Discover the deepening, ever-evolving marriage of chocolate and coffee & tea.
Event venue “47 Chocolate Islands”
We’ve gathered chocolates packed with the charm of ingredients from all over Japan. Your journey through Japan, experienced through chocolate, begins here.

9th Floor, Second Half

Period: January 30 (Fri) – February 14 (Sat), 2026 *Event ends at 7:00 PM on the final day
Venue and Theme: SHUKUSAI Plaza “Cacao World Orchard”
Under the slogan “Cacao is a fruit!”, enjoy an abundance of chocolates featuring fruits from cacao-producing countries, along with chocolates showcasing fruity and nutty aromas!
Event venue “Harvest Party in Chocolate Town”
The annual “Harvest Party” unfolds before bonbon chocolates crafted with chefs’ carefully selected ingredients. Welcome to the enchanting world of Chocolate Town!

▼Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo 2026 Special Site
https://website.hankyu-dept.co.jp/honten/h/valentine/index.html

 

Recommended chocolates packed with attention to detail

Now, let’s pick out a few items that caught Kodawari Times’ eye at the preview event. Check out these meticulously crafted chocolates brimming with Japanese charm—perfect for souvenirs from Japan. Come on, let’s embark on a journey through chocolates from all over Japan!

Ek Chuah / Condiment Chocolat OSAKA

Established in 1986 in Osaka’s Shinsaibashi district as Osaka’s first specialty chocolate shop, “Ek Chuah” now operates four locations throughout the city and is a highly sought-after chocolatier at department store events, representing Osaka’s finest. Its appeal lies in a traditional yet innovative approach, combining authentic Belgian couverture chocolate with Japanese ingredients and seasonal elements.

This time, “Condiment Chocolat OSAKA” will be featured as a limited-edition item at the Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo. It consists of three types of pralines that blend Osaka ingredients using spices from Yamatsu Tsujita, a specialty shop for Japanese-style spices in Osaka. The “Yuzu Honey” variety I sampled had a perfect balance of yuzu fragrance and honey sweetness, with a gentle, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate texture. Why not try pairing it with the remaining flavors, “Nori Caramel” and “Sansho Kabosu,” to enjoy the sophisticated, deep flavors of these chocolates?

Sales Period: January 21 (Wed) – January 29 (Thu)
Location: 9th Floor, 47 Chocolate Islands
Price: ¥1,620 (tax included)

CLUB HARIE / Baumkuchen Brownie

CLUB HARIE began as the Western confectionery division of Shiga Prefecture’s long-established Japanese sweets shop, Taneya. Located in Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, the flagship store of Taneya and CLUB HARIE, La Collina Omihachiman, is also famous as a popular tourist spot in Shiga, so overseas visitors may be familiar with it.

The renowned Baumkuchen shop “CLUB HARIE” has unveiled its “Baumkuchen Brownie” as a limited-edition item for the Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo.
This new creation is a collaboration between their classic Valentine’s Chocolate Baumkuchen and heart-shaped brownies.
The rich sweetness of adult-style chocolate and moist cake batter are complemented by chunks of Chocolate Baumkuchen. Furthermore, the crunch of macadamia and cashew nuts adds a satisfying texture for a truly indulgent experience.

The heart-shaped puzzle piece design, matching the theme of this Valentine’s Chocolate Expo, is adorable, and the fun of eating one piece at a time is also appealing♡

Period: January 30 (Fri) – February 14 (Sat)
Location: 9th Floor Chocolate Town
Price: ¥2,592 (tax included)

Choco Kajitsuen Horiuchi Banashi / Fruit Chocolate

Gojo City, a historic town that flourished as a post town in Nara Prefecture, Japan’s ancient capital. The handmade chocolate specialty shop “chocobanashi,” located within an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, has collaborated exclusively with Horiuchi Kajitsuen, also in Gojo City, and the Hankyu Umeda Main Store.
This set features fruit chocolates lavishly made with six types of fruit: plum, blueberry, fig, kiwi, persimmon, and strawberry.

Chocobanashi is known for making its chocolates entirely by hand from scratch using only cocoa beans and sugar sourced directly from India and Vietnam. This results in chocolates that highlight the natural sweetness and flavor of the fruit ingredients.
This time, I sampled the strawberry variety, where the dark chocolate flavor perfectly complements the strawberry’s tartness. The nut topping adds a nice accent, allowing you to fully savor the lingering flavor and aroma of the beans.

Sales Period: January 21 (Wed) – January 29 (Thu)
Location: 9th Floor, 47 Choco Islands
Price: ¥4,104 (tax included)

SAISON DE SETSUKO / Shodoshima Olive Oil & Shodoshima Soy Sauce, Shodoshima Olive Oil & Setouchi Lemon, Mimosa, Pansy, Violet

SAISON DE SETSUKO, a brand by Mary Chocolate Co., Ltd., Japan’s premier luxury chocolate maker. Named after “Setsuko” (season-caller), it is a chocolaterie expressing Japan’s “SHIKI.” Just as traditional Japanese sweets express seasonal ingredients and landscapes, you can experience the beauty of Japan’s “four seasons” through chocolate.

This time, five seasonal chocolates exclusive to Hankyu Umeda Main Store have arrived: “Shodoshima Olive Oil & Shodoshima Soy Sauce,” “Shodoshima Olive Oil & Setouchi Lemon,” “Mimosa,” “Pansy,” and “Violet.”
Each piece is handmade, featuring a delicate and beautiful design that showcases the artisan’s skill. Beyond their appearance, the appeal lies in the authentic chocolate flavor that highlights the charm of Japanese ingredients.

The varieties I sampled were the addictively sweet-and-salty “Shodoshima Olive Oil & Shodoshima Soy Sauce” and the “Shodoshima Olive Oil & Setouchi Lemon,” with its refreshingly fragrant Setouchi lemon notes. Both evoked images of Shodoshima, a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, as I tasted them. As chocolates that invite thoughts of Japan’s seasons and nature, they make perfect gifts.

Sales Period: January 30 (Fri) to February 14 (Sat)
Location: 9th Floor Chocolate Town
Price: 486 yen each (378 yen for Sumire only. All prices include tax)

Kanego Seian / Yokan au chocolat, Yokan au Fromage

We also introduce innovative chocolates incorporating elements of traditional Japanese sweets.
Kanego Seian, an anko manufacturer based in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, will present its original brand “Takumi Anko-do” with “Yokan au chocolat / Yokan au Fromage”—a fusion of Japanese yokan and Western chocolate and cheesecake. Featuring a sophisticated cube design, these chocolates blend ingredients that complement anko, creating a distinctly Japanese flavor.

Trying the matcha flavor with a white chocolate base, you first enjoy the gentle sweetness of the chocolate, followed by the moist texture of the yokan. The slight bitterness and aroma of Uji matcha linger. I was surprised by this new-sensation sweet that combines the best of both yokan and chocolate.

Not just chocolate, the “Yokan au Fromage” with its cheesecake-like texture is delicious too, perfectly matching the cheese flavor with the sweetness of the bean paste! It seems like it would pair well with various drinks like tea, wine, or coffee. Highly recommended for fans of Japanese wagashi or anyone seeking something unique!

Sales Period: January 28 (Wed) – February 3 (Tue)
Location: Basement Level 1
Price: ¥4,104 (tax included)

JHON KANAYA / LUXURY BONBON JAPANESE

Hankyu Men’s Osaka will feature its largest-ever chocolate shop lineup. Among them is JHON KANAYA, based in Ebisu, Tokyo. This premium chocolatier inherits the aesthetic sensibilities of Senji Kanaya, owner of the legendary French restaurant “Western Dining Room JHON KANAYA,” beloved by many celebrities. The brand also traces its roots to the Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel, and its chocolates expressing indulgences like cigars and spirits are cherished by the hotel’s guests.

One of the chocolates featured at Hankyu Men’s Osaka is the new “LUXURY BONBON JAPANESE.” These bonbon chocolates are crafted with five types of alcohol made in Japan, blending traditional Japanese sake brewing with chocolate.
The “Yuzu Kosho” we sampled uses a rare yuzu kosho pepper liqueur made from Kito yuzu citrus harvested in southern Tokushima Prefecture and Japanese chili peppers. Within the chocolate’s sweetness and flavor, the deep, spicy aroma of yuzu pepper unfolds, creating a very sophisticated taste.
The packaging and the chocolate’s refined design are also appealing. Why not consider choosing it as a Valentine’s gift for someone special?

Sales Period/Location:
January 21 (Wed) – January 29 (Thu) / 9th Floor Event Hall
February 4 (Wed) – February 14 (Sat) / Men’s Osaka 1st Floor Main Stage
Price: ¥3,300 (tax included)

 

Let’s give chocolate for Valentine’s Day!

Japan’s largest Valentine’s celebration, the Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo 2026. In 2026, an amazing array of chocolates will gather once again.
As Kodawari Times, which introduces Japanese local products and souvenirs, we picked out chocolates that embody Japan’s spirit. Each one was truly unique, made with meticulously selected ingredients!
Many more distinctive chocolatiers are exhibiting, so be sure to find your favorites at the venue in Hankyu Umeda Main Store.

And sales have already started online as early as December 5, 2025. Shipping is within Japan, but this is definitely worth checking out too!
For Valentine’s Day 2026, why not give chocolate to someone special, embracing Japanese culture?

▼Hankyu Valentine’s Chocolate Expo 2026 Special Site
https://website.hankyu-dept.co.jp/honten/h/valentine/index.html

Access

Hankyu Umeda Main Store
Address: 8-7 Tsurudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-8350

Official Website: https://global.hankyu-hanshin-dept.co.jp/store/hankyuhonten/

Hankyu Men’s Osaka
Address: 7-10 Tsurudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0017

Official Website: https://web.hh-online.jp/hankyu-mens/