With Valentines Day quickly approaching, we were on the lookout for some places to buy unique chocolate and sweets for those you love. Below our some of our suggestions that will add a little something extra to your Valentine’s Day giving. And guys, don’t forget White Day is just around the corner as well.
Matsue
15 minutes walk (1 km) from Matsue Castle, Pays Natal a variety of confectionary, from cakes and choux croquant to macaroons and bûche. They also offer a variety of chocolates, all made in-house and offer a special Valentine’s box perfect for that special someone, some of which are praline chocolates made with their almonds freshly ground from their kitchen. If the person you are buying for isn’t a fan of chocolates, they also carry a wide variety of other small sweets like arlettes, saut-non and almond covered doigts, which are a personal favorite.
Hikawa
Nestled amongst the green farming fields of Hikawa sits the artistic gallery of La Chocolaterie Nanairo a very contemporary and stylish chocolate workshop and café offering inspired sweets using an ancient method of production that ends with an additive-free work of craftsmanship. A Fairtrade partner, the owner of Nanairo creates chocolate in small, numbered batches which means that each batch is unique and never available again and seasonal themes that are made from different cacao production areas from around the world. Be sure to check for their visually stunning limited-edition chocolates (pictured above), perfect as a Valentine’s Day gift to impress.
Onanchou
If you’re up for some fresh air and a scenic mountain drive, head out to Milk and Beans Mui in Onanchou. As the name implies, the theme here is milk, cacao, cocoa, and coffee. They offer a variety of unique products including high quality chocolate intended for making your own sweets, milk jams (yes jam made of milk), ice-cream, and my personal favorite, Ushinofun (Cow Poop); a delightful and fluffy cookie-type confection perfect for that special someone with a sense of humor.
Izumo
Near the top of the shopping district leading up to Taisha Shrine is the small but fashionable chocolatier, Okinogami Blue Cacao’s, which offers a wide variety of your favorite chocolate products all made from carefully selected beans from around the world. Some of the highlights include unique items like cacao milk, blue chocolate, white chocolate with Ghanaian roasted cacao nibs, baked white chocolate, and locally sourced Izumo matcha chocolate and a full range of dark chocolates.