Tulip giving day

Today, and January 31st annually, is Tulip Giving Day “チューリップを贈る日.” The anniversary was established by the Tonami Cut Flower Research Association in Toyama Prefecture. The group chose the date through a playful combination of numbers and sounds: “1” evokes the “I” of ai (love), while “31” can be read as sai (one reading for the kanji for wife), creating the message “love your wife.”

Today, is also "Beloved Wife Day", for the same reason as "tulip giving day" - the way the date January 31st can be read in Japanese. But no doubt they wanted to form a connection between that anniversary and buying tulips! Indeed, the day encourages people to express appreciation by giving tulips, a flower deeply associated with kindness and heartfelt emotion. The commemorative day was officially recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2019. 

Toyama is one of Japan’s leading tulip‑producing regions, with cultivation dating back to 1918, supported by its cool climate, fertile soil, and high‑quality water. Today, the prefecture boasts the highest shipment volume in the country. They have a famous Tonami Tulip Fair, held every Golden Week, where millions of tulips bloom in vibrant displays. The photo in this post though is of tulips, with cherry blossoms, in Saitama Prefecture.