It's almost Valentine's Day and love is in the air! Or is it?

 

Life is busy; there are children to corral, work to be done, errands to run. Making time for romance with your partner might seem like the very last item on your "To Do" list, Valentine's Day or not. But you may want to rethink those priorities.

 

Studies show and common sense agrees that couples who make time for one another, apart from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, have better, longer-lasting relationships. One (seemingly) easy way to get that time in is through "Date Nights."

 

We thought Valentine's Day would be the perfect opportunity to give you and your sweetheart some inspiration for a night out, regardless if it's on February 14 or any other night of the year!

 

 

In Japan, it's tradition for women to do the gift-giving and chocolate is the sweet of choice (don't worry, ladies - your man is expected to return the favor on White Day on March 14). You can kick your chocolate game up a notch with a night out at one of Tokyo's super-trendy bean-to-bar chocolate spots. Dandelion Chocolate Japan not only offers delicious chocolate-based treats - you can also watch them make the confections you're enjoying at the factory in Kuramae.

 

 

Dinner, drinks and chocolates are always a good move, but what about something a little more active for you and your Valentine? On weekends and holidays, you can climb 600 stairs to the very top of Tokyo Tower. You have a 150-meter ascent to spend whispering or wheezing sweet nothings to one another. Once you reach the top, you can take in the breathtaking views of Tokyo and you'll also receive a certificate celebrating your completion of the climb. Don't worry - you can take the elevator back down.

 

 

Mid-February isn't just for National Foundation Day and Valentine's, it's also the beginning of plum blossom season in Tokyo. Join hundreds of other anthophiles (that means "flower lovers") at the Bunkyo Ume Matsuri. The Yushima Tenmangu Shrine has more than 300 plum trees on its ground, so you can be confident you'll be surrounded by beauty - including your date!

 

Once you've exhausted yourself posing for photos in front of the trees, head to the nearby Daichi-no Okurimono for an all-you-can-drink Umeshu buffet.

 

 

Ideally, date night gets you and your partner out of the house and participating in society, but sometimes the most memorable and intimate evenings are spent on your very own couch. Hire a sitter to keep the kids safe and entertained elsewhere and queue up a marathon of Valentine's Day- appropriate flicks, like The Notebook or Police Academy. Stock up on snacks from the conbini (Gummi Bears, Hi-Chew, Jerky) and cuddle up on the couch for an inexpensive, low-key night next to the one you love.