Ivan Valentin, a private chocolate brand favored by international celebrities, will once again be selling its chocolates to the general public for a limited time this Valentine's Day season. Starting on January 18th, the chocolates will be available at 14 locations nationwide.

Ivan Valentin is a Los Angeles chocolate brand known only to those in the know, previously only available in five-star hotels and other exclusive venues. Hollywood stars such as the late Michael Jackson, Sharon Stone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have also savored its chocolates. In Japan, the brand was first sold in 2010 at a single store in Tokyo, exclusively during the Valentine's Day season. Its elegant melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor have garnered attention, earning it the support of many women, including winning first place in a 2015 survey at Daimaru Kobe store in a survey of "chocolates people would like to treat themselves to." This year's Valentine's Day treats include four varieties: a pack of two (¥1,480 including tax), a pack of six (¥3,703 including tax), a pack of 12 (¥6,686 including tax), and a pack of 24 (¥12,754 including tax), plus a limited-edition 2017 package of four (¥2,571 including tax). New flavors that are popular every year include "CARAMEL SESAME," wrapped in the vibrant aroma of sesame, and "HAZELNUT," which combines the comforting crunch of nuts with the softness of chocolate. Additionally, the limited-edition "Champagne Chocolate Truffle" (¥2,571 including tax), popular for its rich flavor, is making a comeback. This chocolate features a striking black packaging, contrasting with the standard white packaging, and will be available exclusively at three stores: Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, Hankyu Umeda Main Store, and JR Nagoya Takashimaya.

The sales period will be from January 18th at Matsuzakaya Nagoya store, from January 20th at JR Nagoya Takashimaya, from January 21st at Seibu Ikebukuro store, from January 25th at Hankyu Umeda Main Store and Daimaru Kobe store, from January 26th at Daimaru Tokyo store and Yokohama Takashimaya, from January 27th at Barneys New York Ginza store and Sogo Yokohama store, from January 31st at Nagoya Mitsukoshi Sakae store, and from February 1st at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tamagawa Takashimaya and Daimaru Sapporo store. All will run until February 14th.