We are going to Japan in a little under two weeks, and we have the honor of meeting a few Japanese friends that we have known for a very long time. This is the first time that we are going to Japan however, so we are wondering whether or not we can take chocolates with us to offer as a gift. We are traveling from Europe and I know that the US is for example for picky at what they allow in, but I have no idea whether or not the customs in Japan will give us a hard time.

So, can we take chocolates to Japan from Europe? If so, do we need to declare them or can we just walk through customs without any declaration?

As long as they're packaged it's no problem and you don't need to declare them. Omiyage is a big thing, so bringing chocolate back from abroad is quite popular in Japan. I've brought chocolate into Japan at least four times myself, haha.

just take the chocolates and forget about them.

You'll be fine. As Tzadeck says, omiyage are very popular so people bring that kind of stuff through customs a lot (although Japanese people sometimes buy their omiyage at Narita).

Please also invest in a nice gift wrapping. Japanese people seem to enjoy little details, so if you wrap the chocolate also in a nice gift paper they will enjoy it even more. I never had a problem to bring chocolate to Japan! I remember when I traveled to Japan in January 2011 and I send box of chocolate from serenata chocolates to my friends back home and it wasn't a problem as well. I also added some Godiva chocolate (one of my favorites)

While they don't fall into the "Ooh, fancy" category, Reece's Peanut Butter cups have been well received the times I've brought them to Japan. Though I hear you can find them at Seiyu now.

I've brought several bags of the small cups through, the big Halloween candy bulk type bags. Never had any problems.