Tokyo's Christmas trees

Christmas in Japan, which is celebrated on December 25, is markedly different from the usual European idea of this holiday. The Christian tradition is not widespread here, so Christmas has no religious content and is perceived primarily as a secular and commercial event. At the same time, the Japanese version of the holiday surprises with thoughtfulness, visual harmony and restrained elegance characteristic of the country. The main symbols of the season are the festive scenery - primarily Christmas trees - as well as special winter sweets, among which Christmas cakes occupy a special place. The most expressive examples of festive decoration can be seen in the heart of Tokyo, among modern office buildings and the strict architecture of business districts.

With the onset of December, the city center changes markedly. The space is filled with soft light, and the usual business landscape acquires an almost fabulous mood. Christmas trees installed in large buildings and shopping complexes become full-fledged art objects. Their design is carefully thought out: color, light and form enter into a dialogue with the surrounding architecture. In this context, the Christmas tree ceases to be just a decoration and becomes part of the urban atmosphere.

This photo album is a quiet walk through Christmas Tokyo. There are trees in the iconic buildings of the city center, reflections of lights in the glass of skyscrapers and that very Japanese interpretation of Christmas: restrained, graceful and in its own way very warm.