Tokyo is buzzing this week, so if you’re wondering what to do, let’s dive straight into some of the most interesting things happening around the city over the next few days.

First, Tokyo is playing host to something unusually high profile: the first ever “Central Asia plus Japan” leaders’ summit, taking place in the city on December 19 and 20. According to the Caspian Post and Times of Central Asia, leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are all in town for talks with Japan’s prime minister, along with a parallel business forum. That means the area around major government districts like Nagatacho and the Marunouchi business zone will feel more charged than usual, with motorcades, extra security, and a distinctly international crowd at top hotels and bars. If listeners enjoy people-watching, this is a great week to linger around the big hotel lobbies in Otemachi and Hibiya and soak up that summit atmosphere.

To balance the politics with some culture, head over to Harajuku and Shibuya, where the art and fashion scenes are in full swing. The Gallery Harajuku often hosts international street-art and pop-art shows, and earlier this year it featured Mark Bode’s colorful “Enter Da’ Bodéverse” exhibition, as listed by Tokyo Art Beat. The same space continues to bring in edgy, graphic-driven shows that pair perfectly with an afternoon exploring Takeshita Street and Cat Street. Listeners can start with a quiet gallery stop, then spill out into neon-lit Harajuku for crepes, vintage shopping, and late-night photos at Shibuya Crossing.

Toward the weekend, Tokyo’s big year-end illuminations are in their peak. Local city guides highlight Shibuya’s winter light displays, Marunouchi’s elegant champagne-colored trees lining the streets near Tokyo Station, and Roppongi Hills’ glowing “Keyakizaka” slope with its view of Tokyo Tower. These spots are easy to link into one evening walk, hopping between cafés for hot chocolate or mulled wine. If the weather turns chilly or wet, listeners can duck into one of Tokyo’s many department store food halls, grab seasonal sweets, and then head back out to wander through the lights.

However you choose to spend the week, Tokyo is giving you a mix of global diplomacy, underground art, and pure winter magic. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s happening next. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI