Tokyo Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in Japan's bustling capital
Planning a call with colleagues in Tokyo, trying to catch the Nikkei opening, or wondering if that ramen shop in Shinjuku will still be open when you arrive? Understanding Tokyo's time zone is essential.
Tokyo runs on Japan Standard Time (JST), which is UTC+9 year-round. Unlike most countries, Japan does not observe daylight saving time — the clocks never change, making time calculations refreshingly simple.
But knowing JST is just the beginning. What matters is understanding how time worksin practice in Tokyo — when businesses actually open, when the last train leaves, and why you should never schedule a meeting during Golden Week.
⚡ Quick Facts: Tokyo Time Zone
Time Zone Basics
- • Time Zone: JST (UTC+9)
- • Daylight Saving: Not observed
- • Clocks Change: Never
- • Same as: Korea (KST), parts of Indonesia
Key Time Differences
- • New York: +14 hours
- • London: +9 hours
- • Sydney: +2 hours (varies)
- • Los Angeles: +17 hours
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter
Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Shops, banks, restaurants, and konbini in Tokyo
Best Time to Visit
Cherry blossoms, weather, crowds, and events
Remote Work Guide
Working with Tokyo teams across time zones
24 Hours in Tokyo
The city's daily rhythm from dawn to last train
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling times from major cities worldwide
Stock Market Hours
TSE & Nikkei trading times for global investors
Japanese Holidays
Golden Week, Obon, and what to expect
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking, cafes, WiFi, and cost of living
Time Difference
Tokyo time compared to NYC, London, Sydney
Travel Planning
Flight times, jet lag tips, and arrival advice
Understanding Tokyo Time
Why Japan Doesn't Use Daylight Saving
Japan briefly used DST during the US occupation (1948-1951) but abandoned it due to public opposition. The Japanese lifestyle, with its emphasis on long working hours and the importance of natural light for agriculture, made the change unpopular. Today, Japan's consistent UTC+9 makes international scheduling easier — you only need to account for other countries' DST changes.
The Challenge of Tokyo Time for Westerners
Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of New York and 9 hours ahead of London. This creates a significant challenge for real-time collaboration. When Tokyo's business day starts at 9 AM, it's 7 PM the previous day in New York. The limited overlap window (early morning Tokyo = late afternoon US) requires careful planning.
Tokyo Morning (9 AM JST)
- • New York: 7 PM previous day (EST)
- • London: 12 AM midnight (GMT)
- • Sydney: 11 AM same day (AEDT)
Tokyo Evening (6 PM JST)
- • New York: 4 AM same day (EST)
- • London: 9 AM same day (GMT)
- • Sydney: 8 PM same day (AEDT)
Tokyo Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 New York | -14 hours | 10:00 PM (previous day) |
| 🇺🇸 Los Angeles | -17 hours | 7:00 PM (previous day) |
| 🇬🇧 London | -9 hours | 3:00 AM |
| 🇫🇷 Paris | -8 hours | 4:00 AM |
| 🇦🇪 Dubai | -5 hours | 7:00 AM |
| 🇮🇳 Mumbai | -3.5 hours | 8:30 AM |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | -1 hour | 11:00 AM |
| 🇰🇷 Seoul | 0 hours | 12:00 PM |
| 🇦🇺 Sydney | +2 hours | 2:00 PM |
* Sydney difference varies due to Australian DST. See detailed time differences →
Practical Tips for Dealing with Tokyo Time
🌍 For International Business
The best overlap with US East Coast is 8-10 AM Tokyo (6-8 PM previous day NYC). For Europe, 5-7 PM Tokyo catches morning hours in London/Paris. Consider async communication — Japanese companies increasingly accept it for global teams.
✈️ For Travellers
Flying from the US? You'll cross the International Date Line and "lose" a day going west. Arrive exhausted but in daylight — push through to evening for faster adjustment. From Europe, it's a brutal 12-hour flight but only +8/9 hours time change.
📱 For Remote Workers
Tokyo's timezone makes real-time collaboration with the West challenging. Consider early morning Tokyo meetings (7-9 AM) for US afternoon overlap, or embrace async workflows. The upside: you're ahead of everyone, so you set the agenda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tokyo have daylight saving time?
No. Japan is one of the few developed countries that doesn't observe DST. The clocks stay at UTC+9 year-round, making time calculations simpler.
What's the time difference between Tokyo and New York?
Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of New York (EST) and 13 hours ahead during EDT. When it's noon in Tokyo, it's 10 PM the previous day in New York.
Is all of Japan in the same time zone?
Yes — all of Japan uses JST (UTC+9), from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. This makes domestic travel timing simple.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
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Last updated: December 2024.