Time difference between London and Tokyo
London is 9 hours behind Tokyo for most of the year, but 8 hours in July.
Live time in London and Tokyo
Why is the time different?
London and Tokyo are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. Tokyo sees each new day first.In January London is on GMT and Tokyo is on GMT+9. In July they are on GMT+1 and GMT+9.
- In 2026, the clocks in London go forward on March 29 and back on October 25.
- Tokyo does not change its clocks, so it uses GMT+9 all year.
- From March 29 to October 24 (210 days) London is 8 hours behind Tokyo.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in London and Tokyo
What are children doing in the other city? (We use 8:30 am to 3 pm for school, and January clocks.)
- When school starts in London (8:30 am), it is 5:30 pm in Tokyo, and children there are having dinner with their family.
- When school ends in London (3 pm), it is 12 am the next day in Tokyo, and children there are fast asleep.
- When children go to bed in London (8 pm), it is 5 am the next day in Tokyo, and children there are fast asleep.
- When school finishes in Tokyo (3 pm), it is 6 am in London, and children there are just waking up.
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started.
Fun fact: children in London are fast asleep when school starts in Tokyo!
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on London's clock. The top row shows London. The bottom row shows what is happening in Tokyo at that very same time.
Best time to call
- In January: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 11 am in London (5 pm to 8 pm in Tokyo).
- In July: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 12 pm in London (4 pm to 8 pm in Tokyo).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| London | Tokyo | Call? |
|---|
London time to Tokyo time
| London | Tokyo (January) | Tokyo (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 3 pm | 2 pm |
| 9 am | 6 pm | 5 pm |
| 12 pm | 9 pm | 8 pm |
| 3 pm | 12 am (next day) | 11 pm |
| 6 pm | 3 am (next day) | 2 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 6 am (next day) | 5 am (next day) |
Quick quiz: London and Tokyo
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about London and Tokyo time
What is the time difference between London and Tokyo?
In January, London is 9 hours behind Tokyo. In July, London is 8 hours behind Tokyo. The gap also changes for a few weeks each year because the two places change their clocks on different dates.
Is London ahead of or behind Tokyo?
London is behind Tokyo in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Tokyo when it is 12 noon in London?
In January it is 9 pm in Tokyo. In July it is 8 pm.
Are children at school at the same time in London and Tokyo?
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started. When school ends in London (3 pm), it is 12 am the next day in Tokyo, and children there are fast asleep. Fun fact: children in London are fast asleep when school starts in Tokyo!
What is the best time to call between London and Tokyo?
In January: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 11 am in London (5 pm to 8 pm in Tokyo). In July: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 12 pm in London (4 pm to 8 pm in Tokyo).
Does the time difference between London and Tokyo change?
Yes. From March 29 to October 24 (210 days) London is 8 hours behind Tokyo.