Time difference between Los Angeles and Tokyo
Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Tokyo for most of the year, but 16 hours in July.
Live time in Los Angeles and Tokyo
Why is the time different?
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles is on PST and Tokyo is on GMT+9. In July they are on PDT and GMT+9.
- In 2026, the clocks in Los Angeles go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- Tokyo does not change its clocks, so it uses GMT+9 all year.
- From March 8 to October 31 (238 days) Los Angeles is 16 hours behind Tokyo.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles (8:30 am), it is 1:30 am the next day in Tokyo, and children there are fast asleep.
- When school ends in Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 8 am the next day in Tokyo, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school.
- When children go to bed in Los Angeles (8 pm), it is 1 pm the next day in Tokyo, and children there are at school.
- When school finishes in Tokyo (3 pm), it is 10 pm the day before in Los Angeles, and children there are asleep.
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started.
Fun fact: children in Los Angeles will be in bed before school finishes in Tokyo!
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on Los Angeles's clock. The top row shows Los Angeles. The bottom row shows what is happening in Tokyo at that very same time.
Best time to call
- Most of the year: there is no comfortable daytime overlap. One of you will need to start early or finish late.
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| Los Angeles | Tokyo | Call? |
|---|
Los Angeles time to Tokyo time
| Los Angeles | Tokyo (January) | Tokyo (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 11 pm | 10 pm |
| 9 am | 2 am (next day) | 1 am (next day) |
| 12 pm | 5 am (next day) | 4 am (next day) |
| 3 pm | 8 am (next day) | 7 am (next day) |
| 6 pm | 11 am (next day) | 10 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 2 pm (next day) | 1 pm (next day) |
Quick quiz: Los Angeles and Tokyo
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about Los Angeles and Tokyo time
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Tokyo?
In January, Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Tokyo. In July, Los Angeles is 16 hours behind Tokyo. The gap also changes for a few weeks each year because the two places change their clocks on different dates.
Is Los Angeles ahead of or behind Tokyo?
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
In January it is 5 am (next day) in Tokyo. In July it is 4 am (next day).
Are children at school at the same time in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 8 am the next day in Tokyo, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school. Fun fact: children in Los Angeles will be in bed before school finishes in Tokyo!
What is the best time to call between Los Angeles and Tokyo?
Most of the year: there is no comfortable daytime overlap. One of you will need to start early or finish late.
Does the time difference between Los Angeles and Tokyo change?
Yes. From March 8 to October 31 (238 days) Los Angeles is 16 hours behind Tokyo.