Yokohama Time: Frequently Asked Questions

What Time Is It in Yokohama Right Now?

At 139.65°E, Yokohama sits east of Japan's standard meridian. The clock reads Japan Standard Time (JST), UTC+9. The IANA identifier is Asia/Tokyo. No separate zone exists for Yokohama; all of Japan shares the same clock time.

For the current time, check the live clock. Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) maintains the time using atomic clocks in Koganei, Tokyo. NICT distributes it via NTP servers (ntp.nict.jp) and the JJY radio signal from transmitters in Fukushima (40 kHz) and Kyushu (60 kHz).

Most public clocks in Yokohama stations and government buildings are radio-synced. A smartphone or computer syncs automatically when set to Asia/Tokyo.

Is Yokohama the Same Time as Tokyo?

Yes. Yokohama and Tokyo share identical clock time. Both cities use Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) in the Asia/Tokyo zone. The entire country has been a single time zone since 1 January 1888, when the government unified local solar times at the 135°E meridian.

A meeting set for 10:00 in Tokyo is 10:00 in Yokohama. Train timetables match. Flight departure times from Haneda or Narita use the same clock.

The only gap: telephone area codes. Yokohama uses 045; Tokyo uses 03.

Does Japan Have Daylight Saving Time?

No. Japan does not observe daylight saving time. The country ran DST from 1948 to 1951 under Allied occupation. It was abolished in 1952 after sovereignty was restored. It has not returned.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry last studied DST in 2011-2012 after the Fukushima energy crisis. Costs outweighed benefits. No legislative proposals are active.

Because Japan never shifts its clocks, the gap between Yokohama and DST-observing countries changes twice a year. In January, New York is 14 hours behind Yokohama. In July, New York is 13 hours behind. The gap shrinks by one hour when those countries "spring forward." For more detail, see the Daylight Saving Time page.

What Is the Time Difference Between Yokohama and Major Cities?

The figures below show offsets on 15 January 2026 (Northern Hemisphere winter) and 15 July 2026 (summer). The July column reflects DST where it applies.

When a DST-observing city enters summer time, the gap to Yokohama shrinks by one hour. Cities without DST (Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Johannesburg) keep the same offset all year.

For city-specific converter tools, visit the converters page.

Does Yokohama Use a 24-Hour Clock?

Both formats appear, but the 24-hour system is standard for schedules and official purposes.

Train and bus timetables always use it (14:30, not 2:30 PM). Business hours are typically written in it (9:00-17:30). Digital clocks and phones default to it.

In casual speech, Japanese speakers use 12-hour AM/PM but often drop the indicator in writing. Context fills the gap. A sign reading "ランチ 11:00-14:00" means lunch from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

What Calendar Does Japan Use?

The Gregorian system handles all civil purposes: business, government, education, daily scheduling. Japan follows the same dates as most of the world.

Official documents also carry the imperial era year. The current era is Reiwa (令和), which began 1 May 2019. The year 2026 is Reiwa 8 (令和8年).

You will see the imperial year on driver's licenses, health insurance cards, some government forms and certain contracts. You will not see it on smartphone calendars, business scheduling software, airline tickets or train passes. The previous era, Heisei, ran from 1989 to 2019 and may still appear on older documents.

What Year Is It in the Japanese Era System?

2026 is Reiwa 8 (令和8年).

Convert: Reiwa year = Gregorian year minus 2018. So 2026 minus 2018 equals 8.

The era year matters when filling out forms at the Yokohama ward office, applying for a residence card, or checking contract expiry dates. If a form asks for "和暦" (wareki), write 令和8年 or simply 8. Staff are accustomed to foreigners using the Gregorian year.

When Is Sunrise and Sunset in Yokohama?

At 35.433°N, Yokohama's daylight swings hard across the year.

Solar noon in Yokohama occurs around 11:42 JST year-round. The city sits at 139.65°E, east of the 135°E standard meridian, so the clock runs slightly ahead of true solar time.

For daily figures, see the Yokohama Sunrise & Sunset guide.

What Are Yokohama's Business Hours?

Standard hours across the city:

• Offices: 9:00-17:30 or 9:00-18:00, Monday to Friday. Lunch break typically 12:00-13:00.
• Banks: Counters 9:00-15:00 weekdays. ATMs run 7:00-23:00 or 24/7 at convenience stores (Seven Bank, Lawson Bank).
• Ward offices: 8:45-17:15, Monday to Friday. Some wards open one evening per week, typically Wednesday until 19:00.
• Department stores: 10:00-20:00.
• Shopping malls (Minato Mirai area): Shops 11:00-20:00; restaurants until 22:00-23:00.
• Convenience stores: 24/7 (Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson).
• Supermarkets: 9:00-22:00 or 23:00; a few locations stay open 24 hours.
• Restaurants: Lunch 11:00-14:00; dinner 18:00-21:00. Last orders often 21:00-22:00.
• Yokohama Chinatown: Restaurants generally 11:00-22:00. Some shops close Wednesday or Thursday.

Yokohama is not a 24-hour city in the way parts of Tokyo are. Outside Minato Mirai and major station areas, late-night options thin out.

For detailed hours by category, see the Business Hours in Yokohama guide.

When Is the Best Time to Call Yokohama?

Windows depend on where you are calling from. Times below are caller's local time, with the corresponding JST.

Country code: +81. Yokohama landline area code: 045. Mobile prefixes: 090, 080, 070.

Do not assume Japan observes DST when calculating call times. If your calendar app auto-adjusts for DST in your country, that side is correct, but Japan's side never changes.

For more detail, see the Best Time to Call Yokohama page.

How Does Jet Lag Affect Travel to Yokohama?

The offset from North America or Europe is large.

From the US West Coast, Yokohama is 16 to 17 hours ahead. An afternoon departure lands the next evening. You lose a day. From the US East Coast, the gap is 13 to 14 hours. From Europe, it is 8 to 9 hours: an afternoon departure from London or Paris arrives the next morning.

On arrival, get daylight immediately. Morning light resets the circadian rhythm. Do not nap the first day if you land in the morning. Melatonin is prescription-only in Japan and not widely stocked. Bring your own if you use it, but check import rules first.

For complete tips, see the Jet Lag to Japan guide.

What Happens With Time During Japanese Holidays?

Public holidays follow the Gregorian system, not the lunar one. Several shift to create three-day weekends under the "Happy Monday" rule.

Key 2026 holidays that affect scheduling:

• New Year's Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
• Coming of Age Day: Monday, 12 January 2026
• Emperor's Birthday: Monday, 23 February 2026
• Vernal Equinox Day: Friday, 20 March 2026
• Golden Week: 29 April (Showa Day) through 6 May (substitute holiday). Many businesses close entirely.
• Marine Day: Monday, 20 July 2026
• Respect for the Aged Day: Monday, 21 September 2026
• Autumnal Equinox Day: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
• Sports Day: Monday, 12 October 2026
• Labor Thanksgiving Day: Monday, 23 November 2026
• New Year closure: 29 December to 3 January. Government offices, banks and many businesses shut.

Japan's clocks do not move. A holiday Monday runs on the same clock as any other Monday. Only which businesses open or close changes.

One common mix-up: Japan does not follow the Chinese lunar calendar for national holidays. The Chinese New Year celebration in Yokohama Chinatown is a cultural event, not a public holiday.

For the full list, see the Japan Public Holidays 2026 page.