Current Time in Tokyo
Japan
Tokyo runs on Japan Standard Time year-round, consistently many hours ahead of the UK.
Today in Tokyo
UK time (BST)
UK local time
UK local time
Sunrise to sunset
75% illuminated
Next change to GMT on Sunday, 25 October 2026
Tokyo today, at a glance
The sun rises in Tokyo at 05:35 and sets at 17:25 today, giving a day length of about 11h 50m. The UK is currently on BST (British Summer Time), with the next clock change to GMT due on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Tonight's moon is a waning gibbous, 75% illuminated. Sunrise, sunset and moon figures are calculated from Tokyo's coordinates using standard astronomical calculations, and update automatically each day.
Time difference from the UK
Tokyo uses Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) all year and never changes its clocks. Tokyo is 8 hours ahead of the UK during British Summer Time, and 9 hours ahead during GMT (winter), because the shift comes entirely from the UK's own clock changes.
When it is 3pm in the UK, it is normally 11pm in Tokyo.
Best time to call
Early morning UK time (around 7am-9am) usually falls in Tokyo's late afternoon or early evening, which is often the most workable overlap for calls between the two.
Good to know
- Japan abolished daylight saving time decades ago, so Tokyo's clocks are the same all year - only the UK side of the gap moves.
- Tokyo shares its time zone with much of East Asia, though the UK time difference quoted here is specific to Japan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between the UK and Tokyo?
Tokyo is 9 hours ahead of the UK during winter (GMT) and 8 hours ahead during British Summer Time, since Tokyo's clocks never change.
Is Tokyo ahead of or behind the UK?
Tokyo is always ahead of the UK, by either 8 or 9 hours depending on the time of year.