San Francisco to Tokyo Time Converter
Navigate the 16-hour time difference between SF (PST/PDT) and Tokyo (JST). Live conversions, automatic DST handling, and tools for seamless scheduling across the Pacific.
Start with San Francisco
Select San Francisco as your origin. It uses Pacific Time (PT) which switches between PST (UTC-8) and PDT (UTC-7) for Daylight Saving.
Target Tokyo
Add Tokyo as your destination. Tokyo is on Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9) consistently, with no DST changes.
Live or Custom Time
Toggle Live mode to see the current time difference, or enter a custom time in San Francisco to find the corresponding time in Tokyo.
Apply the Conversion
Use the Copy button to grab the formatted time for emails or calendars. The Swap button quickly reverses the conversion direction.
Why This Converter is Key for SF-Tokyo
- Automatic DST Adjustment for SF San Francisco’s time changes twice a year. Our tool automatically accounts for these shifts, ensuring your conversions are always correct regardless of the season.
- Handles Large Time Difference The 16-17 hour difference between SF and Tokyo means dates often change. Our tool clearly indicates the date in both locations to avoid confusion.
Scheduling Across the Pacific
Best Time for Conference Calls
The ideal overlap for a live call is late afternoon in SF and morning in Tokyo. For example, 4:00 PM PDT in SF is 8:00 AM JST the next day in Tokyo.
Working Hours Alignment
When it’s 9:00 AM in SF (PDT), it’s 1:00 AM the next day in Tokyo. This means SF morning meetings are too late for Tokyo colleagues. Schedule SF meetings early for Tokyo afternoon participation.
Travel Planning
Flying from SF to Tokyo? You’ll likely arrive the next day. Use the Jet Lag Planner via the button to prepare your sleep schedule.
Common Questions about SF and Tokyo Time
What is the time difference between San Francisco and Tokyo?
Tokyo is 16 hours ahead of San Francisco when SF is on Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8). During Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7), the difference is 17 hours.
Do both cities observe Daylight Saving Time?
San Francisco observes DST, switching between PST and PDT. Tokyo does not observe DST and stays on JST (UTC+9) all year.
If it's 3 PM in San Francisco, what time is it in Tokyo?
If it’s 3:00 PM in SF during PDT, it is 8:00 AM the next day in Tokyo. During PST, it would be 7:00 AM the next day. Our converter gives you the exact time based on the date.
How We Convert Time Accurately
- Uses IANA time zones (America/Los_Angeles for SF, Asia/Tokyo for Tokyo) for precise conversions.
- Automatically adjusts for San Francisco’s DST changes, so you don’t have to remember when they occur.
- Calculates the large time difference accurately, including date changes, and displays them clearly.
- Formats the output according to your preference for easy sharing and scheduling.
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