London to Tokyo Time Conversion
Converting London time to Tokyo time is essential for business, travel, or keeping in touch with friends and family in Japan. The time difference between London and Tokyo ranges from 8 to 9 hours, depending on whether the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or British Summer Time (BST). Japan does not observe daylight saving time, so the gap shifts with the UK clocks. Use the live dual-clock converter above to see the current time in both cities instantly, or visit Time.now for a full world clock.
The London to Tokyo Time Difference
When London is on GMT (late October to late March), Tokyo is 9 hours ahead. For example, 12:00 noon in London is 21:00 (9:00 PM) in Tokyo. When London switches to BST (late March to late October), the difference narrows to 8 hours: 12:00 noon in London becomes 20:00 (8:00 PM) in Tokyo. Japan Standard Time (JST) is UTC+9 year-round, while London alternates between UTC+0 (GMT) and UTC+1 (BST). This means the time difference is never more than 9 hours, making it manageable for scheduling.
For more details on UK time zones, see Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and British Summer Time (BST). If you are comparing other major cities, check London To New York Time or London To Sydney Time.
London to Tokyo Conversion Table
| London (GMT/BST) | Tokyo (JST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 (midnight) GMT | 09:00 | 9 hours ahead |
| 06:00 GMT | 15:00 | 9 hours ahead |
| 09:00 GMT | 18:00 | 9 hours ahead |
| 12:00 noon GMT | 21:00 | 9 hours ahead |
| 15:00 GMT | 00:00 (next day) | 9 hours ahead |
| 18:00 GMT | 03:00 (next day) | 9 hours ahead |
| 00:00 BST | 08:00 | 8 hours ahead |
| 09:00 BST | 17:00 | 8 hours ahead |
| 12:00 noon BST | 20:00 | 8 hours ahead |
| 18:00 BST | 02:00 (next day) | 8 hours ahead |
Best Times to Schedule Calls
Finding a suitable time for both sides requires considering the 8-9 hour gap. The best overlap is typically during the late morning in London and early evening in Tokyo, or late afternoon in London and early morning in Tokyo. For business calls, aim for London 09:00-11:00 (Tokyo 17:00-20:00) during BST, or London 10:00-12:00 (Tokyo 19:00-21:00) during GMT. Avoid London late evenings as it becomes early morning in Tokyo.
| London Time | Tokyo Time | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 BST | 16:00 | Good for early London, late Tokyo |
| 10:00 BST | 18:00 | Ideal overlap |
| 12:00 BST | 20:00 | Good for lunch in London |
| 14:00 BST | 22:00 | Late for Tokyo |
| 09:00 GMT | 18:00 | Ideal overlap |
| 11:00 GMT | 20:00 | Good |
For more time comparisons, visit time in London or TimeRight.Now for worldwide city times. You can also check CurrentTime.now for a multi-city world clock view.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between London and Tokyo?
The time difference is 9 hours when London is on GMT (late October to late March) and 8 hours when London is on BST (late March to late October). Tokyo is always ahead.
Does Japan observe daylight saving time?
No, Japan does not observe daylight saving time. Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9) is used year-round.
When does the UK switch between GMT and BST?
The UK switches to BST on the last Sunday of March (clocks forward 1 hour) and back to GMT on the last Sunday of October (clocks back 1 hour). In 2026, BST starts on 29 March and ends on 25 October.
What is the best time to call Tokyo from London?
The best overlap is London 09:00-11:00 BST (Tokyo 17:00-19:00) or London 10:00-12:00 GMT (Tokyo 19:00-21:00). These times fall within typical business hours for both cities.
Is Tokyo 8 or 9 hours ahead of London?
It depends on the season. During British Summer Time (BST), Tokyo is 8 hours ahead. During Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Tokyo is 9 hours ahead.
What is the time difference if I am in London and want to call a friend in Tokyo?
If it is 12:00 noon in London, it is 20:00 (8 PM) in Tokyo during BST, or 21:00 (9 PM) during GMT. Adjust accordingly.