Best Times to Call Japan from the U.S. (Without Waking Someone Up)
Let’s be real — calling someone in Japan when you’re in the U.S. can feel like solving a math puzzle. Tokyo is 13 to 16 hours ahead depending on where you live and whether daylight saving time is messing with you.
So if you don’t want to accidentally wake someone up at 2:00 AM or call during their dinner, here’s what you need to know.
🧠 Quick Answer: Best Time to Call Japan from the U.S.
| Your Location | Best Call Time in Japan | Your Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| New York (EST/EDT) | 8 AM – 10 AM | 7 PM – 9 PM (Previous day) |
| Chicago (CST/CDT) | 8 AM – 10 AM | 6 PM – 8 PM (Previous day) |
| Los Angeles (PST/PDT) | 8 AM – 10 AM | 4 PM – 6 PM (Previous day) |
👉 Pro tip: Morning in Japan = Evening in the U.S. That’s your sweet spot.
🌏 Why Is Japan So Far Ahead?
Japan is in Japan Standard Time (JST) — which is always UTC +9. They don’t do daylight saving time, which makes things simpler on their end, but trickier if you’re in the U.S. because your clock does change twice a year.
So, depending on the season, Japan might be:
- 13 hours ahead of Eastern Time
- 14 hours ahead of Central Time
- 16 hours ahead of Pacific Time
☠️ Worst Time to Call (Don’t Be That Person)
Avoid calling between 11 PM and 7 AM JST. That’s when most people in Japan are asleep. If you’re on the East Coast and it’s 9 AM for you, it’s already 10 PM over there — cutting it close.
If you’re on the West Coast, don’t even think about calling in the morning. 8 AM in LA is 1 AM in Tokyo.
📱 What About Video Calls or Work Meetings?
If you’re setting up a Zoom call or business meeting, aim for:
- Japan: 9 AM – 11 AM JST
- U.S. East Coast: 8 PM – 10 PM (previous day)
- U.S. West Coast: 5 PM – 7 PM (previous day)
This avoids early morning grogginess in Japan and late-night burnout in the U.S.
🔗 Want to Know the Time in Japan Right Now?
Here are live clock pages to help you check instantly:
- 🕒 What Time Is It in Tokyo, Japan Right Now?
- 🕒 What Time Is It in Osaka, Japan Right Now?
- 🕒 What Time Is It in Fukuoka, Japan Right Now?
✅ Final Tip
If you’re not sure, just ask:
“Hey, what time is usually good to call you in Japan?”
People appreciate that. And if you’re scheduling often, try using a free time zone converter (we’re building one too — stay tuned).