What Time Is Evening In Japan? | Most People Were Shocked To Know!

When does evening in Japan begin and end? We asked a lot of people only to find out that many weren’t sure at all!

As you consider the progression of your day, you might be intrigued by the precise times that mark each phase, especially the transition between afternoon and evening. 

Thanks to insights from meteorological experts in Japan, we now have a clearer understanding of these daily time segments.

In Japan, conclusions drawn by specialists from the Japan Meteorological Agency outline that evening officially commences at 3:00 p.m. 

   

This detail might come as a surprise given the common inclination to place evening later in the day. The time divisions are as follows:

Time Frame	Period
12:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.	Pre-Dawn
3:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.	Dawn
6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	Morning
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Before Noon
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.	After Noon
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.	Evening
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Early Night
9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.	Late Night

During the year, the daylight varies, which can make some evenings feel exceptionally bright or dark earlier than expected. 

Geographic differences further influence perception, with areas such as mountains or regions like Hokkaido experiencing earlier sunsets, thus altering the locals’ sense of time.

Acknowledging these subdivisions illuminates the natural tempo of your routines and activities. Whether you’re savoring a snack at 3:00 p.m., known now as an ‘evening snack’, or simply winding down during the brighter spans of evening, you have a framework to contextually place these moments.

Embracing this understanding encourages a more structured view of your day to day cycle, even as the sunlight varies across Japan’s diverse landscapes.

Defining ‘Evening’ in Japan’s Local Time

In Japan, the evening is typically recognized as starting from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with this period often called “evening” or “early evening.” The concept of evening may differ slightly based on the context and local customs.

Typical Evening Hours in Tokyo

For those spending time in Tokyo, you can generally expect evening hours to fall between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. This is the time span most commonly referred to as evening in daily life and activities.

Converting Japan Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time

To convert Japan Standard Time (JST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), you’ll need to subtract 14 hours from JST. For example, if it’s 7:00 p.m. in Tokyo (JST), it would be 5:00 a.m. on the same day in New York (EST).

Japan Standard Time (JST)	Eastern Standard Time (EST)
7:00 p.m.	5:00 a.m.

Transition from Afternoon to Evening in Japan

Afternoon in Japan typically ends around 6:00 p.m., at which point the evening begins. This transition is aligned with the workday schedule and the gradual change of daylight.

Converting Your Local Time to Japanese Evening Time

To convert your local time to Japanese evening time, you’ll want to identify the time difference between your timezone and Japan Standard Time, then apply that difference to the typical evening hours in Japan (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.).

Distinction Between AM and PM in Japanese Time

Japanese time distinguishes between the morning and the afternoon/evening with AM, denoted by 午前 (gozen), and PM, denoted by 午後 (gogo). Your time in the AM is before noon, and PM is after noon until midnight.