When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Anchorage uses the USD ($) and Sapporo uses the JPY (¥). Language shifts too — English in Anchorage, Japanese in Sapporo. Be careful behind the wheel: Anchorage drives on the right, Sapporo on the left.
- Country
- United States
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD · $)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Drives on
- Right
- Country
- Japan
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY · ¥)
- Language
- Japanese
- Calling code
- +81
- Drives on
- Left
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Anchorage and Sapporo?
Anchorage is 17 hours ahead of Sapporo. Anchorage runs on GMT-8 and Sapporo on GMT+9. The gap can shift by an hour when either side enters or leaves daylight saving — the live clocks above always reflect the current offset.
When's the best time to schedule a meeting?
There are 1 hour where both cities are inside a 09:00–17:00 workday. Aim for the middle of that window so neither side is starting or closing out.
Does daylight saving time change the difference?
Yes, if either city observes DST. When one side shifts and the other doesn't, the gap changes by one hour. The DST badges under each clock show whether each zone is currently shifted and when the next transition lands.
How far is Anchorage from Sapporo?
About 4,832 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 6h 11m, not counting airport time, winds, or routing around restricted airspace.
Can I send this meeting time as a calendar invite?
Yes. Pick a time on the slider above, open the meeting card, customize the title and duration, then download the .ics file. It imports cleanly into Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar with the correct timezone attached.
What currency do Anchorage and Sapporo use?
Anchorage uses the United States dollar (USD, $); Sapporo uses the Japanese yen (JPY, ¥). Check the live rate before transferring money or paying with a card abroad — most banks add a 1–3 % FX margin on top of the mid-market rate.
How do I call Anchorage from Sapporo?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 00), then +1, then the local number — drop any leading zero of the city or mobile code. For free calls, WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi regardless of country code.
What language is spoken in Anchorage and Sapporo?
Anchorage primarily speaks English; Sapporo speaks Japanese. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do Anchorage and Sapporo drive on the same side of the road?
No. United States drives on the right, Japan on the left. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.