When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: San Diego uses the USD ($) and Tokyo uses the JPY (¥). Language shifts too — English in San Diego, Japanese in Tokyo. Be careful behind the wheel: San Diego drives on the right, Tokyo 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 San Diego and Tokyo?
San Diego is 16 hours ahead of Tokyo. San Diego runs on GMT-7 and Tokyo 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?
Standard 09:00–17:00 workdays don't intersect. Most teams compromise with one side meeting early (before 09:00) or late (after 17:00).
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 San Diego from Tokyo?
About 8,989 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 11h 4m, 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 San Diego and Tokyo use?
San Diego uses the United States dollar (USD, $); Tokyo 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 San Diego from Tokyo?
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 San Diego and Tokyo?
San Diego primarily speaks English; Tokyo speaks Japanese. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do San Diego and Tokyo 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.