Three numbers. The ones that decide the meeting.
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 José uses the CRC (₡) and Sapporo uses the JPY (¥). Language shifts too — Spanish in San José, Japanese in Sapporo. Be careful behind the wheel: San José drives on the right, Sapporo on the left.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Capital
- San José
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón (CRC · ₡)
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +506
- 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 José and Sapporo?
San José is 15 hours ahead of Sapporo. San José runs on GMT-6 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?
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 José from Sapporo?
About 12,541 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 15h 15m, 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 José and Sapporo use?
San José uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); 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 San José from Sapporo?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 00), then +506, 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 José and Sapporo?
San José primarily speaks Spanish; Sapporo speaks Japanese. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do San José and Sapporo drive on the same side of the road?
No. Costa Rica 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.