Today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, golden hour in Japan runs from 05:37 to 06:11 in the morning (34 min) and from 16:49 to 17:22 in the evening (34 min), in local time (based on Tokyo). Blue hour follows, from 17:38 to 17:58.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's full daylight now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 05:01 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 05:21 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 05:37 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 06:11 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 11:30 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 16:49 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 17:22 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 17:38 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 17:58 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | 05:37 – 06:11 | 16:49 – 17:22 | 05:01 – 05:21 | 17:38 – 17:58 | 34 min |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 05:38 – 06:12 | 16:47 – 17:21 | 05:02 – 05:22 | 17:37 – 17:56 | 34 min |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 05:38 – 06:12 | 16:46 – 17:20 | 05:03 – 05:23 | 17:35 – 17:55 | 34 min |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 05:39 – 06:13 | 16:44 – 17:18 | 05:04 – 05:24 | 17:34 – 17:54 | 34 min |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 05:40 – 06:14 | 16:43 – 17:17 | 05:05 – 05:24 | 17:32 – 17:52 | 34 min |
| Thu, Oct 8 | 05:41 – 06:15 | 16:41 – 17:15 | 05:05 – 05:25 | 17:31 – 17:51 | 34 min |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 05:42 – 06:16 | 16:40 – 17:14 | 05:06 – 05:26 | 17:30 – 17:49 | 34 min |
How long golden hour lasts in Japan through the year
At 35.69° N, 139.69° E, the evening golden hour is longest in December (40 minutes around the 15th) and shortest in March (34 minutes). Today the Sun climbs from the horizon to 6° in 34 minutes, which is about 12.1° of elevation per hour; on the equator at an equinox that rate is close to 15° per hour. The farther the rate falls below 15°, the longer the soft light lasts.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden morning | Golden evening | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 06:50 | 38 min | 38 min | 16:50 |
| February | 06:28 | 35 min | 35 min | 17:22 |
| March | 05:52 | 34 min | 34 min | 17:48 |
| April | 05:09 | 34 min | 34 min | 18:14 |
| May | 04:36 | 36 min | 36 min | 18:39 |
| June | 04:24 | 38 min | 38 min | 18:58 |
| July | 04:36 | 37 min | 37 min | 18:57 |
| August | 04:59 | 35 min | 35 min | 18:31 |
| September | 05:23 | 34 min | 34 min | 17:49 |
| October | 05:47 | 34 min | 34 min | 17:06 |
| November | 06:16 | 37 min | 37 min | 16:34 |
| December | 06:43 | 40 min | 40 min | 16:28 |
Making the most of golden hour in Japan today
- Evening: be in position by 16:24, 25 minutes before the window opens at 16:49. Sunset is at 17:22, and blue hour keeps going until 17:58.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (05:37) and lasts until 06:11.
- Avoid solar noon (11:30), when the Sun is highest, shadows are short and contrast is harsh.
- Shoot with the Sun behind or beside the subject for a glow, and expose for the highlights. More tips are on the golden hour guide.
Time zone and coordinates
All times are calculated astronomically for Tokyo (35.69° N, 139.69° E) and shown in the local time zone (Asia/Tokyo, UTC+9). Golden hour is defined here as the period from sunrise until the Sun is 6° above the horizon and from 6° until sunset, and blue hour as the Sun between 4° and 8° below the horizon. Other cities in Japan differ by about 4 minutes per degree of longitude and by their latitude. In countries that span several time zones, the clock time also depends on the zone. Values are accurate to within about a minute and do not account for mountains, buildings or clouds.
See also
- Sunrise and sunset in Japan
- Current time in Japan
- Golden hour in every state and country
- Moon phase today · Longest day of the year · Shortest day of the year
Other places
Coordinates used: 35.69° N, 139.69° E