The calendar
| Date (CT) | Time CT | What opens |
|---|---|---|
| Now | Any time | Hakone ryokan with a private open-air bath. Flights. A Tokyo hotel, ideally with free cancellation. |
| Now (Kyoto add-on) | Any time | smartEX Shinkansen requests open 1 year ahead. Your train and seat are confirmed one month before travel. |
| Now | Check | teamLab Planets timed tickets sell online. Feb 2027 release timing is not confirmed, so check the official store. |
| Sun Nov 1, 2026 | n/a | US clocks fall back. Japan moves from 14 to 15 hours ahead of CT. Same day, Japan's tax-free shopping switches to a refund at the airport. |
| Sat Jan 9, 2027 | 7:00 PM | Ghibli Museum, every February date (10 AM JST Jan 10). |
| Ride date minus one month | 7:00 PM the night before | Romancecar seats (10 AM JST one month ahead). |
| 14 days before your visit | 9:00 AM | Shibuya Sky (midnight JST, 14 days ahead). |
| Sun Jan 24, 2027 | n/a | Tokyo's January sumo tournament ends. Nothing in February. |
| Thu Feb 11, 2027 | n/a | National Foundation Day, a Japanese public holiday. |
The conversion rule
For anything that opens at 10 AM JST on a date, set your alarm for 7 PM CT the evening before. Midnight JST is 9 AM CT the same calendar day before. This holds from Nov 1 to your trip.
Romancecar math for any date
Ride date minus one month, at 10 AM JST. For a Fri Feb 12 ride, seats open Tue Jan 12, 10 AM JST, which is Mon Jan 11, 7 PM CT.
FAQ
How many hours ahead is Japan of Central Time?
15 hours from Sun Nov 1, 2026 (14 hours before that). Japan does not use daylight saving time.
When do Ghibli Museum February 2027 tickets go on sale in CT?
Sat Jan 9, 2027 at 7 PM CT (Jan 10, 10 AM JST).
When does Shibuya Sky release tickets?
Each date opens 14 days ahead at midnight JST, which is 9 AM CT.
What changed with tax-free shopping?
From Nov 1, 2026 you pay full price and get the tax refunded after a customs check at departure.
Want the rest worked out for you?