Golden hour and light for photographers in Tokyo
High clouds may light up at sunset, worth shooting the sky.
21°overcast, feels 23°, wind 4 km/h
Colourful sky. High clouds may light up at sunset, worth shooting the sky.
| Window | Time | Cloud | Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue hour, morning | 05:11–05:21 | 45 % | Rain |
| Golden hour, morning | 05:21–06:11 | 40 % | Colourful sky |
| Golden hour, evening | 16:51–17:41 | 59 % | Colourful sky |
| Blue hour, evening | 17:41–17:50 | 59 % | Colourful sky |
Not a day for an outdoor shoot.
7-day shoot planner
Best day for an outdoor shoot: Saturday 3 October (10/10).
| Day | Morning golden | Evening golden | Evening light | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 2 October | 05:21–06:11 | 16:51–17:41 | Colourful sky | 4/10 |
| Saturday 3 October | 05:22–06:12 | 16:50–17:39 | Clean, warm light | 10/10 |
| Sunday 4 October | 05:23–06:12 | 16:48–17:38 | Colourful sky | 10/10 |
| Monday 5 October | 05:24–06:13 | 16:47–17:36 | Soft, diffused light | 6/10 |
| Tuesday 6 October | 05:24–06:14 | 16:45–17:35 | Colourful sky | 10/10 |
| Wednesday 7 October | 05:25–06:15 | 16:44–17:34 | Colourful sky | 9/10 |
| Thursday 8 October | 05:26–06:16 | 16:42–17:32 | Clean, warm light | 10/10 |
How we calculate it
The golden hour is when the sun is between 4° below and 6° above the horizon: warm light, long soft shadows. The blue hour is when the sun is 6° to 4° below the horizon: a deep blue sky for city and evening portraits. Times come from the NOAA solar equations for each city; the light quality from the forecast of low, mid and high cloud at that time.
Frequently asked
01When is golden hour today?
Morning 05:21–06:11, Evening 16:51–17:41.
02Can I shoot on an overcast day?
Yes. An even cloud layer works like a huge softbox: soft light with no harsh shadows, flattering for portraits and skin. You just won't get golden-hour colour.