Have you noticed that in Japan there are some signs saying 26:00 hours, 27:00 hours, 28:00 hours? How come the hours in Japan go past 24:00 hours?
Did you know that Japan adopts a counting system for hours that can reach up to 30 hours in some specific contexts? This method is mainly used in sectors such as transportation and nightlife entertainment, where the conventional 24-hour counting is not sufficient.
The counting of hours can continue from midnight, going through 25, 26, up to 30 hours, making it easier to organize activities that extend beyond midnight without confusing it with the beginning of a new day.
Table of Contents
What is the 30-Hour System?
Unlike the 24-hour system, which ends the day at midnight (00:00), the 30-hour system extends the "day" until 6 o'clock in the morning of the following day. In this format, midnight is marked as 24:00, and the subsequent hours are counted as 25:00, 26:00, up to 30:00, with it being more common to reach a maximum of 29:00.
This is particularly useful in night services, such as railway transport, where trains can operate until after midnight. Thus, a train that departs at 1 AM in the 24-hour system would be displayed as departing at 25:00 in the 30-hour system.
Practical Applications
This system is widely used in transportation schedules, such as the "Moonlight Nagara" train, which operates at night, with schedules reaching 27:00 (or 3 am). Additionally, signs of nightlife establishments, such as bars and restaurants, often display their closing hours using this counting, indicating that they are open, for example, until 29:00 (5 am).
Differences Between the 24 and 30 Hour Systems
The main difference between the 24 and 30-hour systems is how the "new day" is treated. In the 24-hour system, the day officially changes at midnight, or 00:00. However, in the 30-hour system, the "new day" only starts at 6 AM. Thus, the hours between midnight and 6 AM are still part of the "previous day." For example:
- 24:00 in the 30-hour system corresponds to 00:00 in the 24-hour system;
- 25:00 equals 1 a.m. in the 24-hour system;
- 30:00 is equivalent to 6 am the next day.
Example of Comparison
- January 3, 06:00 = January 2, 30:00 in the 30-hour system;
- January 3, 12:00 = January 3, 12:00 in the 24-hour system;
- January 4, 00:00 = January 3, 24:00 in the 30-hour system.
Where is the System Used?
The 30-hour system is applied in various areas in Japan:
- TransportThe train operators, like JR, use this counting to indicate the schedules of night trains. This allows for better organization without confusing engers about the day of operation.
- EntertainmentBars, clubs, and other establishments that operate during the early morning also use this system to indicate their opening hours until the following morning.
- Television Programs and Anime: Foreigners looking for the airing time of programs on Japanese TV are often shocked to see that an anime will air at 28:00.
- AstronomyThe 30-hour system is also used in astronomical observations, where temporal continuity is crucial to avoid communication errors during long observation sessions.
Final Considerations
Although the 30-hour system is widely used in specific sectors in Japan, it can be confusing for those who are not familiar with this practice. Nevertheless, its adoption simplifies the operation of night services and makes life easier for those who work or commute during the early hours. If you are in Japan, pay attention to the signs and schedules that may present this extended format – a fascinating curiosity of Japanese daily life!
