The Complete Guide to Sunrise and Sunset Around the World

1. Why Sunrise and Sunset Times Vary by Location

1-1. Day and Night Created by Earth's Rotation

The cycle of "morning comes, then night falls" that we experience daily is created by the Earth rotating once approximately every 24 hours.

If you look at the Earth from the side, half is always illuminated by the sun (day), and the other half is in shadow (night). As the Earth spins, when your location turns toward the sun, it becomes morning; when it turns away, it becomes night. "Sunrise" is the moment the sun peeks over the horizon, and "sunset" is the moment it sinks below it.

This might be common knowledge. But why do sunrise times differ so much depending on the location?

1-2. The Dramatic Impact of Latitude

"Latitude" has the most significant impact on sunrise and sunset times.

Near the equator, the sun rises and sets almost perpendicularly to the horizon. Therefore, the time from sunrise to sunset remains stable at about 12 hours throughout the year. A friend living in Singapore (1° North) often says, "There is no sense of seasons here," which is true because the sun's movement barely changes.

On the other hand, in high-latitude regions, the sun moves diagonally. In Stockholm, Sweden (59° North), daylight lasts over 18 hours on the summer solstice, shrinking to just about 6 hours on the winter solstice. Within the same year, daylight hours fluctuate by a factor of three.

1-3. Axial Tilt and the Seasons

"But why do daylight hours change between summer and winter?"

The answer lies in the Earth's axis, which is tilted about 23.4 degrees relative to its orbital plane. This tilt is known as the "obliquity of the ecliptic," and according to NASA, it is precisely 23.44 degrees (Source: NASA Earth Fact Sheet).

Around June (Summer Solstice), when the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun, daylight hours are longest there. Conversely, around December (Winter Solstice), the Northern Hemisphere tilts away, resulting in the shortest daylight hours. In the Southern Hemisphere, this is reversed: December is summer, and June is winter.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the sight of people having a Christmas beach barbecue in Australia might seem surreal, but once you understand the sun's movement, it makes perfect sense.

2. Where Does the Sun Rise Earliest and Set Latest?

2-1. The First Place to Welcome the Morning

Where in the world does the new day begin first? The answer is an intriguing mix of geography and politics.

The Line Islands of the Republic of Kiribati use the UTC+14 time zone, the furthest east in the world, making them known as the first place to see the date change. In 1995, the Kiribati government adjusted the time zone for the Line Islands to eliminate the inconvenience of the country straddling the International Date Line (where it would be two different dates within the same country).

Travelers who have visited say the sense of achievement in "seeing the world's first sunrise" is exceptional. However, access to the Line Islands is limited and not easy.

More realistic options include Tonga (UTC+13) and New Zealand's Chatham Islands (UTC+12:45). New Zealand, in particular, has well-developed tourism infrastructure, and "First Sunrise of the World" tours are popular.

2-2. The Place Where "Yesterday" Lasts the Longest

Conversely, the places where the day ends last on Earth are American Samoa and Baker Island. Both use UTC-12.

Interestingly, the Line Islands (Kiribati) and American Samoa are geographically only a few hundred kilometers apart. Yet, across the International Date Line, there is a staggering 26-hour time difference.

This means when it is 10:00 AM on Monday morning in Kiribati, it is still 8:00 AM on Sunday morning in nearby American Samoa. This fact illustrates that time zones are decided by political and economic reasons, not just pure geography.

2-3. The Mystery of China: One Country, One Time

In countries with vast landmasses, sunrise times can vary greatly even within the same nation. The most extreme example is China.

China spans about 5,000 km from east to west but uses only a single time zone, "Beijing Time (UTC+8)," for the entire country. Geographically, this landmass covers what would naturally be five time zones.

As a result, in the eastern province of Heilongjiang, the sun rises as early as 3:00 AM in summer. Meanwhile, in the western region of Xinjiang, it can still be dark outside even past 9:00 AM "Beijing Time." Locals in the west often use an unofficial "Xinjiang Time" (Beijing Time minus 2 hours) for their daily lives.

*Scroll horizontally to view the table

3. The Midnight Sun and Polar Night

3-1. "Midnight Sun": When the Sun Never Sets

If you've traveled to the Arctic Circle, you may have experienced being unable to sleep because it was bright outside at 2:00 AM. This is the Midnight Sun.

The Midnight Sun is a phenomenon where the sun does not set below the horizon even at midnight. It occurs around the summer solstice north of the Arctic Circle (66.5° N) and south of the Antarctic Circle (66.5° S).

Why 66.5 degrees? It relates to the Earth's axial tilt (23.4 degrees). Subtracting 23.4 from 90 degrees gives you 66.6. Essentially, due to the tilt, the boundary where the sun doesn't set for 24 hours on the summer solstice falls around latitude 66.5 degrees.

An acquaintance living in Tromsø, Norway, described the Midnight Sun season as "a sleepless but happy season." Children playing soccer at midnight, families enjoying barbecues at 3:00 AM. People in the Nordics try to enjoy their short summer to the fullest.

※ Dates vary slightly by year.

3-2. "Polar Night": A World Without Sunrise

The opposite of the Midnight Sun is the Polar Night. This is when the sun does not rise above the horizon all day.

Hearing "Polar Night" might make you imagine pitch darkness, but that's not entirely accurate. During the hours when the sun is just below the horizon, the sky is dyed in a mystical faint blue light known as the Blue Hour. Photographers in Norway call this Polar Night Blue Hour "the most beautiful light of the year."

However, the mental impact cannot be ignored. In northern Norway, more people report symptoms of depression during winter, so light therapy (treatment involving exposure to strong artificial light) is commonly practiced.

3-3. The Gift of Polar Night

Yet, the Polar Night brings an irreplaceable gift: the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Since the sun doesn't rise, the sky remains dark for long periods, drastically increasing the chances of observing auroras. In Tromsø, from December to January, you can sometimes see auroras even during the "daytime" hours (though it is dim).

Whether you perceive the Polar Night as a "dark and lonely season" or a "special season to meet the Aurora" depends on your perspective. People living in the Arctic seem to enjoy winter with the latter mindset.

4. Global Comparison of Sunshine Duration

4-1. The Sunniest Places on Earth

Where is the "sunniest place on Earth"?

The answer is Yuma, Arizona, USA. According to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) data, Yuma's annual sunshine duration is approximately 4,015 hours. That averages out to about 11 hours of sun every single day.

The reason Yuma is called the "Sunniest City on Earth" lies in its desert climate. Annual rainfall is only about 80mm (3 inches), and clear skies occur over 90% of the time. Because there are almost no clouds, the sun is out from sunrise to sunset.

Following Yuma are Aswan, Egypt (approx. 3,800 hours) and Alice Springs, Australia (approx. 3,500 hours). All are cities with dry desert climates.

4-2. Places Where the Sun is Precious

On the other hand, which cities have the least sunshine?

London, UK gets about 1,400 hours annually, which is roughly a third of Yuma. It has many cloudy or foggy days, so the stereotype that "British people always talk about the weather" might be true in a sense.

Going further north, Tromsø, Norway has about 1,000 hours annually. However, this is largely due to the Polar Night. In summer, thanks to the Midnight Sun, the sun stays out for 24 hours. While the annual total looks low, the summer sunshine intensity overwhelms other regions.

4-3. Stable Life on the Equator

Cities right on the equator have a unique rhythm.

In Singapore or Quito (Ecuador), sunrise is around 6:00–7:00 AM and sunset around 6:00–7:00 PM throughout the year. It barely changes. There is no concept of "Daylight Saving Time," so there's no need to change clocks twice a year.

A friend who moved to Singapore said, "At first, I missed the sense of seasons, but once I got used to it, it was easy. I can live with the exact same rhythm every day." The lack of fluctuation in daylight hours seems to contribute to a stable lifestyle.

5. 5 Breathtaking Sunrise & Sunset Spots

5-1. Uluru (Australia)

A massive monolith rising from the red earth in the center of the Australian continent. It has been a sacred site for the Anangu people for tens of thousands of years, and climbing has been prohibited since 2019.

The way the rock's surface changes color with the sunrise is beyond words. From jet black to purple, then orange, and finally deep crimson. The color shift makes the rock look like it's breathing, fitting its nickname "The Heart of the World."

Best Season for Photography: April–September (Dry season). Fewer mosquitoes and cooler temperatures at sunrise.
Recommended Spot: Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area

▶ Check Sunrise/Sunset in Australia: worldsunmoon.com/en-au/sun/

5-2. Grand Canyon (USA)

A colossal canyon 1,600m (approx. 1 mile) deep, revealing 1.7 billion years of geological layers. At sunrise, light penetrates to the canyon floor, creating a gradient of red, orange, and purple.

Many who visit the Grand Canyon agree: "Photos don't do it justice." Standing on the edge of the rim, looking down into the vast canyon stretching below your feet while waiting for the sun, is an experience you will never forget.

Best Season for Photography: Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November). Summer is crowded, and winter may have snow.
Recommended Spot: Mather Point, Yavapai Point (South Rim)

▶ Check Sunrise/Sunset in the USA: worldsunmoon.com/en-us/sun/

5-3. Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, incorporates amazing astronomical design. On the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun rises directly behind the central tower.

Modern astronomers marvel at how the 9th-century Khmer people achieved such precise design. The combination of the "upside-down Angkor Wat" reflected in the lotus pond and the morning glow attracts travelers from all over the world.

Best Season for Photography: November–February (Dry season). Special sunrises occur on Equinoxes.
Note: People start gathering around 5:00 AM. Positions in front of the lotus pond are highly competitive.

5-4. Santorini (Greece)

A crescent-shaped volcanic island in the Aegean Sea. The sight of white-walled houses on cliffs dyed by the setting sun is known as the "world's most beautiful sunset."

Santorini is more famous for sunset than sunrise. Every evening at the Oia Castle ruins, tourists gather from around the world to watch the sun dip into the Aegean. The moment the sun touches the horizon, applause often breaks out naturally. That sense of unity is an experience unique to Santorini.

Best Season for Photography: April–October. September–October is less crowded with stable weather.
Recommended Spot: Oia Castle ruins, cafes along the cliffs in Fira

5-5. Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)

The world's largest salt flat, located at an altitude of about 3,700m (12,000 ft). During the rainy season (December–March), a thin layer of water covers the surface, creating a "Mirror of the Sky" that reflects the heavens perfectly.

Sunrise and sunset at Uyuni are unlike anywhere else. The boundary between sky and ground disappears, giving you the illusion of floating in mid-air. It is a 360-degree world of sky. Those who have experienced it say its unreal beauty is indescribable.

Best Season for Photography: February–March (Peak mirror reflection). Depends on weather as rain is needed.
Note: High altitude means risk of altitude sickness. Tours are essential.

▶ Check Sunrise/Sunset in Spanish-speaking regions: worldsunmoon.com/es/sun/

6. How to Avoid Timing Mistakes for Travel & Photography

6-1. Common Mistake: "Checking in Your Home Time Zone"

Have you ever made this mistake when trying to shoot a sunrise abroad?

You searched "Hawaii sunrise 6:30" and woke up early, but the sun didn't rise even after 7:00. You panicked and checked again, only to realize the result you saw was displayed in "your home country's time zone."

The time difference between Hawaii and New York is 5–6 hours (depending on DST). The time difference with Tokyo is 19 hours. It’s completely off.

This sounds like a joke, but it happens often. especially when searching on Google, it isn't always clear which time zone the displayed time refers to.

6-2. Choosing Reliable Sources

When checking sunrise/sunset times, pay attention to the following:

Checkpoints:

• Is the time displayed in "Local Time," "UTC," or "Your Browser's Time"?
• Is Daylight Saving Time (DST) accounted for?
• Calculation reference (City center? Airport?)

Reliable Sources:

• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Solar Calculator
• timeanddate.com
• Official sites of national observatories or meteorological agencies

On our site, World Sun Moon, we display sunrise and sunset times in Local Time based on astronomical calculations (compliant with JPL ephemeris data). Calculation accuracy is within ±30 seconds. You can also check Civil, Nautical, and Astronomical twilight times, making it perfect for planning photography.