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How to Call Japan
This guide provides helpful tips for calling Japan from the U.S. Learn how to make calls to Japan with confidence.
The Japan country code is +81. Use +81 as the international dialing prefix for calls to Japan from any country, then dial the japanese area code without the leading 0 and the local number. The ISO codes are JP and JPN.
JAPAN COUNTRY CODE
+81
Dial before any japanese number from outside Japan
What is the country code for Japan?
| Quick reference | Detail | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Country Code | +81 | Dial before a japanese number |
| ISO Code | JP / JPN | Country identifiers |
| International Prefix | +81 | Use for calls into Japan |
| Trunk Prefix | 0 | Use only for domestic dialing |
| Number Length | 9-10 digits after +81 | Area or mobile code plus subscriber number |
| Emergency | 110 | Police, fire, and ambulance |
Good to know: Japan uses 1-5 digit area codes. Mobile numbers start with 70, 80, or 90.
For japanese numbers, the 0 at the start of a domestic area code is the trunk prefix. Keep it for calls inside Japan. Remove it when calling from another country.
How to call Japan
Use this universal format: exit code, then +81, then area code with the trunk 0 removed, then local number.
- Dial your exit code, or press + on a mobile phone.
- Dial 81 for Japan.
- Dial the area code without the leading 0.
- Dial the local subscriber number.
International call flow:
1. Exit code
→
2. +81
→
3. Area code without 0
→
4. Local number
Exit code by country
US and Canada
011
UK and most of Europe
00
Australia
0011
Mobile, any country
+
Japanese numbers use a 0 trunk prefix for domestic calls. Remove it when calling from abroad.
Dialing format and examples
The +CC format works on any mobile phone. Use +81 3 1234 5678 for a Tokyo landline and +81 90 1234 5678 for a mobile number.
| Origin | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US/Canada | 011 81 area code local number | 011 81 3 1234 5678 |
| UK | 00 81 area code local number | 00 81 3 1234 5678 |
| Australia | 0011 81 area code local number | 0011 81 3 1234 5678 |
| Mobile, any country | +81 area code local number | +81 3 1234 5678 |
For other dialing guides, see How to call the Netherlands or How to call Germany.
What a Japan number looks like
A japanese phone number in international format has two parts. The country code +81 and the national number.
Landline
+81 | 3 | 12345678
Mobile
+81 | 90 | 12345678
Number format and length
After +81, japanese numbers contain 9-10 digits after +81. Landlines and mobile numbers follow the national format.
| Number type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo landline | +81 3 XXXX XXXX | +81 3 1234 5678 |
| Osaka landline | +81 3 XXXX XXXX | +81 3 1234 5678 |
| Japanese mobile | +81 90 XXXX XXXX | +81 90 1234 5678 |
Format a Japan number for WhatsApp
For WhatsApp, save the Japanese number in international format with +81 and no trunk 0. A Japanese mobile written as 090 1234 5678 becomes +81 90 1234 5678. You can also save it without spaces as +819012345678.
If your team needs a japanese number for customer calls or local presence, see Telnyx Phone Numbers for numbers in 140+ countries with instant activation.
Good to know: WhatsApp needs the full international format. Drop the leading 0 before you add +81.
Japan number formats and emergency numbers
Japanese numbers follow the national format. From another country, place +81 before the national number.
| City or region | Domestic code | International code |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 03 | +81 3 |
| Osaka | 06 | +81 6 |
| Nagoya | 052 | +81 52 |
| Sapporo | 011 | +81 11 |
| Fukuoka | 092 | +81 92 |
| Kyoto | 075 | +81 75 |
| Number type | Dialed in Japan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 110 | Police, fire, ambulance |
| Toll-free | 0800 | Free from japanese lines, not always reachable from abroad |
| Premium rate | 0900 | Can cost more than standard calls |
| Business numbers | 085 | Non-geographic business lines |
Keep in mind: 110 works inside Japan only. If you are outside Japan, call the emergency number for your current location. Some service numbers may not accept calls from outside Japan.
Cost and best time to call Japan
Call cost and timing depend on your carrier, your country, and whether you call a landline, mobile, toll-free, or premium-rate number.
How much does it cost to call Japan
For business calling, Telnyx SIP Trunking gives per-minute pricing for calls to japanese landline and mobile destinations with usage-based pricing and no monthly minimums. Your total cost can change based on call volume, destination type, and fees from your current provider.
| Calling method | Cost pattern | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile carrier | Plan rate or international fee | Personal calls |
| International add-on | Recurring fee plus lower per-minute rates | Repeat callers |
| VoIP or SIP | Per-minute pricing by destination type | Teams and high-volume calling |
Good to know: Ask your provider whether japanese mobile calls are priced differently from landline calls. They often are.
Time zones and best time to call
Japan follows Japan Standard Time, UTC+9, year-round with no daylight saving. For business calls, aim for 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Japanese time.
| Calling from | Offset from NL | Best call window |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | JP offset varies | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. UK time |
| US Eastern | JP offset varies | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET |
| US Pacific | JP offset varies | 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. PT |
Good to know: Time differences can shift for short periods because daylight saving dates do not match in every country.
Is calling Japan free
Calling Japan is not automatically free. It may be free if your mobile or landline plan includes Japan calling, if both parties use an app over data, or if a company gives you a reachable local number.
WhatsApp and similar apps do not charge per minute for app-to-app calls, but your internet or roaming plan may charge for data. Business callers can use SIP Trunking with usage-based pricing for the lowest per-minute rates.
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Serhii Omelchenko
Global AEO/SEO Manager
Serhii is Global AEO/SEO Manager at Telnyx, based in Amsterdam, he is focused on making communications infrastructure findable and credible across both traditional search and AI-driven discovery. He previously led SEO and GEO strategy for some of the world’s most recognized consu
