+81 Country Code: Japan Dialing Guide
Japan's country code is +81. To call Japan from the US, dial 011-81, then the area code (without the leading 0), then the local number. A Tokyo call looks like this: 011-81-3-1234-5678.
That's the quick version. Below you'll find area codes for major Japanese cities, mobile prefixes, time zone info, and how to call the US from Japan if you're there now.
How to Dial Japan from the US
Dial 011 (the US exit code), then 81 (Japan's country code), then the area code minus the leading zero, then the local number.
Step by step:
- Dial 011 (or just + on a cell phone)
- Dial 81 (Japan country code)
- Dial the area code without the 0 (Tokyo 03 becomes 3)
- Dial the local number
Examples:
- Tokyo landline 03-1234-5678 → Dial 011-81-3-1234-5678
- Japanese mobile 080-1234-5678 → Dial 011-81-80-1234-5678
The leading 0 in Japanese numbers is a domestic trunk prefix. Drop it when calling from abroad.
Japan Area Codes
Tokyo's area code is 03 (dial as 3 internationally). Osaka is 06. Kyoto is 075. Larger cities have shorter codes.
| City | Area Code | Dial from US |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 03 | 011-81-3 |
| Osaka | 06 | 011-81-6 |
| Kyoto | 075 | 011-81-75 |
| Nagoya | 052 | 011-81-52 |
| Yokohama | 045 | 011-81-45 |
| Sapporo | 011 | 011-81-11 |
| Fukuoka | 092 | 011-81-92 |
| Kobe | 078 | 011-81-78 |
Don't confuse Sapporo's area code (011) with the US exit code (also 011). Context matters.
Japan Mobile Number Prefixes
Japanese mobile numbers start with 070, 080, or 090. All are 11 digits total.
| Prefix | Format | Dial from US |
|---|---|---|
| 090 | 090-XXXX-XXXX | 011-81-90-XXXX-XXXX |
| 080 | 080-XXXX-XXXX | 011-81-80-XXXX-XXXX |
| 070 | 070-XXXX-XXXX | 011-81-70-XXXX-XXXX |
090 was the original mobile prefix from 1999. Some consider it prestigious. 080 came in 2002, and 070 in 2013. All three work the same way internationally— just drop the leading 0.
Japan Time Zone
Japan is 13-17 hours ahead of the US, depending on your time zone and daylight saving.
| US Time Zone | Japan Is Ahead By |
|---|---|
| Eastern (winter) | 14 hours |
| Eastern (summer) | 13 hours |
| Pacific (winter) | 17 hours |
| Pacific (summer) | 16 hours |
Japan doesn't observe daylight saving. It's UTC+9 year-round. So the difference changes when the US springs forward or falls back, not Japan.
Practical tip: If you're calling a Japanese business during their work hours (9 AM - 6 PM JST), that's roughly 7 PM - 4 AM Eastern the previous night. Late evening US calls reach Japan in the morning.
Calling the US from Japan
To call the US from Japan, dial 010-1, then the US number. Or skip the carrier rates entirely.
Format: 010-1-(area code)-(number)
Example: To call (212) 555-1234, dial 010-1-212-555-1234
Japanese carriers charge anywhere from $0.05 to $1.50 per minute for calls to the US. If you're an American in Japan and need to call a US bank, the IRS, or any landline back home, that adds up.
World Dialer works from Japan. Open it in your browser, enter the US number, and pay $0.02/minute. No app to download. No subscription. No Japanese carrier fees.
Call US Numbers from Japan
You have the numbers. Here's the easiest way to dial them.
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