Japan Calling Code: +81
Complete guide to calling Japan — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Japan from Abroad
📞 Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +81 — the country calling code for Japan
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Japan Calling Code
To reach Japan from another country, first dial the international calling code +81 — assigned by the ITU — followed by the local number. Japan is located in Asia, in Eastern Asia.
Japan is known locally as 日本 — Tokyo is the capital. When saving an international contact, write the number in full international format with +81 so it works from any country.
The +81 prefix comes from ITU-T E.164, the numbering standard that keeps Japan's phone network addressable from anywhere in the world. Because Japan sits in Eastern Asia, its code is grouped with the surrounding countries rather than shared randomly.
Where the +81 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +81 is assigned to Japan, located in Eastern Asia, with the capital Tokyo. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Japan from outside the country.
When a number is written as +81 …, the +81 prefix directs your call to the Japan national network. After the prefix, dial the area code without its leading zero, then the subscriber number — the same pattern for landlines and mobiles.
ITU-T E.164 groups calling codes by world region; codes beginning with 8 cover the part of the world that includes Japan, in Eastern Asia. Storing numbers with +81 and omitting the domestic leading zero keeps contacts dialable from anywhere.
Japan Phone Number Formats
The ITU E.164 format for Japan numbers is +81 + area code + subscriber number, used for landlines and mobiles alike. Here is the general structure:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +81 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +81 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Japan: dial the local number directly
Numbering plans come in two shapes: open plans allow variable-length numbers with a trunk prefix, closed plans fix the length everywhere. Japan follows the published pattern +81 (XX) XXXXXXXX. Either way the rule for calling in from abroad is identical: replace the trunk prefix with +81.
Time Zone in Japan
The local time in Japan follows the Asia/Tokyo time zone (UTC+09:00 UTC). Check the time difference before you dial so your call arrives during waking hours.
Time differences matter when calling Japan: if it is UTC+09:00 there, a morning call from Europe may reach Tokyo in the afternoon, while callers in the Americas should check the offset to avoid late-night calls.
If Japan observes daylight saving time, its UTC offset shifts by an hour twice a year. Double-check the current offset before time-sensitive calls, especially in spring and autumn.
Best Time to Call Japan
Business hours in Japan run roughly 09:00–18:00 local time. Because Japan sits at UTC+09:00, the window in which it is polite to call lands at a different hour for every caller. The table below converts Japan's working day into your own clock — and shows the hours to avoid so you do not wake anyone up.
| If you are in | Call Japan between | Avoid calling between |
|---|---|---|
| London | 00:00–09:00 | 14:00–22:00 |
| New York | 19:00–04:00 | 09:00–17:00 |
| Los Angeles | 16:00–01:00 | 06:00–14:00 |
| Sao Paulo | 21:00–06:00 | 11:00–19:00 |
| Dubai | 04:00–13:00 | 18:00–02:00 |
| Mumbai | 05:30–14:30 | 19:30–03:30 |
| Singapore | 08:00–17:00 | 22:00–06:00 |
| Sydney | 10:00–19:00 | 00:00–08:00 |
Times shown are standard time and ignore daylight saving, which shifts the clock by one hour in countries that observe it — around the clock change, add or subtract an hour from every figure above.
Emergency Numbers in Japan
If you need urgent help while in Japan, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Japan.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Fire | 119 |
| Ambulance | 119 |
Example: Calling Japan Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Japan works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Japan country code +81
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +81 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Japan country code +81
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +81 [area code] [number], or +81 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
If the local number begins with a trunk prefix (commonly 0), remove it when dialing internationally — +81 takes its place. The remaining digits are dialed exactly as written.
Calling Japan from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. These are the ones most often used to reach Japan (+81):
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 81 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 81 [local number] |
| United Arab Emirates | 00 | 00 81 [local number] |
| Saudi Arabia | 00 | 00 81 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 81 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 81 [local number] |
| Singapore | 001 | 001 81 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +81 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Japan?
The international calling code for Japan is +81.
How do I call Japan from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +81, then the local phone number.
How do I call Japan from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +81, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +81 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Japan?
If you're already in Japan, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +81 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Japan?
The capital of Japan is Tokyo. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +81 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Japan?
Police: 110, Fire: 119, Ambulance: 119. These numbers are only valid inside Japan.
Is Japan a country?
Yes — Japan is a sovereign state, whose capital is Tokyo, and +81 is its international calling code.
Japan Mobile Phone Prefixes & Domestic Dialing
Mobile phone numbers in Japan typically use the following prefixes:
- 070
- 080
- 090 (11-digit mobile numbers)
Japan City / Area Codes
Major cities in Japan and their local area codes (dial these after the country code +81 when calling from abroad):
| City | Area Code(s) |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 03 |
| Osaka | 06 |
| Nagoya | 052 |
| Yokohama | 045 |
| Kyoto | 075 |
| Sapporo | 011 |
| Fukuoka | 092 |
| Kobe | 078 |
| Sendai | 022 |
| Hiroshima | 082 |
Note: Drop any leading "0" when dialing from abroad. Example: Tokyo 03 becomes +81 3 + local number.
From the United States, a call to Tokyo is dialed as 011 +81 3 [local number].
Other Countries in Asia
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Japan from Kazakhstan or Malaysia works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +81, then the local number. Within Asia, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.