Japan Calling Code: +81

Complete guide to calling Japan — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.

How to Call Japan from Abroad

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.

International calling codes follow the ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164, which define how phone numbers are written and dialed across borders. The prefix you dial after the exit code tells the global telephone network which national network to route the call to.

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:

Numbering plans vary: closed plans use fixed-length national numbers, while open plans allow variable lengths with a trunk prefix (usually 0) that is dropped for international calls. For calls to Japan, replace the trunk zero 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.

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:

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. Use this reference when dialing Japan (+81) from abroad:

Calling From	Exit Code	Full International Dialing
United States	011	011 81 [local number]
United Kingdom	00	00 81 [local number]
Australia	0011	0011 81 [local number]
China	00	00 81 [local number]
Japan	010	010 81 [local number]
India	00	00 81 [local number]
Germany	00	00 81 [local number]
France	00	00 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.

Japan Mobile Phone Prefixes

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.

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.