The 81 country code belongs to Japan. Whether you're calling family in Tokyo, conducting business with partners in Osaka, or reaching friends anywhere in this island nation, the +81 prefix connects you to over 125 million people in one of the world's most technologically advanced countries.

Quick Answer: The country code +81 is for Japan. Japanese mobile numbers have 10 digits (without the leading 0) after +81. For example, a mobile number 090-1234-5678 would be dialed internationally as +81 90 1234 5678.

How to Call Japan: Quick Reference

The dialing format for Japan varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table for countries with significant connections to Japan.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +81 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-81-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-81-[number without leading 0]
Australia 0011-81-[number without leading 0]
China 00-81-[number without leading 0]
South Korea 001-81-[number without leading 0]

Important: Japan uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls. When dialing from abroad, you must drop the leading 0 from the number.

Understanding Japanese Phone Numbers

Japanese phone numbers have a specific structure that you need to understand for successful international calls. The key rule is to always drop the leading 0 when calling from outside Japan.

Mobile Numbers

Japanese mobile numbers follow a consistent format:

  • Length: 11 digits domestically (including the 0), or 10 digits internationally after +81.
  • Starting Digits: Mobile numbers start with 070, 080, or 090.
  • Format: 0X0-XXXX-XXXX (domestic) or +81 X0 XXXX XXXX (international).
  • Example: 090-1234-5678 becomes +81 90 1234 5678 internationally.

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

Japanese landlines use area codes of varying lengths:

  • Structure: 0 + area code + local number = 10-11 digits total.
  • Major Cities: Tokyo (03) and Osaka (06) use 2-digit area codes with 8-digit local numbers.
  • Other Areas: Smaller cities use 3-4 digit area codes with correspondingly shorter local numbers.
  • Example: Tokyo number 03-1234-5678 becomes +81 3 1234 5678 internationally.

Japan Area Codes Reference Table

Japan uses geographic area codes for landline numbers. Here are the area codes for major Japanese cities:

City Area Code International Format
Tokyo 3 +81 3 XXXX XXXX
Osaka 6 +81 6 XXXX XXXX
Yokohama 45 +81 45 XXX XXXX
Nagoya 52 +81 52 XXX XXXX
Sapporo 11 +81 11 XXX XXXX
Fukuoka 92 +81 92 XXX XXXX
Kyoto 75 +81 75 XXX XXXX
Kobe 78 +81 78 XXX XXXX
Hiroshima 82 +81 82 XXX XXXX
Sendai 22 +81 22 XXX XXXX

Note: Always remember to drop the leading 0 from the area code when dialing internationally.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell whether a Japanese number is mobile or landline by the prefix:

  • 070, 080, 090: Always a mobile number.
  • 050: IP phone (VoIP) number.
  • 0120: Toll-free number (cannot be dialed internationally).
  • Other 0XX prefixes: Landline numbers with geographic area codes.

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ with your service provider.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of Japanese numbers from various locations:

Example 1: Calling a Tokyo Landline from the US

  • Japanese Number: 03-1234-5678 (Tokyo area code 03)
  • From a US Mobile: +81 3 1234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 81 3 1234 5678

Example 2: Calling a Japanese Mobile from the US

  • Japanese Number: 090-9876-5432
  • From a US Mobile: +81 90 9876 5432
  • From a US Landline: 011 81 90 9876 5432

Example 3: Calling an Osaka Landline from the UK

  • Japanese Number: 06-1234-5678 (Osaka area code 06)
  • From the UK: 00 81 6 1234 5678

Example 4: Calling from Australia

  • Japanese Number: 080-1234-5678 (mobile)
  • From Australia: 0011 81 80 1234 5678

Best Times to Call Japan

Japan operates on Japan Standard Time (JST), which is UTC+9 year-round. Japan does not observe daylight saving time.

Here's how Japan's time relates to other major time zones:

Your Location Time Difference Call Japan 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Japan is 14 hours ahead 7 PM - 3 AM EST (previous day)
US West Coast (PST) Japan is 17 hours ahead 4 PM - 12 AM PST (previous day)
UK (GMT) Japan is 9 hours ahead 12 AM - 8 AM GMT
Australia (AEDT) Japan is 2 hours behind 11 AM - 7 PM AEDT
China (CST) Japan is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 4 PM CST

Tip: For US callers, evening calls work well for reaching Japan in the morning. Japanese business culture values punctuality, so scheduling calls during regular business hours is appreciated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 81 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: The most common mistake. Japanese numbers start with 0 domestically, but you must DROP it when calling internationally. 090-1234-5678 becomes +81 90-1234-5678, not +81 090-1234-5678.
  • Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +81 (Japan) with +82 (South Korea), +86 (China), or +852 (Hong Kong).
  • Calling toll-free numbers: Japanese toll-free numbers (0120, 0800) cannot be dialed from outside Japan.
  • Forgetting the time difference: Japan is 14-17 hours ahead of the US. An afternoon call from America arrives in the early morning in Japan.

Cheapest Ways to Call +81 Numbers

International calls to Japan don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$3 per minute, better options exist:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Japan, often under $0.10/minute. Check our international calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: LINE is the dominant messaging app in Japan. WhatsApp and Messenger are also used for calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Japan in their international calling bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.

Given Japan's importance as a business and travel destination, affordable calling options are widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +81 country code?

The +81 country code is exclusively for Japan. Any call from a number starting with +81 originates from Japan.

How many digits is a Japanese phone number?

Japanese mobile numbers have 10 digits after the +81 country code (without the leading 0). Landline numbers have 9-10 digits depending on the area code length.

What is the area code for Tokyo?

The area code for Tokyo is 3. For international calls, you would dial +81 3 followed by the 8-digit local number.

What is the area code for Osaka?

The area code for Osaka is 6. Internationally, you would dial +81 6 followed by the 8-digit local number.

How do I call Japan from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +81 followed by the Japanese number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 81, then the number without the leading 0.

What time should I call Japan from the US?

Japan is 14 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 17 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Japanese business hours (9 AM - 5 PM JST), call between 7 PM - 3 AM EST the previous day.

Is +81 Japan or South Korea?

+81 is the country code for Japan. The country code for South Korea is +82.

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