How to Call Japan from the US

Co-authored by Kyle Hall

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

Dialing the Number

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Saving on Call Costs

To call Japan from the US, first enter the US exit code (011) followed by Japan’s country code (81). Then, just enter the 9- or 10-digit number you’re trying to reach. Keep in mind that calls to Japan can be expensive depending on your service provider. Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can save on international calling costs or even place your call for free, like using a calling card or downloading a calling app.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Dialing the Number

1
Dial 011 for the US exit code. The exit code will let your service provider know that you’re calling a number outside of the United States.^{[1]
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- Placing international calls can be expensive. Check with your service provider to find out what their international calling rates are before you place your call.
- Check what time it is in Japan before you place your call. Japan is 13-16 hours ahead of the US, depending on where you live. If you place a call to Japan at noon in the US, it will be 1-4 AM there.
2
Dial 81 for Japan’s country code. The country code will tell your service provider what country you’re trying to call. It's always 81, regardless of where you're calling in Japan.^{[2]
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3
Enter the area code if you’re calling a landline in Japan. Only landlines have an area code in Japan. The area code will be 1-3 numbers. Each city in Japan has its own area code, so you’ll need to know where the landline is located to place the call. For example, to call a landline in Tokyo, the area code is 3.^{[3]
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- For a list of Japanese area codes, visit http://dialcode.org/Asia/Japan/.
Tip: If the area code you’ve been given starts with a 0, don’t enter the 0. The 0 is only necessary when placing calls within Japan. If you don’t drop it from the area code, your call won’t go through.
4
Enter 70, 80, or 90 if you’re calling a Japanese cell phone. Japanese cell phone numbers don’t have an area code. Instead, they start with either 70, 80, or 90. The right prefix should be included in the phone number you were given. If it’s not, contact the person you're trying to call via email or social media to find out what the right number is.^{[4]
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- If the beginning of the 2-digit prefix you’ve been given starts with a 0, don’t enter it when you dial the number. The 0 is only for placing calls within Japan. If you leave the 0 in, your call won’t go through.
5
Dial the rest of the phone number you’re trying to reach. If you’re calling a landline, the number (including the area code) will be 9 digits long. If you’re calling a cell phone, the number (including the 2-digit prefix) will be 10 digits long.
- For example, if you’re dialing a Japanese landline, the full number, including the exit and country codes, will look something like 011-81-3-1234-5678.
- A Japanese cell phone number, including the exit and country codes, will look something like 011-81-70-1234-5678.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Saving on Call Costs

1
Use an international calling card to call Japan for less. Calling cards, also called prepaid phone cards, are cards you can add minutes to for a flat fee. You can use those minutes to call international phone numbers at a cheaper rate. You can find calling cards online or in-store at many large retailers.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Federal Communications Commission
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
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- Always check the fine print for any hidden fees or restrictions. Make sure you purchase a calling card that allows international calls to Japan.
2
Download a calling app so you can place calls to Japan for free. Nowadays, there are a variety of free apps you can download on your phone or computer that let you place calls to international numbers. Generally, the person you’re trying to contact also needs to download the same app for your call to be free. However, some apps will let you buy credits to call someone even if they’re not using the same app. The credits might be cheaper than your service provider’s international calling rates.^{[6]
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- WhatsApp, Skype, and Google Voice are a few free calling apps you can try.
3
Sign up for an international calling plan if you make a lot of international calls. Some telephone service providers offer international calling plans that include discounted rates for calling abroad. If you place international calls regularly and you’re unable to use a free calling app, signing up for one of these plans could save you money.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Federal Communications Commission
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
Go to source}
- If you’re interested in signing up for an international calling plan, reach out to your service provider to see what plans they offer.
- Most international calling plans come with additional fees, so you'll usually only save money if you plan on placing multiple international calls every month.