The international dialling code for Japan is +81. When you dial from the UK, the US, Australia or any other country, you replace the leading 0 of the Japanese number with +81 (or your international access code followed by 81). This guide covers every case: calling Japan from abroad, area codes by city, mobile prefixes and the essential emergency numbers.
International dialling code for Japan
International dialling code for Japan (country code)
How to call Japan from abroad (and vice versa)
E.g.: Japanese number 03-1234-5678
From the UK: 00-81-3-1234-5678
Or with +: +81 3 1234 5678
E.g.: UK number 020 1234 5678
You dial: 010-44-20-1234-5678
Or with +: +44 20 1234 5678
How to call Japan from the UK, US, Australia and more
The formula is the same in every country: your country's international access code + 81 + the Japanese number without the leading 0. The access code varies by carrier and country.
Or with + format: +81 X XXXX XXXX
Or with + format: +81 X XXXX XXXX
Or with + format: +81 X XXXX XXXX
Or with + format: +81 X XXXX XXXX
Or with + format: +81 X XXXX XXXX
Or with + format: +81 X XXXX XXXX
Area codes by city in Japan
Each region of Japan has its own area code. When calling from abroad, the format is +81 + area code without the 0 + subscriber number. For example, to call a Tokyo number (03) from abroad: +81 3 XXXX XXXX. If you are still deciding which cities to visit, the guide to the best cities in Japan is a good starting point.
| City / Region | Local code | From abroad (+81) |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 03 | +81 3 |
| Osaka | 06 | +81 6 |
| Kyoto | 075 | +81 75 |
| Nagoya | 052 | +81 52 |
| Sapporo | 011 | +81 11 |
| Fukuoka | 092 | +81 92 |
| Hiroshima | 082 | +81 82 |
| Kobe | 078 | +81 78 |
| Yokohama | 045 | +81 45 |
| Nara | 0742 | +81 742 |
| Kanazawa | 076 | +81 76 |
| Hakone | 0460 | +81 460 |
Mobile phone prefixes in Japan
Japanese mobile phones always start with 070, 080 or 090. When calling from abroad, the leading 0 is removed just as with landlines.
| Japanese mobile prefix | From abroad | Full example |
|---|---|---|
| 090-XXXX-XXXX | +81 90-XXXX-XXXX | +81 90 1234 5678 |
| 080-XXXX-XXXX | +81 80-XXXX-XXXX | +81 80 1234 5678 |
| 070-XXXX-XXXX | +81 70-XXXX-XXXX | +81 70 1234 5678 |
There are also other special prefixes worth knowing:
| Prefix | Type |
|---|---|
| 0120-XXX-XXX | Toll-free (freephone) — not accessible from abroad |
| 0570-XXX-XXX | Special rate (domestic), accessible from Japan only |
| 050-XXXX-XXXX | VoIP number (internet) — accessible with +81 50 |
Emergency numbers in Japan
Save them before you leave. They work from any mobile, even without a SIM or card. If this is your first trip, it is worth reviewing them alongside the rest of your preparations in the complete first-time-in-Japan guide.
For tourists there is also an essential helpline, the Japan Visitor Hotline from the National Tourism Organization (JNTO):
| Service | Number | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO) | 050-3816-2787 | 24 h, year-round, in English, Chinese and Korean (accidents, emergencies, tourist information) |
| General police consultation (non-urgent) | #9110 | For questions and reports that are not emergencies; interpretation available |
| Police in English (Tokyo) | 03-3503-8484 | Consult the Metropolitan Police in English, during office hours |
Reference data for Japan
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| International dialling code | +81 |
| ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code | JP |
| ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code | JPN |
| Internet domain | .jp |
| International dialling-out prefix from Japan | 010 |
| UK dialling code | +44 |
| Time zone | JST (UTC+9, no daylight saving) |
| Police emergency number | 110 |
| Medical and fire emergency number | 119 |
Options for using your phone in Japan
There are three main alternatives for having data and calls during your trip to Japan:
- Roaming with your home carrier — Japan is outside most regional roaming zones. Check the international roaming rates with your carrier (they are usually expensive: 5–15 €/day).
- Japanese tourist SIM — the cheapest option for data. Bought on arrival at Narita or Haneda airport (IIJmio, NTT Docomo, SoftBank Tourist SIM). Data only, no outgoing calls, from 1,500–3,000 ¥ for 15–30 days.
- International eSIM — if your phone supports eSIM, you can buy a data plan for Japan before leaving home and activate it on landing. Holafly, Airalo and other platforms offer eSIMs for Japan from 10–25 € for 1–2 weeks of data. We explain it in depth in the guide to eSIM for Japan.
What if I need to call a Japanese number during the trip?
Most travellers arrive in Japan with a data-only eSIM or tourist SIM, which does not allow conventional voice calls to Japanese numbers (those starting with 03, 06, 090, etc.). This is rarely a problem, because almost everything in Japan can be sorted without calling. But if at some point you need to contact a local number, these are your options:
- Internet calls (VoIP) — with data you can call a Japanese landline or mobile using Skype, Google Voice or other IP-calling apps that let you dial real numbers (paid, but cheap). It is the most practical way if you have to confirm a reservation by phone.
- Have your hotel reception call — the concierge can call a restaurant, a taxi or a local service for you, and often handle it in Japanese. It is the most convenient when there is a language barrier.
- LINE, the dominant messaging app in Japan — many businesses and small accommodations prefer LINE to the phone. If they ask for a contact, it is usually via LINE; install it before travelling. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases helps even when chatting by text.
- Booking without calling — most restaurants accept reservations online, through Google or platforms such as Tabelog, without needing to make any call. Hotels are booked online.