How to call Japan from the US→
Dial 011, then 81, then the number without its first 0. A mobile written 090 xxxx xxxx becomes 011 81 90 xxxx xxxx. A Tokyo number 03 xxxx xxxx becomes 011 81 3 xxxx xxxx.
- 1
Dial 011
The exit code for calls out of the United States. On a mobile, type + instead: hold the 0 key.
- 2
Dial 81
The country code for Japan.
- 3
Dial the number
Drop the 0 at the start of the number.
Examples: what you see, what you dial
| Number | Written in Japan | Landline in the United States | Any mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 090 xxxx xxxx | 011 81 90 xxxx xxxx | +81 90 xxxx xxxx |
| Tokyo landline | 03 xxxx xxxx | 011 81 3 xxxx xxxx | +81 3 xxxx xxxx |
An x stands for any digit. Numbers shown in full are from ranges reserved for fiction, so they reach no one.
Mobiles start 090, 080 or 070
Japanese mobiles are 11 digits starting 090, 080 or 070. Drop the 0 and you dial +81 90, +81 80 or +81 70 and 8 more digits. Numbers starting 050 are internet phone numbers and work the same way.
13 or 14 hours ahead, no clock changes
Japan is 9 hours ahead of UTC and does not use daylight saving time. Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of New York in summer and 14 in winter. Evening in New York is the next morning in Japan, a polite time to call.
Right now
New York: Wed 7:43 AM
Tokyo: Wed 8:43 PM
Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of New York today. 9:00 AM in New York is 10:00 PM in Tokyo.
What it costs
Your phone plan decides the price of a direct call, so check it before a long one. Many plans charge international calls per minute. Prepaid calls to Japan with SimVala start at $0.0028/min, to mobiles and landlines, paid in crypto.
See the rates for calls to JapanBuild the exact digits
Paste a number as it was written in Japan. The builder shows what to dial from a mobile and from a landline in the United States.
Dial builder
What exactly should I dial?
From any mobile
+81 …
Type + by holding the 0 key. Works from any country.
From a landline in the United States
011 81 …
011 is the exit code from the United States.
Example numbers are from ranges reserved for fiction. Codes follow the ITU dialling procedures list.
More calling guides
Keep reading
Calling Japan from the US, answered
How do I call a Japanese cell phone from the US?+
011 81, then the number without the 0: 090 xxxx xxxx becomes 011 81 90 xxxx xxxx.
What is Japan's country code?+
81.
Do I drop the 0 in 03 for Tokyo?+
Yes. Tokyo from abroad is +81 3 and the 8-digit number.
What time is it in Japan compared to New York?+
13 hours ahead in the US summer, 14 in winter.
Call Japan for less
Prepaid minutes to mobiles and landlines, from $0.0028/min. Pay in crypto, no card, no email, no ID.