Japan +81
To call Japan from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 81, then the local number without its leading 0. Written in full: +81 90-1234-5678.
The country calling code for Japan is +81. A number starting +81 or 0081 is a call to or from Japan. From abroad: +81 90-1234-5678.
To call Japan from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 81, then the local number without its leading 0. The +81 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call Japan from abroad
011 81 90-1234-567800 81 90-1234-56780011 81 90-1234-5678+81 90-1234-567890-1234-5678 is a real-format Japan mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
Japan area codes
When calling a landline in Japan, dial the city area code after +81 (without its leading 0):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 3 | +81 3 … |
| Osaka | 6 | +81 6 … |
| Nagoya | 52 | +81 52 … |
| Yokohama | 45 | +81 45 … |
| Sapporo | 11 | +81 11 … |
Number format
03-1234-5678from abroad+81 3-1234-5678090-1234-5678from abroad+81 90-1234-5678Landline numbers in Japan have 9 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 10 digits. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +81.
Calling abroad from Japan
To call another country from Japan, dial the exit code 010 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From Japan to the United States, for example: 010 1 201 555 0123.
A Japan number in international format is written +81 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.
Cheapest ways to call Japan
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call Japan for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +81?
Japan has the country calling code +81.
How do I call Japan from the United States?
Dial 011, then 81, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 90-1234-5678.
What does +81 mean?
It is the international dialing code for Japan. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +81 mobile or landline?
The +81 code identifies the country, not the line type; Japan landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile network codes in Japan
Every mobile network is identified by a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC). They appear on your phone when it roams, in SIM settings and in any network lookup. Japan has 5 network operators with their own infrastructure:
| Network | MCC-MNC | Technologies | Subscribers |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTT DocomoNTT | 440-10 | 4G · 5G | 82.6 MMar 2021 |
| auKDDI | 440-50, 440-51, 440-52, 440-53 … | 4G · 5G | 60.4 MMar 2021 |
| SoftBank Corp.& YmobileSoftBank Group (99.99%) | 440-20, 440-21 | 4G · 5G | 45.6 MMar 2021 |
| IIJmioInternet Initiative Japan | — | — | — |
| Rakuten MobileRakuten | 440-11 | 4G · 5G | 7.00 M |
A struck-through generation has been switched off on that network. MCC-MNC: ITU-T E.212 codes as listed on Wikipedia.
2G and 3G switch-off timeline
- Softbank — 2G (PDC) switched off
- NTT Docomo — 2G (PDC) switched off
- au KDDI — 2G (cdmaOne) switched off
- KDDI — 3G (CDMA2000) switched off
- Softbank — 3G (UMTS) switched off
- NTT docomo — 3G (UMTS) switched off
Keeping a number when changing network
- Mobile number portability
- since 2006-10-24
- Porting time
- 1 day(s)
- Cost to the customer
- JPY 3000
Because numbers can be ported, the prefix of a mobile number only tells you which network first issued it, not the network it uses today.
Received a call from a Japan number? Check it with the phone number lookup: type of line, format and local time.
Source: Wikipedia — lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G and 3G phase-out, mobile number portability (CC BY-SA 4.0). Subscriber counts as published by each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Phone rules in Japan
The rules a caller, a visitor or a new resident runs into in Japan, each with its source.
| ID to buy a SIM | Voice SIM contracts require identity verification under the Mobile Phone Improper Use Prevention Act (amended 1 April 2026: online verification moves to reading the ID's IC chip). Foreign nationals typically use a residence card (zairyu card) with photo; e.g. Rakuten Mobile does not list foreign passports as accepted ID.network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp |
|---|---|
| Monthly contract | Identity verification with a residence card with photo or a special permanent resident certificate (Rakuten Mobile); other requirements such as payment method not verified.network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp |
| Emergency numbers | Police 110; Fire and ambulance 119; Coast guard 118. Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24/7, English/Chinese/Korean): 050-3816-2787.jnto.go.jp |
Checked on 28 September 2026. Rules on SIM registration and calling apps change often: confirm with the regulator or the operator.
Mobile plan prices in Japan
Prepaid, tourist and SIM-only offers of the operators of Japan, as priced on their own websites on 28 September 2026. The price per GB helps compare offers of different sizes.
| Operator · offer | Type | Price | Data | Per GB | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| povo2.0 (Japan SIM)Japan SIM – Data Top-up 10GB (7 days) | Tourist eSIM | ¥1,430 | 10 GB7 days | ¥143 | Offer |
| povo2.0 (Japan SIM)Japan SIM – Data Top-up 20GB (30 days) | Tourist eSIM | ¥2,700 | 20 GB30 days | ¥135 | Offer |
| povo2.0 (Japan SIM)Japan SIM – Unlimited 7 days | Tourist eSIM | ¥3,390 | Unlimited7 days | — | Offer |
| povo2.0データ追加30GB（30日間） / Data top-up 30GB (30 days) | Prepaid | ¥2,780 | 30 GB30 days | ¥92.67 | Offer |
| ahamoahamo 30GB | Monthly, SIM only | ¥2,970/month | 30 GB | ¥99 | Offer |
| Rakuten MobileRakuten SAIKYO Plan (unlimited data tier) | Monthly, SIM only | ¥3,278/month | Unlimited | — | Offer |
Checked on 28 September 2026. “promo” marks a promotional price or bonus data at that date. Prices change often: the operator's page is the reference.