How to call Japan from the UK
- From mobile
- +81 x xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- 00 81 x xxxx xxxx
From $0.07/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial Japan from the UK
How to make a call to Japan from the UK: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. Drop the 0 that starts a Japanese area code, because the number needs no 0 after 81.
- 00The UK exit code
- 81Country code of Japan
- 3Tokyo
- xxxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile: +81 x xxxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +81 3 1234 5678
- Mobile
- +81 3 1234 5678
- Landline
- 00 81 3 1234 5678
Main area codes in Japan
The area code comes right after 81, then the local number
- Tokyo00 813then 8 digits
- Yokohama00 8145then 7 digits
- Osaka00 816then 8 digits
- Nagoya00 8152then 7 digits
- Sapporo00 8111then 7 digits
- Fukuoka00 8192then 7 digits
- Kawasaki00 8144then 7 digits
- Kobe00 8178then 7 digits
Before you call Japan
Dial Osaka, Kyoto, or Sapporo
Osaka takes 8 more digits after its code. Kyoto and Sapporo take 7.
- Osaka00 81 6
- Kyoto00 81 75
- Sapporo00 81 11
Remove the 0 before the area code
A Tokyo number saved as 03 fails from the UK. Dial 3 after 81, then 8 more digits for a 9-digit number.
- Fails
- 00 81 0 3 xxxx xxxx
- Works
- 00 81 3 xxxx xxxx
Last call time from London
Japan is awake until 22:00, which is 14:00 in London from March to October and 13:00 from October to March.
Calling Japan from the UK without an international plan
Suparelay calls Japan for $0.07/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in the UK charge up to $6.13/min. O2 includes Japan only in its Big Bundle, while EE and Vodafone need an add-on for Japan.
- O2£15 Big Bundle
- EECalling abroad Add-On
- VodafoneVodafone International
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 87× cheaper | $0.07 landline$0.09 mobile |
 | $6.13$0.066 landline · $0.20 mobile with plan |
 | $5.42$0.066 landline · $0.18 mobile with plan |
 | $3.96 |
Want to call Japan?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call Japan
The time now in Japan, and the best hours to call. The time difference moves when UK clocks change, never when Japan's do.
- Time difference
- March to October: 8 hours ahead of London
- October to March: 9 hours ahead of London
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
Why a call to Japan fails
O2 blocks international calls on a £0 Spend Cap
A £0 Spend Cap on O2 bars chargeable use outside the monthly and Bolt On allowances. International calls are in that group, so the call fails.
O2, What are spend caps?From any country, a call to Japan also fails when
- The 0 is still in the number
- The exit code is wrong for your country
Questions
Calling Japan cell phones: how to call Japan from the UK cell phone or mobile?
Dial +81, then the number. It works from any mobile in the UK
Are calls to Japan included in the UK phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in the UK that we checked includes Japan in a plan
How much does it cost to call Japan from the UK?
With no plan, carriers in the UK charge up to $6.13 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Tokyo from the UK?
For Tokyo, dial 00 81 3, then the 8-digit local number
Do I need to dial 00 to call Japan?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 81. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +81 number?
Press and hold 0 until + appears, then dial 81 and the number
Can I call Japan on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 81 and the number. Your plan must allow calls to Japan
Why isn't my call going through to Japan?
The usual causes: the 0 is still in the number and the exit code is wrong for your country. Each one is listed above, with a link to its fix
How to make a free call to Japan from the UK?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How to call Japan from the UK on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in Japan without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call Japan landline from the UK?
From a landline in the UK, dial 00 81, then the number
How do I call Japan from the UK, or make an international call to Japan?
Dial 00 81, then the number. From a mobile, +81 works too
When is the best time to call Japan?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in Japan. March to October: 8 hours ahead of London. October to March: 9 hours ahead of London
Does EE include calls to Japan?
With the Calling Abroad from the UK add-on. Without it, EE charges $6.13 a minute to a landline and $6.13 to a mobile
Does O2 include calls to Japan?
With the £15 Big Bundle. Without it, O2 charges $5.42 a minute to a landline and $5.42 to a mobile
Does Vodafone include calls to Japan?
Yes, up to 500 minutes. Vodafone includes 500 minutes to Japan with International Saver 500