How to call Japan from the US
- From mobile
- +81 x xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- 011 81 x xxxx xxxx
From $0.07/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial Japan from the US
How to make a call to Japan from the US: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. Tokyo and Osaka make a 9-digit number: a 1-digit area code, then 8 digits. The other cities in the table take 7 after the code.
- 011The US 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
- 011 81 3 1234 5678
Main area codes in Japan
The area code comes right after 81, then the local number
- Tokyo011 813then 8 digits
- Yokohama011 8145then 7 digits
- Osaka011 816then 8 digits
- Nagoya011 8152then 7 digits
- Sapporo011 8111then 7 digits
- Fukuoka011 8192then 7 digits
- Kawasaki011 8144then 7 digits
- Kobe011 8178then 7 digits
Before you call Japan
Dial Kyoto, Sendai, or Hiroshima
Each of these cities takes 7 more digits after its code.
- Kyoto011 81 75
- Sendai011 81 22
- Hiroshima011 81 82
Remove the 0 after 81
A Japanese number written with a 0 first fails if you keep that 0.
- Fails
- 011 81 0 3 xxxx xxxx
- Works
- 011 81 3 xxxx xxxx
Calling Japan cell phones with +81
A Japan cell phone saved as +81 and the number without its 0 works from a US mobile. Type it in the dialer above to call from your browser.
Calling Japan from the US without an international plan
Suparelay calls Japan for $0.07/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in the US charge up to $4.00/min. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon each need an international add-on to call Japan.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 57× cheaper | $0.07 landline$0.09 mobile |
 | $4.00 + tax |
 | $3.00 + tax |
 | $2.49 + tax |
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 to New York changes only because US clocks change in March and November.
- Time difference
- March to November: 13 hours ahead of New York
- November to March: 14 hours ahead of New York
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
Why a call to Japan fails
AT&T bills Wi-Fi calls abroad at long-distance rates
An AT&T Wi-Fi call to an international number uses international long distance rates. The Wi-Fi connection does not make the call cheaper.
AT&T, Wi-Fi CallingFrom 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
How to call Japan from the US cell phone or mobile?
Dial +81, then the number. It works from any mobile in the US
Are calls to Japan included in the US phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in the US that we checked includes Japan in a plan
How much does it cost to call Japan from the US?
With no plan, carriers in the US charge up to $4.00 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Tokyo from the US?
For Tokyo, dial 011 81 3, then the 8-digit local number
Do I need to dial 011 to call Japan?
From a landline, yes: dial 011, then 81. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +81 number, and how to call Japan number from the US?
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 call Japan from the US for free, and call Japan free?
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 US 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 US?
From a landline in the US, dial 011 81, then the number
When is the best time to call Japan?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in Japan. March to November: 13 hours ahead of New York. November to March: 14 hours ahead of New York
How to call to Japan from the US, and how do I call Japan from the US for an international call?
Dial 011 81, then the number. From a mobile, +81 works too