How To Call Japan From US
Quick Reference Guide
When calling Japan from the United States, you’ll follow this dialing pattern: 011 (US exit code) + 81 (Japan country code) + Area Code (without the first 0) + Local Number
Example for Tokyo landline: 011-81-3-XXXX-XXXX (where 3 is Tokyo’s area code)
Example for Japanese mobile phone: 011-81-90-XXXX-XXXX (where 90 is a mobile prefix)
Time Zone Differences
Japan operates on Japan Standard Time (JST), which is UTC+9. The entire country uses a single time zone, unlike the United States which has multiple time zones. Here’s how Japanese time compares to major US time zones:
- Eastern Time (ET): Japan is 13 hours ahead (14 hours during US DST)
- Central Time (CT): Japan is 14 hours ahead (15 hours during US DST)
- Mountain Time (MT): Japan is 15 hours ahead (16 hours during US DST)
- Pacific Time (PT): Japan is 16 hours ahead (17 hours during US DST)
- Alaska Time (AKT): Japan is 17 hours ahead (18 hours during US DST)
- Hawaii Time (HT): Japan is 19 hours ahead (19 hours year-round)
For example, when it’s 9:00 AM in New York, it’s already 10:00 PM in Tokyo.
Understanding Japanese Phone Numbers
Japanese phone numbers have a distinct structure that differs from American numbers. A typical Japanese landline consists of an area code (1-5 digits) followed by a local number (4-8 digits), with the total always equaling 10 digits (including the leading zero used domestically).
In Japan, all phone numbers begin with a zero when dialed domestically, but this leading zero is dropped when calling from outside Japan. This is why the dialing pattern changes from what a person in Japan would dial.
Complete Dialing Instructions
For Landlines:
- Dial 011 – the US exit code that connects you to the international network
- Dial 81 – Japan’s country code
- Dial the area code without the leading zero
- Dial the local phone number
For example, if the Japanese phone number is 03-1234-5678:
- The 03 is Tokyo’s area code (with the leading zero)
- When calling from the US, you would dial: 011-81-3-1234-5678
For Mobile Phones:
Japanese mobile numbers follow a different pattern. They start with specific prefixes like 070, 080, or 090.
- Dial 011 – US exit code
- Dial 81 – Japan’s country code
- Dial the mobile prefix without the leading zero
- Dial the remaining digits
For example, if the Japanese mobile number is 090-1234-5678:
- When calling from the US, you would dial: 011-81-90-1234-5678
Comprehensive Japanese Area Codes By Region
Hokkaido Region:
- Sapporo: 11
- Asahikawa: 166
- Hakodate: 138
- Kushiro: 154
- Obihiro: 155
- Kitami: 157
- Muroran: 143
- Tomakomai: 144
Tohoku Region:
- Sendai: 22
- Aomori: 17
- Morioka (Iwate): 19
- Akita: 18
- Yamagata: 23
- Fukushima: 24
- Koriyama: 24
- Aizuwakamatsu: 242
Kanto Region:
- Tokyo: 3
- Yokohama: 45
- Kawasaki: 44
- Saitama: 48
- Chiba: 43
- Utsunomiya (Tochigi): 28
- Maebashi (Gunma): 27
- Mito (Ibaraki): 29
Chubu Region:
- Nagoya: 52
- Toyama: 76
- Kanazawa (Ishikawa): 76
- Fukui: 776
- Kofu (Yamanashi): 55
- Nagano: 26
- Gifu: 58
- Shizuoka: 54
- Hamamatsu: 53
Kansai Region:
- Osaka: 6
- Kyoto: 75
- Kobe: 78
- Nara: 742
- Wakayama: 73
- Otsu (Shiga): 77
- Tsu (Mie): 59
Chugoku Region:
- Hiroshima: 82
- Okayama: 86
- Tottori: 857
- Matsue (Shimane): 852
- Yamaguchi: 83
Shikoku Region:
- Takamatsu (Kagawa): 87
- Matsuyama (Ehime): 89
- Tokushima: 88
- Kochi: 888
Kyushu & Okinawa:
- Fukuoka: 92
- Nagasaki: 95
- Kumamoto: 96
- Oita: 97
- Miyazaki: 985
- Kagoshima: 99
- Naha (Okinawa): 98
Special Numbers and Services
Emergency Numbers:
When in Japan, local emergency numbers are:
- Police: 110
- Fire/Ambulance: 119
These cannot be directly dialed from abroad. If you need emergency assistance for someone in Japan, contact the local Japanese embassy or consulate.
Toll-Free and Special Numbers:
Japanese toll-free numbers typically begin with 0120 or 0800. These cannot typically be dialed from outside Japan. If you need to reach customer service for Japanese companies, look for their international contact options.
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