Dial Japan directly through your phone carrier using country code 81 — convenient, but international rates can add up fast.
Prepaid calling cards let you reach Japan at lower rates, though you'll juggle access numbers and PINs each time.
MeraTalk connects you to Japan over the internet with HD-clear audio, low rates, and no hardware to set up.
Dial 011, then 81, then the number, dropping the leading 0.
On a mobile you can replace the exit code with a + sign and dial +81 directly, which works from any country without knowing the local exit code.
Full dialing sequence
Start by dialing your own country's international access code. From the US or Canada this is 011; from most of Europe it's 00. This tells your network you're making an international call.
Immediately follow with Japan's country code — no spaces or dashes. This routes your call to Japan's telephone network. On smartphones, replace the exit code with a + sign.
Add the city or regional code for your destination in Japan. If the local number starts with a 0 (trunk prefix), drop it — the country code replaces it when dialing internationally.
Enter all remaining digits of the local number exactly as written. For mobile numbers, include every digit — no abbreviations. Press call and your carrier does the rest.
A strong, stable internet connection is the foundation of every clear call — use Wi-Fi or solid data whenever you can.
A quality headset sharpens both ends of the conversation, making your calls to Japan clearer and more comfortable.
Keep the time difference in mind — UTC+9 — so you reach people at a reasonable hour and not in the middle of the night.
The price of calling Japan swings widely depending on whether you use a carrier, a calling card, or VoIP — and VoIP usually wins.
How to get started with MeraTalk
Phone numbers in Japan follow set ranges after the 81 country code, distinguishing mobiles, landlines, and special services.
Japanese mobile numbers (携帯, also called handphone numbers in parts of Asia) begin 070, 080 or 090, followed by eight digits.
From abroad, drop the leading zero: a mobile written 090 1234 5678 is dialled +81 90 1234 5678.
A call from +81 is from Japan. The digits after the country code tell you what kind of number it is:
Japanese area codes by city, with the full number as you dial it from abroad.
The leading 0 is a domestic trunk prefix and is dropped when dialling from abroad — a Tokyo number written 03 XXXX XXXX is dialled +81 3 XXXX XXXX.
Find international dialing codes for every country. Click any country to get the full calling guide & tips.
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