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How to Call Japan from the United States

Country code +81 — Dial 011-81 from a US landline or +81 from a mobile phone.

+81
Japan Country Code

Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions

1

Dial 011

This is the US international access code. It tells your carrier you are making an international call.

2

Dial +81

This is Japan's country code. Every call to Japan requires this code.

3

Dial the Area Code

Dial the city or area code for the region in Japan you are calling (if applicable).

4

Dial the Local Number

Dial the remaining local phone number of the person or business you are trying to reach.

Visual Dialing Example

Here is how a complete call to Japan looks from a US landline:

011-81-XX-XXXX XXXX
011
Exit Code
81
Country Code
XX
Area Code
XXXX XXXX
Local Number

Calling from a Mobile Phone

When calling Japan from a US cell phone, you can replace 011 with the + symbol. This is simpler and works worldwide.

+81-XX-XXXX XXXX

Tip: On most smartphones, press and hold the 0 key to type the + symbol.

Calling Tips for Japan

Best Time to Call

Late evening US time (8 PM - 11 PM EST) is best to catch people during their business hours.

Japan is UTC+9, which is +14 hours from US Eastern Time (EST).

Cost Saving Tips

  • Use VoIP services like Skype, Google Voice, or Vonage for rates as low as $0.01/min.
  • WiFi calling apps (WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime) are free when both parties have the app.
  • Check your carrier's international plan — many offer add-on packages.
  • Avoid calling from hotel phones; they charge premium rates.

Time Difference

United States (EST)
--:--
UTC-5
+14h
Japan
--:--
UTC+9

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the country code for Japan?
The country code for Japan is +81. You need to dial this code after the international access code (011 from a US landline or + from a mobile phone).
How do I call Japan from my US cell phone?
From a US cell phone, dial + then 81 (the country code for Japan), then the area code and local phone number. You can hold the 0 key to type the + symbol.
What time should I call Japan from the US?
Japan is +14 hours from US Eastern Time (EST). Late evening US time (8 PM - 11 PM EST) is best to catch people during their business hours.
How much does it cost to call Japan from the US?
Costs vary by carrier. Traditional carriers charge $1-$5/min. VoIP services like Skype or Google Voice offer rates from $0.01-$0.10/min. WiFi calling apps like WhatsApp and Viber are free when both parties have the app.
Do I need to dial 011 before calling Japan?
From a US landline, yes - dial 011 + 81 + local number. From a US mobile phone, you can dial + instead of 011, which is easier.
Japan Quick Info
Country Code +81
ISO Code JP
Capital Tokyo
Time Zone UTC+9
Exit Code (US) 011
Full Country Profile
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