Japan (+81) access code guide.
The +81 prefix connects one of the world's most advanced economies — from Tokyo's corporate towers to Osaka's trading houses. Here's the verified Japan country code, ISO references, live local time, and Ringflow's direct Japanese routes.
Japan at a glance.
The geography, area codes and single JST time zone you need before placing your first call into Japan.
Japan country information
Every route into Japanese lines.
Landline, calling card or business VoIP — the +81 prefix reaches all 47 prefectures. Pick the channel that matches your traffic.
Direct calls using landlines & mobile phones
Dial Japan directly from any landline or mobile by entering your international exit code, then the country code +81, and finally the local number.
International calling cards for Japan
Pre-paid international calling cards remain a convenient, low-cost way to reach Japan. Each card gives you a PIN and an access number to place global calls.
VoIP services for contacting Japan
VoIP apps like Skype, WhatsApp and Viber — and business VoIP from Ringflow — route calls to Japan over the internet, usually at far lower rates than traditional carriers.
What shapes Japanese voice traffic, prefecture to prefecture.
The fundamentals behind calls to and from Japan — the +81 code, Tokyo, the nationwide JST zone and the area-code plan.
How to call Japan.
A Japanese number is built from four parts. Here's the anatomy and dialling order, including the leading-zero rule.
Number anatomy
Start with the exit prefix
Press + on a mobile (hold the 0 key), or dial 00 from most countries, or 011 from North America.
Add the Japan code
Dial +81. This identifies Japan on the global telephone network.
Enter the area or mobile prefix
Type the first part of the local number. Drop the leading 0 if there is one.
Finish with the subscriber number
The remaining digits route the call to the specific line in Tokyo or elsewhere.
Dialling Japan (+81) from other countries
The exit prefix changes by origin; the Japan code stays +81.
| Calling from | Exit prefix | You dial, then the national number |
|---|---|---|
| United States & Canada | 011 | 011 81 |
| United Kingdom & most of Europe | 00 | 00 81 |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 81 |
| Any mobile (E.164) | + | +81 |
Browse the full country code index.
Search by country name, ISO code or dial prefix. Click any country for its dialing rules and Ringflow's local number availability.
FAQ
Calling Japan, answered.
What businesses and travellers ask most before dialling Japan on +81.
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Dialling Japan without misdialling
Japan’s calling code is +81 , which puts it in East Asia and a group of global services. The codes below are the ones a caller actually reaches by mistake, so they are worth checking before a number goes into a CRM or an outbound list.
| Dial this by mistake | and you reach | Why it happens |
|---|---|---|
| +86 | China | One digit out on the last position |
| +82 | South Korea | One digit out on the last position |
| +84 | Vietnam | One digit out on the last position |
Other Asia countries in the same numbering zone: Bangladesh +880, Cambodia +855, China +86, Hong Kong +852, Laos +856. Japan's capital is Tokyo.