81 Country Code: Japan (+81)
Country code 81 (+81) belongs to Japan. Japan uses the international dialing code +81, assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the E.164 standard. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is JP.
You will see the same code written several ways depending on origin: +81 (universal + prefix, works from mobile), 0081 (from countries that use 00 as their international exit code — most of Europe, Asia, and Latin America), 011 81 (from the US and Canada), 0011 81 (from Australia), or the bare 81. All refer to the same Japan country code.
Japanese landline area codes range from 1 digit for Tokyo (03) and Osaka (06) to 5 digits for rural areas, always dialed with a leading 0 domestically. Mobile numbers are always 11 digits starting with 070, 080, or 090, becoming +81 70, +81 80, or +81 90 internationally. IP phones use 050-prefixed numbers.
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Japanese mobiles are longer than landlines — always 11 digits starting 070, 080, or 090.
Did You Get a Call from +81? Here's What That Means
Any incoming call that displays +81 followed by more digits is originating from Japan. The caller is dialing you from a Japan-registered phone number — either a landline or a mobile on a Japan carrier.
Common reasons people receive calls from +81:
- -Family or friends in Japan calling from a local number
- -Business contacts at Japan-based companies
- -Customer support agents working from a Japan call center
- -Travel-related calls (hotels, airlines, tour operators)
- -Less commonly, robocalls or scam calls that have spoofed a +81 number — if the call is unsolicited, do not return it without verifying the source
To return a call to a +81 number from the US, use Kinvo's Japan dialing guide — calls cost from $0.20/min with no app to download.
Japan Phone Number Format
International Format Example
Domestic vs International
Drop 0 and prepend +81.
Major City Area Codes in Japan
Area codes for the largest cities in Japan. When dialing from abroad, prepend +81 and drop the leading 0.
| City / Region | Area Code | Domestic Form | From Abroad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 3 | 03 | +81 3 |
| Osaka | 6 | 06 | +81 6 |
| Yokohama | 45 | 045 | +81 45 |
| Nagoya | 52 | 052 | +81 52 |
| Kyoto | 75 | 075 | +81 75 |
| Sapporo | 11 | 011 | +81 11 |
Mobile Networks in Japan
- 70
- 80
- 90 (dial 070/080/090 domestically)
- NTT Docomo
- KDDI (au)
- SoftBank
- Rakuten Mobile
Japan Telephone System Facts
Calling Japan Successfully: Common Mistakes & Best Practices
Most failed calls to Japan come from one of four mistakes, not from network problems. The most common is mishandling the leading 0: domestically, Japan numbers are written with 0 at the front (e.g. 09012345678), but that 0 is the domestic trunk prefix and must be removed when calling from outside Japan. Dial +81 followed directly by the local number without the 0.
The second is misreading the area code on landline numbers — Japan area codes are not uniform length (Tokyo 3, Osaka 6, Yokohama 45), so confirm the city before dialing. The third is dialing during off-hours — Japan uses Japanese business hours and consumer phones are usually answered between 8 AM and 9 PM local time. The fourth and most expensive mistake is assuming your US carrier's WiFi calling feature makes the call cheap. It does not — see WiFi calling vs VoIP for international calls for why.
For scam-call awareness: +81 is the legitimate Japan country code, and most unsolicited calls from +81 numbers are legitimate calls from Japan-based businesses, hospitals, family members, or call centers serving US customers. Caller-ID spoofing exists, so if a call from a +81 number claims to be from a US government agency, your bank, or the IRS, hang up and call the agency back on its published number. Real authorities never demand payment over the phone.
When you are ready to place a call, the cheapest reliable route is to dial +81 from your browser using Kinvo — no app, no carrier add-on, and the per-minute rate is shown before you connect so there are no bill surprises. The browser approach also works from any laptop, tablet, or phone you happen to have access to, which matters when you're traveling, using a work device, or borrowing someone else's computer.
Calling Japan from Your Browser
To place a call to Japan, dial +81 followed by the local number in the Kinvo browser dialer. Pay-as-you-go, no app required.
Call Japan from Your Browser
Call any Japan number (+81) directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No install required. Use it in under 2 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Japan Country Code
Which country is country code 81?
Country code 81 belongs to Japan. The full international dialing code is +81, also written as 0081 from countries using 00 as their international exit code (Europe, most of Asia, Latin America), 011 81 from the US and Canada, or +81 from any mobile phone.
What is the country code for Japan?
+81 is the international dialing code for Japan, assigned by the ITU under E.164. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is JP. Equivalent forms — 0081, 011 81, +81, and 81 — all refer to the same Japan country code.
What are the main area codes in Japan?
The largest cities in Japan use these area codes: Tokyo (3), Osaka (6), Yokohama (45), Nagoya (52). When calling from abroad, prepend +81.
Who are the main mobile carriers in Japan?
The major mobile operators in Japan are NTT Docomo, KDDI (au), SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile. Kinvo routes calls to every Japan mobile carrier at the same per-minute rate — no hidden surcharges for premium networks.
Do I drop the 0 when calling Japan from abroad?
Yes. Japan uses 0 as its domestic trunk prefix. When dialing from another country, remove it and replace with +81. The trunk prefix is only needed for long-distance calls within Japan.
What is the emergency number in Japan?
The emergency services number in Japan is 110 (police) / 119 (fire, ambulance). Emergency numbers cannot be dialed via Kinvo or any VoIP service — use a mobile network or landline for life-threatening emergencies.
Can I call Japan from my browser?
Yes. Kinvo connects calls to Japan via WebRTC directly from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No app download. Sign up, add credits from $5, and dial +81 followed by the local number.