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Formula
From the US: 011 (or +) → 81 → Japanese number without the leading 0.
| Type | Domestic in Japan | Save as (portable) | Dial from US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline (Tokyo) | 03-XXXX-XXXX | +81 3 XXXX XXXX | 011 81 3 XXXX XXXX |
| Mobile | 090-XXXX-XXXX | +81 90 XXXX XXXX | 011 81 90 XXXX XXXX |
X characters are placeholders, not a private callable number. Japan’s outbound 010 applies when dialing from Japan; it is not the US exit for this route.
Dial it step by step
- 1
Exit the US network. On a mobile or modern contact book, start with +. On a US landline, PBX, or digit-only service, dial 011.
- 2
Add the Japan country calling code: 81.
- 3
Add the NSN after removing the domestic leading 0: 090 becomes 90 and 03 becomes 3.
Portable contact format: + 81 + NSN
Digits-only call from US: 011 + 81 + NSN
Mobile and landline rules
- Mobile: 090 becomes +81 90; 080 and 070 lose the same leading 0.
- Geographic landline: Tokyo 03 becomes +81 3.
- Japan’s 010 is an outbound prefix from Japan, not an inbound destination digit.
See the Japan calling-code reference and the international dialing format guide.
Worked examples
Domestic → portable international → digits-only from United States. All subscriber digits shown as X are placeholders.
| Type | Domestic in Japan | Save as (portable) | Dial from US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo landline | 03-XXXX-XXXX | +81 3 XXXX XXXX | 011 81 3 XXXX XXXX |
| Osaka landline | 06-XXXX-XXXX | +81 6 XXXX XXXX | 011 81 6 XXXX XXXX |
| Kyoto landline | 075-XXX-XXXX | +81 75 XXX XXXX | 011 81 75 XXX XXXX |
| Yokohama landline | 045-XXX-XXXX | +81 45 XXX XXXX | 011 81 45 XXX XXXX |
| Japan mobile | 090-XXXX-XXXX | +81 90 XXXX XXXX | 011 81 90 XXXX XXXX |
Common mistakes on this route
- Keeping the Japanese domestic 0 after 81.
- Using Japan’s outbound 010 as if it were the US exit.
- Saving 011 in the contact instead of +81.
Quick Japan area codes (from the US)
| City / area | Domestic area code | After +81 / 011 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 03 | 3 |
| Osaka | 06 | 6 |
| Kyoto | 075 | 75 |
| Yokohama | 045 | 45 |
| Nagoya | 052 | 52 |
| Fukuoka | 092 | 92 |
| Sapporo | 011 | 11 |
| Kobe | 078 | 78 |
Time difference (practical)
Japan Standard Time is UTC+9 with no daylight saving time. Japan is typically about 13–14 hours ahead of US Eastern depending on US daylight saving time.
How the international format is built
Under ITU-T E.164, the international number is the country code plus national significant number, with a maximum of 15 digits. The + symbol and spacing are access/display notation rather than E.164 digits.
Portable
+ 81 + NSN
Digits-only from US
011 + 81 + NSN
Related routes and references
FAQ
What is the Japan country code from the US?
81. Dial 011 or +, then 81, then the Japanese number without its leading domestic 0.
Do I dial 011 or +?
Use + on a mobile or saved contact when supported. Use 011 on a US landline or digit-only path. After that, use the destination country code and national significant number.
Why drop the zero?
The leading 0 is a domestic trunk prefix, not part of the NSN after country code 81.
How do I dial a Japan mobile from the US?
Drop the 0 from 090-XXXX-XXXX, then dial 011 81 90 XXXX XXXX or +81 90 XXXX XXXX.
Is Japan’s exit code 010 relevant here?
Only when dialing outbound from Japan. For US to Japan, use US 011 or +.
Standards and numbering-plan sources
- ITU-T E.164: The international public telecommunication numbering planInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
- ITU-T E.123: Notation for national and international telephone numbersInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
- National numbering plan: United StatesInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
- National numbering plan: JapanInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
See our editorial and sourcing methodology.