Japan Phone Number: The Ultimate Guide
Received a call from a number that begins with +81? That was Japan calling! +81 is Japan’s country code – a unique identifier that shows where in the world a number belongs. Every country has one!
But +81 isn’t the only significant number when it comes to Japan phone numbers. In this guide, we’ll show you some of the most important numbers within the numbers, and why having a real Japanese phone number is so important when you visit or move to Japan.
Japan Phone Number Example
Japanese phone numbers are split into a few different sections. These are a little different depending on whether it’s a mobile number or a landline number.
If you’re dialling a Japanese phone number from outside Japan, you should always start with +81 – international dialling code for Japan. If you’re in Japan, you can use 0 instead.
The next numbers in a Japanese phone number are either the area code (if it’s a landline number), or the mobile prefix (if it’s a mobile number).
The rest of the numbers are unique to the Japan phone number you’re dialling.
Here are some top Japanese area codes:
| City | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 3 |
| Osaka | 6 |
| Yokohama | 45 |
| Sapporo | 11 |
| Kyoto | 75 |
The mobile prefixes in Japanese cell phone numbers are 070, 080 and 090. 090 is the OG mobile prefix in Japan. It was introduced first, so it’s seen as prestigious and desirable to have a phone number that starts with that. 080 is much more common, and has been widely used for a number of years now. 070 is the most recent addition, so you’re more likely to see that as part of phone numbers being used by the younger generation! In late 2024, Japan’s mobile networks reported that they were running out of phone numbers – that means that Japan is now preparing to introduce a new mobile prefix – you guessed it… 060!
0063 – The Magic Numbers
If you’re already in Japan, the numbers 0063 may already be dear to your heart. Why? Because if you use Mobal for your Japanese phone service, adding 0063 to the start of the number you’re dialling from Japan means that you get cheaper rates for international calls!
Calls from Japanese Mobal numbers to countries like Australia, the US and the UK (plus many more!) cost just 26% of the price that standard international calls would cost – so it’s worth adding it to the numbers of your most-used contacts.
Why You Need a Japanese Phone Number, Even If You’re Just Visiting
Surely Japanese phone numbers are just for people who live there, right? Unfortunately, it’s not so simple!
Japan is full of surprises for visitors – most of them good ones, but some less so! Many tourists are shocked to find that to use many food delivery apps, make reservations, or even book concert tickets, the service they’re using in Japan will only work if it’s able to send an SMS message for verification… and it’ll only accept a Japanese phone number!
Getting a phone number from a traditional Japanese network is a lengthy and complicated process, and it’s often only open to those who’ve been in the country for several months. Luckily, you can use Mobal instead! Mobal offer great value Voice SIMs and eSIMs, with same-day pickup available all over Japan (so you can get yourself a phone number before the tickets you’re trying to buy sell out!). All Mobal’s Voice SIMs and eSIMs include unlimited incoming SMS too – perfect for those verification messages. There’s no minimum contract or termination fees, and the first month is always the cheapest – meaning it’s perfect for long-term residents and tourists alike.
Emergency Service Numbers in Japan
Here are a few more important numbers to save in your phone if you’re heading to Japan, if you’re already there!
| Emergency Service | Phone Number in Japan |
|---|---|
| Fire & Ambulance | 119 |
| Police | 110 |
| Disaster Information | 171 |
| Coast Guard | 118 |
Now that you’re familiar with how Japanese phone numbers work, you might be wondering — how to get a Japanese phone number? Pick up yours from Mobal today.
