How to Call Japan From The US

Calling Japan from the US is as simple as dialling your neighbour. For a landline number, you just need to dial the extra thing like the US exit code, Japan Country code, the area code of that specific location, and the local phone number. However, replace the area code with the mobile prefix or toll-free code for mobile or toll-free numbers.

To make a phone call from the US to Japan, simply dial the US exit code (+1), followed by Japan country code (81), area code (1-5 digits), and then the recipient number.

You can also follow the easy-curated guide below to make an easy call.
 

Enter the US exit code (011)
 

Start with the US exit code, which is 011. It is used to make international phone calls and helps exit the call from the US to avoid getting calls to a similar number in the US.
 

Dial the Japan country code
 

Dial the ‘81’, which is the country code of Japan. This allows us to make a phone call to the Japanese country.
 

Type the area code
 

Then, input the Japanese area code for your desired location, which can contain 1-5 digits. Enter the area code, omitting the leading 0 from the area code, like 82, instead of 082 for Hiroshima.
 

Enter your recipient number
 

At last, enter your recipient's landline number (4-8 digits). Double-check the accuracy of your number to ensure a successful connection.
 

You can follow the steps below to make the right call to Japan from the USA. A Japanese mobile number contains 10 digits.
 

Dial 011, the US exit code
 

Dial the US exit code, which is 011. It helps to identify that the phone calls will be made outside of America.
 

Type 81, the Japan Country Code
 

Enter the country code of Japan, which is 81. It helps to identify the country to make the call to the correct destination.
 

Dial the Japan mobile code
 

Unlike their landline number, the Japanese mobile number doesn’t use the area code. Instead, they use a different code as their prefix, which is called the Japan mobile code. It can be 70, 80, or 90.
 

Enter the Local Phone numbers
 

Finally, enter your recipient's number from Japan, which is 8 digits long.
 

There are more than 563 area codes in Japan. Every city, state, prefecture, or region has its unique area code, so you must dial the correct area code of the region you want to connect. Remember that an inaccurate area code might lead your call to different regions in Japan.

Check out the table below for popular area codes in Japan that you should contact.

Japan operates in a single time zone known as Japan Standard Time (JST), which is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+9). It's important to be aware of this time zone difference before dialing Japan from the US

The United States observes six time zones, each covering the different parts of the country. I have listed all these American time zones and their relation with Japanese Standard Time.
 

1. Eastern Standard Time (EST): This time zone covers the east coast of the United States, including major cities like New York, Miami, and Boston. Est is 16 hours behind the JST. So, if it’s 6 am EST, it’s 10 pm (night-time) in Japan.
    
2. Central Standard Time (CST): The major US cities that observe CST include Chicago, Dallas, and Houston. This time is 15 hours behind the Japanese time. When it's 6 am in Chicago, it is 9 pm (night) in Japan.
    
3. Mountain Standard Time (MST): The area in MST includes the cities of Rocky Mountains county like Denver, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. Mountain time is 14 hours behind the Japanese Standard Time. This means that when it is 6 am MST, it is 8 pm in Japan.
    
4. Pacific Standard Time (PST): This time zone is observed on the west coast of the United States, including popular cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. Pacific time is 13 hours behind of the Japanese time. When it is 6 am PST, japan observes the 7 pm of the night time.
    
5. Alaska Standard Time (AST): The AST covers the western region of the United States, including Alaska. It is 12 hours behind the Japanese time. For example, when it is 6 am (morning) in Alaska, Japan observes the 6 pm of the evening time.
    
6. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAT): HAT only covers Hawaii and the Aleutian Islands. The HST is 19 hours behind Japan. When it is 6 am in HST, it’s 1 am at night in Japan.

The best time to call your friends is in their free time. Avoid the call during lunchtime or early morning as they may get disturbed. Additionally, avoid calling when they are on public transport, as this is considered as rude and can disturb others. The appropriate time to call is from late morning to early evening.

I have listed the active hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM JST) as the prime time to dial Japan from the US. The listed time is based on American time zones.

Follow the below tips to ensure a successful and pleasant calling experience when calling Japan from the US.
 

• Consider the time difference between your time zone and the Japan Standard Time (JST) to connect at the right time.
• Compare the international calling rates between different providers and select one that provides low rates for calls to Japan.
• Avoid calling on Japanese national holidays when callers may be unavailable.
• Avoid peak calling times to minimize network congestion and get better call rates.

Dialing Japan from the United States can be costly, as international calling rates are typically higher than domestic rates. However, there is always an alternative way to reduce calling costs. You can simply integrate with VoIP providers, which offer lower call rates than your traditional mobile number.
 

1. VoIP Numbers: Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows you to call through the internet rather than using regular telephone lines. This method is inexpensive and gives better call quality than others. You can use reputational VoIP providers like Calilio that offer a free virtual number with cost-effective options to call Japan from the US.
    
2. Calling Cards: An international calling card is a prepaid card that allows you to make international calls at reduced cost. You can buy one from your local Walmart or supermarket. Try to get one with the top rates and minimal hidden fees.
    
3. Internet Calling Applications: You can utilize free calling applications like WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber to call japan from America. While these are free to call, they come with some limitations. A key drawback is that the recipient needs to have the same application installed as the one you are calling from.

Making a call to Japan from the US might seem complex, but following the above guides, you can connect easily with your Japanese friends and families. Consider time zones, use cost-effective methods, and be mindful of cultural etiquette.

The cost of calling to Japan from America depends on your chosen service providers. The price is between $0.01 to $3.00 per minute.

Yes, you can call a Japan toll-free number from America. The dialing format is similar to dailing 
a regular landline number, involving the U.S. exit code (011), Japan’s country code (81), the toll-free prefix (0120 or 0800), followed by the seven-digit number: 011-81-0120-XXXXXXX or 011-81-0800-XXXXXXX. However, be aware that some U.S. carriers might not support calling foreign toll-free numbers, and international charges may apply.

The cost of calling Japan from the US depends on the providers you choose. With Calilio, making any international call, including Japan, is relatively inexpensive.

You can use online chatting and calling apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber to make free calls to Japan.

The best time to call is during Japan's business hours, which are late afternoon to early evening depending on the specific US timezone.