Japanese phone numbers are much more complicated than American phone numbers. While American phone numbers are always XXX-XXX-XXXX with the first three numbers being the area code, Japanese phone numbers are full of varieties!
Today, we just stick to some basics. Here are some useful facts to know:
1. Landline Numbers
Landline numbers are 10 digits. The first number is always 0. The second number reflects the geographical location. For example, 1 is assigned to Hokkaido in the North, and 9 is assigned to Okinawa in the South.
In the biggest cities, the first two digits are regarded as the area code. For example, in the Tokyo metropolitan area, phone numbers are 03-XXXX-XXXX. In big cities, the first 3 digits are the area code. For example, in Sapporo, phone numbers are 011-XXX-XXXX. Smaller cities have four digit area code. For example, in Narita, phone numbers are 0476-XX-XXXX. The smallest towns have 5 digit area codes.
2. Cell Phone Numbers
Cell phone numbers are 11 digits, with the first 3 digits being the area code: either 080 or 090. Unlike a landline number, a cell phone number does not tell you the geographical location of the owner. Rather it tells you which carrier provides the service.
3. Toll Free Numbers
Japanese toll free numbers are 0120-XXX-XXX.
4. Important Numbers to Remember
Police: 110
Ambulance & Fire truck: 119
5. Calling a Japanese phone number from overseas
When you make an international call, you always need to dial the “international prefix”. If you live in the U.S, that’s 011. After that, you dial the country code. The country code for Japan is 81. Then you proceed to the area code but you do NOT dial the first 0.
For example, if you want to call 090-1790-1357 from the U.S, you dial the following:
011-81-90-1790-1357.
And you can tell from its area code that this number reaches a cell phone!
6. Useful tips to remember
- Calling a Japanese cell phone number costs a lot more than calling a landline number. So if you have a choice, call a landline number!
- In Japan, receiving a call is always free even when you are on your cell phone. Cell phone minutes are consumed only when you make a call.
Enjoy talking to your Japanese friends!
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