Cheap Calls to Japan
From $0.15/min
Call Japanese landlines for just $0.15/min. Mobiles are $0.37/min. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, anywhere — one low rate, no app needed on their end.
Your business partner in Tokyo doesn't use LINE. Your grandmother in Osaka doesn't have a smartphone. And your US carrier wants $2–3/min for a simple call. With GlobCall, a 30-minute call to a Japanese landline costs just $4.50 — not $60–90. Works from any browser, anywhere.
Trusted by 10,000+ callers worldwide
Japan
Landline rate
$0.15/min
Mobile rate
$0.37/min
Common greeting
もしもし (Moshi moshi — Hello on phone)
Common goodbye
失礼します (Shitsurei shimasu — Excuse me/Goodbye)
How far does your credit go?
33 min
13 min
66 min
27 min
133 min
54 min
333 min
135 min
Credits never expire • Add more anytime from $5
Pro tip: Japanese businesses often have landlines (area codes like 03 for Tokyo, 06 for Osaka). Call landlines when possible — they're 59% cheaper than mobiles.
How Much Does It Cost to Call Japan?
Calling Japan from the US or UK without an international plan typically costs $1.50–3.00/min. That adds up fast for a business call or a long chat with family. GlobCall cuts that to $0.15/min for landlines — the same rate whether you're calling Tokyo, rural Hokkaido, or an office in Osaka.
| Calling from | Typical carrier | Carrier rate | GlobCall (landline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | AT&T / Verizon | $1.50–3.00/min | $0.15/min |
| 🇬🇧 UK | BT / Vodafone | £0.50–2.00/min | $0.15/min |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Telstra / Optus | AUD 1.00–3.00/min | $0.15/min |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Bell / Rogers | CAD 1.00–2.50/min | $0.15/min |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Telekom / Vodafone | €0.50–2.50/min | $0.15/min |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Singtel / StarHub | SGD 0.80–2.00/min | $0.15/min |
Carrier rates shown are standard pay-per-use without international add-ons (as of early 2026). Mobile rates with GlobCall are $0.37/min.
AT&T (USA)
$15–30
10 min to Japan
BT (UK)
£5–20
10 min to Japan
GlobCall (landline)
$1.50
Same 10 min call
A weekly 30-minute business call to Japan costs $2,340–4,680/year with your carrier. With GlobCall, the same calls to a landline cost just $234/year. That's 90% less — and the difference between avoiding calls and staying connected. See all Asia rates →
How to Call Japan from Your Browser
No calling card, no carrier add-on, no Skype — it shut down in 2025. Five steps, under a minute.
Go to GlobCall.com and sign in
Or create a free account — takes 30 seconds with just an email.
Select Japan 🇯🇵 from the dropdown
The country code +81 is added automatically.
Enter the phone number
Drop the leading 0. If the number is 03-1234-5678 (Tokyo landline), enter 3 1234 5678. For mobile 090-1234-5678, enter 90 1234 5678.
See the per-minute rate displayed
You know exactly what you'll pay before the call connects — $0.15/min for landlines, $0.37/min for mobiles.
Click Call — connected in seconds
The call routes over your internet connection to any Japanese phone number.
Japanese phone number formats
- Landlines: Area code + local number (e.g., 03-1234-5678 for Tokyo)
- Mobiles: 11 digits starting with 070, 080, or 090 (e.g., 090-1234-5678)
- On GlobCall: Drop the leading 0, enter the rest — we add +81
Common Japanese area codes
See an area code? That's a landline — $0.15/min. Numbers starting with 070/080/090 are mobiles — $0.37/min.
Why GlobCall for Calls to Japan
Japan uses LINE, not WhatsApp — so WhatsApp calling won't help for most Japanese contacts. Calling cards have hidden fees. Here's why GlobCall is the better option.
Landlines are dirt cheap
Japanese businesses often use landlines. At $0.15/min, a 30-minute call costs $4.50. That same call with AT&T could be $45–90.
Works when LINE doesn't
Not everyone in Japan uses LINE. Older family members, businesses, or anyone without the app — they need a real phone call, not a chat app.
Perfect for business calls
Japanese business culture values phone calls for important matters. GlobCall lets you call offices in Tokyo, Osaka, or anywhere without carrier surcharges.
Same rate from anywhere
Whether you're in New York, London, Sydney, or Singapore — the rate to Japan stays the same. No location-based surcharges.
Time zone awareness
Japan is UTC+9. We show you the local time before you call, so you don't accidentally wake someone at 3 AM.
Call Japanese banks
Need to reach your Japanese bank, real estate agent, or government office? GlobCall connects to any Japanese phone number.
Running a business? GlobCall for teams and enterprises · See rates for all Asian countries
Who Calls Japan?
Japan is the world's third-largest economy. Whether it's family, business, or cultural connections — millions of people call Japan regularly from around the world.
~1.5M+ connections
Largest Japanese-American community in Hawaii, California, and major cities. Business ties with tech, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.
~1.5M+ connections
Largest Japanese diaspora outside Japan. São Paulo has the largest Japanese population of any city outside Japan.
~70,000+ connections
Business professionals, students, and cultural exchange. Strong ties in finance, tech, and creative industries.
~100,000+ connections
Close geographic and economic ties. Tourism, education, and business connections across both countries.
~120,000+ connections
Japanese-Canadian community in Vancouver, Toronto. Business and cultural exchange programs.
~40,000+ connections
Regional business hub with many Japanese companies. Finance, tech, and manufacturing connections.
Also need to call India, UK, or USA? Same low rates. View all rates →
Good to know before you call
Japan has excellent phone infrastructure. Landlines are reliable and widely used for business. Mobile coverage is near-universal. The main carriers are NTT Docomo, au (KDDI), and SoftBank.
When to call
Japan is on JST (UTC+9). That's 14 hours ahead of US East Coast, 9 hours ahead of UK. Business hours are strict: 9 AM–6 PM. For personal calls, evenings work best.
Country code
+81
GlobCall adds it for you
Emergency (Japan)
Police 110 · Fire/Ambulance 119
Common reasons people call Japan
- Business calls: Japan is a major trading partner for the US, UK, and most of Asia. Tech companies, automotive suppliers, and manufacturers often need to call Japanese offices directly.
- Family: Japanese-Americans, Japanese-Brazilians, and others with family in Japan. Older relatives often don't use LINE or prefer voice calls.
- Banking and admin: Japanese banks, pension offices, and government agencies often require phone calls for verification or inquiries.
- Travel planning: Booking ryokans (traditional inns), restaurants, or experiences that don't have online booking. Many Japanese businesses prefer phone reservations.
- Real estate: Managing property in Japan, coordinating with landlords or property managers.
Wondering why WhatsApp isn't popular in Japan? Looking for the best Skype alternative for business calls? Check if Google Voice works in Japan.
Ready to call Japan?
Open the site, pick Japan, enter the number. $0.15/min to landlines, $0.37/min to mobiles. Your first call is on us.
Try it free30 seconds to sign up · works in any browser · rate shown before you dial
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest way to call Japan from the US or UK?
A browser-based VoIP service like GlobCall. US carriers charge $1.50–3.00/min for calls to Japan without international add-ons. GlobCall is $0.15/min to Japanese landlines, $0.37/min to mobiles — no monthly fee, no contract.
Should I call a Japanese landline or mobile?
Landlines are cheaper ($0.15/min vs $0.37/min for mobiles). Many Japanese businesses still use landlines — offices in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities often have 03, 06, or other area code numbers. If you're calling a company, try the landline first.
What is the country code for Japan?
+81. For landlines, that's +81 followed by the area code (without the leading 0) and local number. Example: Tokyo 03-1234-5678 becomes +81 3 1234 5678. For mobiles, +81 followed by 10 digits (drop the leading 0). GlobCall adds the +81 automatically.
Can I call Japan for free?
LINE is Japan's dominant messaging app — if both people have LINE and good internet, calls are free. But many older Japanese, businesses, and anyone without the app need a real phone call. GlobCall gives you one free call to try.
How do I call a Japanese mobile number?
Japanese mobiles are 11 digits starting with 070, 080, or 090. Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally. On GlobCall: select Japan, enter 10 digits without the 0 (e.g., 90 1234 5678), and we handle the +81.
What time should I call Japan?
Japan is on JST (UTC+9). That's 14 hours ahead of US East Coast, 9 hours ahead of UK. Business hours are 9 AM–6 PM JST. Best time for US callers: early morning US time (7 AM EST = 9 PM JST, good for family calls).
Why doesn't everyone just use LINE?
LINE requires the app, a smartphone, and good internet. Older family members may not use it. Businesses often prefer traditional phone calls. And if someone's phone is off or has no data, LINE won't reach them — but a call to their number will.
Do I need to install anything?
No. GlobCall runs in any modern browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge. Open the site, sign in, dial. Works on laptop, phone, or tablet.
How does billing work?
Buy credit from $5. The per-minute rate ($0.15 for landlines, $0.37 for mobiles) is deducted as you talk. You see the rate before the call connects. Unused credit never expires.
Can I call Japanese toll-free numbers?
Japanese toll-free numbers (0120, 0800) are typically only free when called from within Japan. From abroad, they may not connect or may charge standard rates. For customer service, look for the company's international contact number instead.
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