Comprehensive living guide for foreign residents in Japan “Living Information”

Tips for a Better Living Experience What to Do in Case of Emergency Legal Procedures for Your Residence in Japan Information for Your Daily Life Insurance/Welfare service Marriage/Childbirth/Parenting Education Employment/Pension/Tax Information/Consultation Service for Foreign Residents Government offices Fire station/Police station/Hospitals (Directory) Facilities for Sports/Sightseeing/Cultural events
Top page > Information for Your Daily Life > Telephone/ International callSite map

Telephone/ International call
Information for Your Daily Life

Telephone services are available through home phones, public pay phones, and mobile phones. Public pay phones are usually located near a train station or a store and can be used with 10 yen coins, 100 yen coins or prepaid telephone cards. Telephone cards are available at station kiosks and convenience stores.


Installing a new phone line

If you wish to install a new telephone line at your home, call NTT at 116. Valid identification to prove your current address (your passport, alien registration certificate, driver's license, etc.) is required for the application. You may choose from different phone services, such as IP phone and "hikari" (fiber-optic) phone, depending on the availability in your area. Services may also be provided by other telephone companies than NTT. To learn about available phone services, call each phone company for details.


Mobile phone

Mobile phone services are available in most areas of Japan. There are several mobile phone companies; contact each company for details of their services.


How to pay a phone bill

Once you receive a phone bill, pay it by the due date at nearby NTT offices and service counters, banks, post offices, or convenience stores. Automatic debit payment from your bank account and credit card payment are also available.


How to make an international call

You may make an international call directly from your home phone, mobile phone or a public pay phone. The rate system, calling process, and countries/regions you can call are different for each international telephone service you may use. If you wish to make an international call from a public phone, look for a gray-colored phone marked "International & Domestic."


Numbers for NTT services

* No area code necessary; in Japanese only
116 - To notify of your moving, to apply for a new phone service, to inquire about telephone services
113 - Telephone repairs
114 - "Busy-signal" inquiry: call to see if the busy number you are trying to reach is actually engaged or out of service
115 - Telegram service
106 - Operator-assisted collect calls
108 - Automatic collect calls

Tokyo's basic information "Phone" / Tokyo Tourism Info
Multilanguage living guide "Telephone"
NTT East
Go to top of this page


Trash collection
Electricity/ Gas/ Water
Telephone/ International call
TV/ Radio/ Newspaper/ Internet
Public transport
Mail service/
Takuhaibin delivery service
Banking service/ Financial management
Car/ Motorcycle/ Bicycle
Animal/ Pet
Housing/ Rent/ Moving


Top page > Information for Your Daily Life > Telephone/ International call

(C)2006 International Communication Commitee
Home