Area Code 1394 – Matsumae, Hokkaido

Overview of Area Code 1394

Area code 1394 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Japanese numbering plan, assigned to the Matsumae region in the southern part of Hokkaido. This area, known for its historic Matsumae Castle and coastal scenery, falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Oshima Subprefecture. The code serves the town of Matsumae and its surrounding communities, including parts of the former Fukushima and Shiriuchi towns, which are now part of Matsumae after municipal mergers.

Geographic Coverage and Dialing Formats

The 1394 area code covers a predominantly rural district along the Tsugaru Strait, facing Aomori Prefecture across the sea. Key localities include Matsumae town center, the port area, and nearby hamlets. For local calls within the same area code, subscribers dial the 6-digit subscriber number directly without the area code. For calls from outside the 1394 area but still within Japan, the national trunk prefix 0 must be dialed first, followed by the area code and the subscriber number: 0-1394-XX-XXXX. International callers from abroad should dial +81 1394 XX-XXXX (or 011 81 1394 XX-XXXX from North America), omitting the leading zero of the national prefix.

Numbering Structure and Overlays

Subscriber numbers in the 1394 area are six digits long, resulting in a total number length of 10 digits when including the area code (excluding the national trunk prefix). As of the latest numbering plan updates, there is no overlay code for this region; the 1394 code is the sole geographic code for the area. However, in accordance with Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) guidelines, the area code is part of the closed numbering plan, meaning that even local calls may require the full 10-digit number in certain contexts, especially for mobile and IP phone calls.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within Matsumae: simply dial the 6-digit subscriber number. For callers elsewhere in Japan: dial 0-1394-XX-XXXX. For international callers: dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from most countries, 011 from the US/Canada), then 81 (Japan's country code), then 1394 (without the leading zero), followed by the 6-digit subscriber number. For example, to reach a Matsumae number 12-3456, an international caller would dial +81 1394 12-3456.

Important Notes

As with all geographic numbers in Japan, calls to 1394 numbers are charged according to the caller's carrier tariff, typically based on distance and duration. Since the region is served by NTT East, landline numbers may be subject to NTT's local call rates. Mobile and VoIP users should be aware that calls to geographic numbers are generally included in their plan's call allowances, but it is advisable to check with your provider for specific rates.