Area Code 1528 – Bihoro, Hokkaido

Overview of Area Code 1528 (Bihoro, Hokkaido)

Area code 1528 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Bihoro area in the Okhotsk subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. It covers the town of Bihoro and its surrounding administrative districts, including parts of the Abashiri region. This code is used for fixed-line PSTN services within this designated numbering area.

Geographic Coverage and Jurisdiction

The 1528 area code serves a rural region in northeastern Hokkaido, with Bihoro as the primary city. The area is known for its agricultural landscape and proximity to the Sea of Okhotsk. The numbering area falls under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and is administered by NTT East, the regional incumbent carrier.

Dialing Formats

Local dialing (within the 1528 area): When placing a call to another number within the same 1528 area, you can dial the 6-digit subscriber number directly, without the area code. For example, if the subscriber number is 123456, dial 123456.

National dialing (from other areas in Japan): Dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 1528, and then the 6-digit subscriber number. For instance, to call a Bihoro number 123456 from Tokyo, dial 0-1528-123456.

International dialing (from outside Japan): Dial the international access code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most countries), then Japan's country code 81, then the area code without the leading zero, and the subscriber number. For example, from the US, you would dial 011-81-1528-123456.

Numbering Structure and Overlays

Subscriber numbers in the 1528 area are 6 digits long, giving a total local number length of 10 digits when including the area code (excluding the trunk prefix). As of the latest MIC updates, there are no overlay codes for this area, meaning 1528 is the sole NDC for this geographic region. However, users should be aware that number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when switching carriers, but the geographic significance remains tied to the original assignment.

Caller Instructions

For local callers: If you are within the 1528 area, simply dial the 6-digit subscriber number. If you are calling from a mobile phone, you may need to include the area code even if you are in the same region, depending on your carrier's settings.

For international callers: Always drop the leading zero from the area code when dialing from abroad. Ensure you have the correct country code (81) and the full subscriber number. International call charges apply, and the call will be routed via the PSTN to the Bihoro exchange.