Area Code 246 – Iwaki, Fukushima

Overview of Area Code 246 (Iwaki, Fukushima)

Area code 246 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Japanese numbering plan, assigned to the city of Iwaki and its surrounding areas in Fukushima Prefecture, located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional analog lines, ISDN, and fiber-optic (FTTH) based voice services provided by NTT East and other licensed carriers.

The 246 area code covers the former city of Iwaki and its administrative districts, including Taira, Uchigō, and Yumoto, as well as the surrounding towns and villages that merged into Iwaki in 1966. Major landmarks served by this code include the Iwaki City Hall, the Iwaki La La Mew (a popular seaside resort), and the Jōban coal mining heritage sites. The region is also known for its scenic coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the Abukuma Highlands.

Dialing Formats

For local calls within the 246 area code, subscribers can dial the 6-digit subscriber number without the area code. For example, to call a local number such as 123-456, you would simply dial 123456.

For calls from other regions within Japan, you must dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For instance, to call a number in Iwaki from Tokyo, you would dial: 0-246-123-456.

For international callers, the format is: +81 246 123 456. The leading zero of the area code is dropped when dialing from abroad. The plus sign (+) represents the international access code, which varies by country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries).

Geographic Coverage and Overlays

The 246 area code serves a population of approximately 350,000 residents. It is one of several area codes in Fukushima Prefecture, with neighboring codes including 24 (Kōriyama), 25 (Aizuwakamatsu), and 247 (Nakoso). There is no overlay code in this region; the 246 code is the sole NDC for this geographic area. As of 2024, no changes to the numbering plan are planned for this area.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Iwaki): Dial the 6-digit subscriber number directly.
• Domestic callers (from other Japanese cities): Dial 0 followed by 246 and the subscriber number.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code, then 81 (Japan's country code), then 246, then the subscriber number. Do not dial the leading zero.

When dialing from a mobile phone in Japan, the same trunk prefix rules apply, but mobile users may also use the +81 format for international calls. For emergency services (police, fire, ambulance), always dial 110 or 119 regardless of location.