Navi Dial is a nationwide unified number service starting with 0570, provided by NTT Communications. Since businesses can receive calls from anywhere in Japan using a single number, it is widely adopted by call centers and public service counters. The benefit for businesses is the ability to unify phone numbers across multiple locations and automatically switch call destinations based on time of day or day of the week.
The biggest difference from Free Dial (0120) is who bears the call charges. With Free Dial, the receiving party (business) pays, making calls free for the caller. With Navi Dial, the caller pays the charges. Moreover, since Navi Dial is excluded from mobile phone free minutes and unlimited calling plans, it effectively functions as a premium-rate number. Rates are approximately 9 yen per 3 minutes from landlines, but about 10 yen per 20 seconds from mobile phones - significantly more expensive, costing around 300 yen for a 10-minute call.
Consumer dissatisfaction with Navi Dial remains strong, with frequent social media posts like "0570 is a trap" and "I have unlimited calling but still get charged." While businesses adopt Navi Dial for the cost advantage of passing charges to callers and the convenience of a unified national number, from a customer satisfaction perspective, toll-free numbers (0120/0800) are more favorable.
A practical tip: many businesses publish regular landline numbers (starting with 03 or 06) alongside their Navi Dial number. By searching the company's official website under "Company Information" or "Contact Us" for a landline number and calling that instead, you can make the call within your unlimited calling plan. If only a Navi Dial number is available, it is wise to prepare your points concisely before calling to minimize call duration. You can review the detailed fee structure in the Free Dial vs. Navi Dial comparison.