Japan's power is 100V, split between two frequencies, and uses Type A plugs. Here's exactly what you need to bring — and what you don't — based on where you're coming from.
Japan runs on 100V, which is lower than most of the world, and — unusually — the country is split into two frequencies: 50Hz in the east (Tokyo, Yokohama, Sendai) and 60Hz in the west (Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto). The standard plug is Type A, the same flat two-pin shape used in North America. Whether you need anything at all depends mostly on where you're traveling from and what you're bringing.
| Country / Region | Voltage | Frequency | Plug type | Adapter needed | Converter needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan / 日本 | 100V | 50Hz（东日本，含东京、横滨、仙台）/ 60Hz（西日本，含大阪、名古屋、京都） | A 型（两片扁平插脚，多数不带接地孔） | — | — | — |
| United States / Canada | 120V | 60Hz | A/B 型 | No | No | Same plug shape as Japan (Type A). Voltage is close enough (120V vs 100V) that almost all devices work without a converter. |
| United Kingdom | 230V | 50Hz | G 型（三只矩形插脚） | Yes | Yes | Plug shape is completely different, so a shape adapter is required. High-wattage single-voltage appliances (hair dryers, straighteners) also need a voltage converter unless labeled 100–240V. |
| Germany / France (EU) | 230V | 50Hz | C/E/F 型（圆形双插脚） | Yes | Yes | Needs a shape adapter. Laptop and phone chargers are almost always dual-voltage (100–240V) and work fine; hair dryers and similar heating appliances usually need a converter. |
| Australia | 230V | 50Hz | I 型（斜八字插脚） | Yes | Yes | Needs a shape adapter and, for non dual-voltage appliances, a converter. |
| Mainland China | 220V | 50Hz | A/C/I 型（因插座而异） | Yes | Yes | Plug shape varies by socket, so bringing a universal adapter is safest. Voltage is roughly double Japan's, so check each device before plugging in directly. |
| South Korea | 220V | 60Hz | C/F 型（圆形双插脚） | Yes | Yes | Needs a shape adapter and, for non dual-voltage appliances, a converter. |
| India | 230V | 50Hz | C/D/M 型 | Yes | Yes | Needs a shape adapter and, for non dual-voltage appliances, a converter. |
Plug shapes and outlet types can vary by building age and region even within one country. Treat this table as a general reference and check your specific device or a current travel-adapter guide before you rely on it.
A plug adapter only changes the shape of the plug so it physically fits a Japanese outlet — it does not change the voltage. A voltage converter (or transformer) actually steps the voltage up or down.
Most modern electronics — phone chargers, laptop chargers, camera battery chargers — are dual-voltage and list "INPUT: 100–240V" somewhere on the charger or its label. If you see that range, you only need a shape adapter, never a converter, anywhere in Japan.
Devices without that label — hair dryers, hair straighteners, electric shavers with a fixed voltage, kettles — are usually built for a single voltage and can run hot, slow, or even get damaged on the wrong voltage. For those, bring a travel-sized dual-voltage version, or plan to buy a cheap one locally instead of converting.
If you're coming from a country with a different plug shape, get a compact adapter with built-in USB-A/USB-C ports before you arrive — one adapter then charges your phone, laptop, and camera without needing three separate plugs.
Older hotels, ryokan (traditional inns), and guesthouses sometimes have very few outlets in a room. A small multi-port USB charger or a slim power strip (bought locally or brought from home) solves this quickly.
Power banks are genuinely useful for long days out, but airlines cap the battery capacity you can carry (usually 100Wh, sometimes up to 160Wh with airline approval) — check your airline's rule before packing one.
If you forget an adapter, convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) sometimes carry basic ones, and electronics chains like Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, and Don Quijote reliably stock full ranges of adapters and converters at airports and major stations.
A single Japanese household outlet or power strip is typically rated around 1500W (15A at 100V). Running two high-wattage devices — like a hair dryer and an electric kettle — on the same strip at once can trip the circuit breaker.
Many older buildings only have ungrounded 2-pin (Type A) outlets. If your device has a 3-pin grounded plug, you'll need a grounding adapter, or simply choose devices without one for the trip.
Do not plug a single-voltage 230V/220V appliance directly into a 100V Japanese outlet expecting it to just run slower — it usually won't work at all, and forcing it can damage the device or, in the reverse direction (100V device into a 230V outlet abroad), create a fire risk.
Yes. Japan uses the same Type A flat two-pin plug shape as the US and Canada, and the voltage difference (100V vs. 120V) is small enough that almost all devices work fine without any adapter or converter.
Almost never. Check the charger for "INPUT: 100–240V" — if it's printed there, the charger already handles Japan's 100V automatically, and you only need a shape adapter if your plug doesn't match Type A.
These are the most common exception. Many are single-voltage and can be damaged or underperform on 100V. Bring a dual-voltage travel model, or plan to buy an inexpensive one in Japan instead of using a converter.
Electronics chains such as Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, and Don Quijote sell a full range of adapters and converters, including at airport and major station branches. Some convenience stores carry basic ones too.
Historically, eastern Japan (around Tokyo) imported German 50Hz generators, while western Japan (around Osaka) imported American 60Hz generators, and the split was never unified. It mainly matters for frequency-sensitive appliances like some clocks or motors — most modern electronics are unaffected.