Zips and Zaps: Powering Up in Japan

So you're planning a trip to Japan and you're not sure if your electrical devices will work here? Here's how to find out if they'll work at all, and what to do to make them plug in correctly.

Coming from the USA (or Canada)

For almost any portable electrical item that works in the USA, NO POWER CONVERTOR purchase is necessary to make it function in Japan!

The power system in Tokyo is almost the same as US standard. 100-120v/50hertz, whereas the power system in Japan west of Tokyo is exactly the same as the USA standard of 100-120v/60hertz. (Westinghouse even built their original systems.)

Most modern electronics will handle both 50hertz or 60hertz without effort. My old US phone did, most of the electronics I brought here from the USA did. Only a single kitchen blender did not.

Read the label or imprinted information on the back of the device or its charger/transformer (the thingie you plug in, see pics below). It needs to read both: "AC 110v" or "AC 120v" AND "50/60 hertz" to be safe for use anywhere in Japan.

Good for use anywhere in Japan, as-is.

Another one good for use anywhere in Japan.

The ONLY example I could find of one requiring a single Hertz setting. This one (60Hz) may NOT be used in Tokyo, but may still be used in Osaka or Kobe.

Coming from a non USA-based power system country

If you are coming from somewhere that has a 200-240v system (Type "C" or other), you will definitely need a 220v voltage convertor, unless your electrical item has been designed for international 110/220v system. You will also need the proper Type "A" plus as discussed above.

110v to 220v voltage convertor

Be aware: I was stunned at how FAST my phone charged whenever visiting Australia! The transformer was compatible, but I suspect it was due to having a lot more "oomph" (technical electronics term) to work with! People coming to Japan from 220v countries may experience the opposite with our "weaker" power system, and wonder why everything is taking so long to charge. Now you know...

Plugs and Pins

You will find that a "third pin" is not built into the wall sockets in Japan. The circuits provide for safe grounding in a complicated manner I'm not going to digress to explain. But trust me, electricity here is just as safe, if not safer, than in the USA.

Most common types of electrical equipment socket plugs. Japan is almost all Type "A" while the USA uses both Type "A" and Type "B."

If your item plug has only two pins (Type "A"), you're all set! Plug it in and go.

But if your item has a three-pin plug (Type "B"), you must buy a three-pin to two-pin plug as shown below. (It may have a "loose wire" as shown to ground the third pin, but in Japan you can safely ignore that, due to the different grounding system.)

Ignore the dangly wire (or even cut it off) when using in Japan. (Note this photo shows two, to display front and back.)