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Japan Plug Type and Voltage: Do You Need an Adapter or Converter?

Japan uses Type A plugs at 100 V, with 50 Hz in the east and 60 Hz in the west. Which chargers work, which appliances do not, and what to pack.

By TravelSafe JapanPublished September 24, 20265 min read4 official sources
Plug type
Type A
Some Type B sockets
Voltage
100 V
Everywhere in Japan
Frequency
50 / 60 Hz
East / west
100–240V chargers
Adapter only
No converter needed

Check the INPUT line on each charger. If it says 100–240V, all you need is a plug adapter.

Quick answer

What Plug and Voltage Does Japan Use?

Japan uses Type A two-flat-pin plugs, with some Type B three-pin sockets, at 100 V. The frequency is 50 Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo, Tohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hz in western Japan (Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka). Chargers labelled 100–240V need only a plug adapter; devices rated 220–240V only need a step-up transformer.

The Sockets You Will Find

Most Japanese wall sockets take Type A plugs — two flat parallel pins, the same shape used in the US and Canada. Type B sockets, which add a round earth pin below the two flat pins, also exist. A three-pin Type B plug may not fit a two-slot socket, so if your charger has a round third pin, pack a 3-to-2 pin adapter.

Check your plug against your home country in the Plug & Voltage Checker — it covers 55 countries.

Do You Need a Plug Adapter? Common Home Countries

If your home plugs are not Type A, you need a plug adapter for every device you bring. From the IEC World Plugs table (archived December 2023):

  • United StatesType A/B, 120 V, 60 Hz — Type A plugs fit; three-pin Type B may need a 3-to-2 adapter
  • CanadaType A/B, 120 V, 60 Hz — same as the US
  • United KingdomType G, 230 V, 50 Hz — adapter needed
  • AustraliaType I, 230 V, 50 Hz — adapter needed
  • GermanyType C/F, 230 V, 50 Hz — adapter needed
  • China (mainland): Type A/I, 220 V, 50 Hz — Type A plugs fit, Type I needs an adapter
  • South KoreaType C/F, 220 V, 60 Hz — adapter needed
  • PhilippinesType A/B/C, 220 V, 60 Hz — Type A plugs fit, Type C needs an adapter
  • IndiaType C/D/M, 230 V, 50 Hz — adapter needed
  • SingaporeType C/G/M, 230 V, 50 Hz — adapter needed

100 V: Which Devices Work and Which Do Not

Japan's 100 V is lower than almost anywhere else. The label on each charger or appliance tells you what it can handle — look for the INPUT line.

If it says 100–240V (for example "INPUT 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz"), the device works in Japan with only a plug adapter. This is true of most phone, tablet, laptop and camera chargers.

If it says 220–240V only, the device will run weakly or not at all on 100 V. Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons and travel kettles are the usual problems. Either buy a dual-voltage model, use the one at your hotel, or carry a step-up transformer rated for the device's wattage.

If you come from a 110–127 V country such as the US or Canada, most devices work as they are, although high-heat appliances can run a little weaker than at home.

50 Hz or 60 Hz: Japan Is Split in Two

Japan is one of very few countries with two mains frequencies. Eastern Japan runs at 50 Hz and western Japan at 60 Hz. The boundary follows the Fuji River (Shizuoka) and Itoigawa (Niigata). Some districts near the boundary (e.g. parts of Shizuoka and Nagano) have both 50 Hz and 60 Hz supply.

  • 50 HzTokyo / Kanto, Tohoku, Hokkaido
  • 60 HzNagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu
Modern chargers are marked 50/60Hz and work everywhere. Frequency mainly matters for older devices with motors or clocks, which can run at a different speed.

Packing Checklist

What to pack depends on your plugs and on the INPUT label of each device:

  • One plug adapter per device you will charge at the same time (or a multi-port USB charger that accepts 100–240V)
  • A 3-to-2 pin adapter if any charger has a round earth pin
  • Check the INPUT line on hair tools and kettles before you pack them
  • A step-up transformer only for devices you cannot replace and that are rated 220–240V only

Frequently asked questions

What plug type does Japan use?

Type A, with two flat parallel pins. Some Type B sockets with a round earth pin also exist, but a three-pin plug may not fit a two-slot socket.

Do I need a converter for Japan?

Only for devices that are not rated for 100 V. Anything labelled 100–240V, which includes most phone and laptop chargers, needs just a plug adapter. Devices rated 220–240V only need a step-up transformer or a dual-voltage replacement.

What voltage is Japan?

Japan uses 100 V everywhere, at 50 Hz in the east (Tokyo) and 60 Hz in the west (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya).

Can I use my UK or Australian charger in Japan?

Yes, with a plug adapter, as long as the charger is labelled 100–240V. UK Type G and Australian Type I plugs do not fit Japanese sockets.

Sources

  1. JNTO — Plugs and electricity in Japan
    100 V nationwide; 50 Hz east, 60 Hz west
  2. Chubu Electric Power — Where the 50 Hz / 60 Hz boundary lies (Japanese)
    Boundary along the Fuji River and Itoigawa; mixed districts
  3. Hokkaido Electric Power Network — Japan’s two frequencies (Japanese)
    East 50 Hz, west 60 Hz
  4. IEC World Plugs — plug types, voltage and frequency by country (archived December 20, 2023; IEC has since retired the guide)
    Plug types, voltage and frequency for each country in the checker

Sources checked: September 24, 2026

Researched and fact-checked by the TravelSafe Japan team against the sources above. AI tools helped with drafting; every rule, number and date was checked by an editor. General information, not legal or medical advice. Spotted an error? Tell us · How we verify