P01
P01 · Packing & budget

Japan Plug Type & Voltage Checker

You’ll see コンセント konsento: power socket, the word to use at a hotel or café

Pick your country to see whether your plugs fit Japanese power outlets and whether your devices work on Japan's 100 V supply.

Quick answer

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

More about plugs and power in Japan

Will my device work in Japan?

Look for the INPUT line on the charger or device label. If it includes 100 V (for example “100–240V ~ 50/60Hz”), it works in Japan with only a plug adapter.

Phone & laptop chargers
Usually 100–240V
Plug adapter only
Camera battery chargers
Usually 100–240V
Plug adapter only
Electric toothbrush / shaver
Check the label
Often dual-voltage
Hair dryer / straightener / curler
Often 220–240V only
May not work — check the label
Travel kettle / heater
Often single-voltage
May not work — check the label
50 Hz or 60 Hz? It depends on the city

50 Hz (east): Tokyo / Kanto, Tohoku, Hokkaido.
60 Hz (west): Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu.
The boundary runs along 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. Modern chargers handle both; older devices with motors or clocks may run at a different speed.

Japan plug and voltage guide

Frequently asked questions

What plug type does Japan use?
Japan uses Type A plugs (two flat parallel pins). Type B sockets (two flat pins plus a round earth pin) also exist, but some sockets only take two-pin Type A plugs, so a three-pin Type B plug may need a 3-to-2 pin adapter.
What voltage is Japan?
Japan runs at 100 V everywhere. The frequency is 50 Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo, Tohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hz in western Japan (Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and further west). The boundary runs along the Fuji River in Shizuoka and Itoigawa in Niigata.
Do I need a voltage converter for Japan?
Only for devices that are not rated for 100 V. Check the label: if it says 100–240V (most phone, tablet and laptop chargers), a plug adapter is enough. A device labelled 220–240V only, such as many hair dryers, needs a step-up transformer or will run weakly or not at all.
Can I use US plugs in Japan?
US two-pin Type A plugs fit Japanese sockets, and US devices at 120 V generally work on Japan’s 100 V. Three-pin US plugs (Type B) may not fit two-slot sockets, and high-heat appliances can run a little weaker.
Do UK or Australian plugs work in Japan?
No. UK plugs (Type G) and Australian plugs (Type I) do not fit Japanese sockets, so you need a plug adapter. Both countries use 230 V, so only devices labelled 100–240V work in Japan without a transformer.
Sources · 4 official pages · checked September 24, 2026
  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

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