Do You Need a Travel Adapter for Japan?
Japan uses Type A and Type B sockets at 100 V, 50 / 60 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers from the US and Canada plug straight in. From the UK, Europe and Australia you need a Type A adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the UK, Europe and Australia also need a voltage converter.
Japan runs on 100 V nationwide, lower than anywhere else. The frequency is split: 50 Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Sapporo, Sendai) and 60 Hz in western Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka). Sockets are mostly ungrounded Type A; grounded Type B sockets are uncommon outside newer buildings, so a US three-pin plug may need a 3-to-2 adapter. Japanese Type A pins are the same width, so a polarised US plug (one wide blade) may not fit an older Japanese socket.
Check your own plug
Verdict by where you are travelling from
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| From | Phone, laptop or USB charger | Hair dryer or straightener | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The US | Works | Works | Nothing |
| The UK | Adapter Type A | Converter + Type A adapter | Type A adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Adapter Type A | Converter + Type A adapter | Type A adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.de) |
| Australia | Adapter Type A | Converter + Type A adapter | Type A adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Works | Works | Nothing |
Phone, laptop, USB and camera chargers are dual voltage, so they only need the right plug. Single-voltage hair dryers, straighteners and kettles need a converter unless rated for 100–127 V; electric shavers and CPAP machines vary by model. Read the INPUT line on the label. Adapter or converter?
More about sockets in Japan
1 other country or territory in Asia has exactly the same socket types (of 35 in the region). The national plug standard is JIS C 8303.
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does Japan use?
Japan uses Type A and Type B sockets. Type A: two flat parallel pins. Type B: two flat parallel pins and a round earth pin.
What is the voltage in Japan?
Japan runs on 100 V at 50 / 60 Hz. Both frequencies are in use depending on the region.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in Japan?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 100 V is fine. Chargers from the US and Canada plug straight in. From the UK, Europe and Australia you need a Type A plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for Japan?
Only for single-voltage appliances made for 220–240 V countries, such as many hair dryers, straighteners and kettles. Anything marked INPUT 100–240 V works with a plug adapter alone.
Route guides
Other countries in Asia
Same plugs and voltage as Japan
Socket types: Type A Type B · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia, plus an official national source for Japan. How this data was verified.