Japan Voltage and Plugs: 100V, Type A, 50Hz vs 60Hz
Japan runs on 100V AC: 50Hz in the east, 60Hz in the west, Type A plugs. Whether your charger needs an adapter, a transformer, or nothing at all.
Phone dead at check-in is a boring way to start Tokyo. Japan’s electricity rules are simple if you read the box — and JNTO already printed them.
Official: JNTO – Plugs & Electricity
FAQ short version: What is the voltage and plug type used in Japan?
The three numbers that matter
From JNTO:
| Spec | Japan |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 100V AC nationwide |
| Frequency | 50Hz eastern Japan · 60Hz western Japan (incl. Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka) |
| Plug | Type A (FAQ) |
US/Canada travelers: your flat Type A plug often fits, but Japan is 100V not 120V — most USB chargers still work; some hair tools heat weaker. UK/EU/AU travelers: you almost always need a physical adapter to Type A.
Adapter vs transformer (don’t mix them up)
- Plug adapter — changes the shape of the pins. Does not change voltage.
- Step-down transformer — changes voltage. JNTO says dual-voltage hair dryers / travel irons / shavers should work; other cases may need a step-down transformer.
Read the brick:
| Device label | What to bring |
|---|---|
| INPUT 100–240V, 50/60Hz | Type A adapter only (if your plug isn’t Type A) |
| INPUT 100–120V | Usually adapter only |
| INPUT 220–240V only | Transformer or buy/borrow a local tool — adapter alone can damage it |
| High-watt hair tools | Tiny “travel converters” often can’t handle 1000W+ — use hotel dryer or buy a Japan 100V model |
Where to buy if you forgot
JNTO: conversion plugs and transformers are easy to find in urban electronics districts — Tokyo’s Akihabara, Osaka’s Nipponbashi, and big retailers like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera.
Airport convenience stores sometimes stock basic adapters at tourist prices. Pack one 2-outlet USB charger and one Type A adapter strip and you’re done for phones/cameras.
Charging on the move
JNTO notes newer Shinkansen cars have outlets by window seats — ask when buying if you need one. Some hamburger chains and family restaurants also have outlets.
Hotel desk USB ports vary; bring your own brick. For eSIM setup nights, a charged phone beats lobby Wi-Fi theater — see eSIM setup.
FAQ
Will my US plug work without an adapter?
Often physically yes (Type A). Confirm the device accepts 100V.
Is eastern vs western frequency a problem for laptops?
Almost never for modern switch-mode chargers marked 50/60Hz. Old clocks/turntables care more.
Can I use a UK 3-pin with a cheap adapter?
Yes for dual-voltage electronics. Grounding/quality of the adapter matters for high-draw tools — don’t cheap out on heat appliances.
Hotels lend adapters?
Sometimes. Don’t bet the trip on it — buy once in Akihabara / Bic.
Travel Desk
The Standard Japan
Trip planning: seasons and crowds, getting around, airports, where to stay, and the practical steps before and after you land.
Facts are taken from primary sources (operators, venues, official tourism and government pages) and dates and prices are checked on the day of writing. Pages are revised when those sources change.
Expertise
Seasonal crowds, transport and airports, itineraries, lodging, pre-trip logistics
Have a question or a correction?
Ask us anything about Japan Voltage and Plugs: 100V, Type A, 50Hz vs 60Hz, or tell us what we got wrong. We reply within 24 to 48 hours.
The Standard Newsletter
Tokyo in your inbox. Weekly.
No algorithms curating your culture. No sponsored content disguised as journalism. Just the real Tokyo — the izakayas at 2am, the Harajuku kids who never made it to the algorithm, the ramen shop with no sign.
280+
Guides
Weekly
Editions
Free
Always
Join the underground.
One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. No sharing your data. Tokyo only.
Related Stories
Japan Drugstore Guide: What to Buy at Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Daikoku Drug
Japan's drugstores sell better eye drops, pain patches, and skincare than most pharmacies back home. Here's what to buy, which chain, and how tax-free works.
First-Time Japan Checklist: What to Do Before You Fly (2026)
First-time Japan checklist for foreigners: visas, Visit Japan Web, eSIM, Suica, cash, hotels by city, what to book ahead, and a day-one plan that won’t ruin the trip.
Haneda to Tokyo: Monorail, Keikyu, and When to Take a Car
How to get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo: Tokyo Monorail, Keikyu Airport Line, buses, and private transfers — times, connections, and first-timer tips.