In Japan, there are different electricity generation and transmission standards than in most other countries. This is why you should check the electrical specifications of Japan before you get on the plane. Let’s have a look at the electricity system in Japan before you pack your suitcase!
The terms below will make it easier to understand what you will need.
VOLTAGE: defined as the volts that act on an electrical device or systems
PLUG: A plug is a piece of insulating material with protruding metal rods. The rods are inserted into the socket to establish the electrical connection
ELECTRICAL FREQUENCY: this is a variable that corresponds to the wave formed by the alternating current.
In Japan, the common voltage is 100 Volts
The plugs and plugs are type A / B.
The frequency is 50/60 Hertz.
Japan is connected to a 100-volt current and uses two frequencies. Those are 50 Hz in Kansai and in the east of the country, and 60 Hz in Kanto and in the north. It originates from the fact that eastern Japan imported German power generators during the Meiji period while the west imported them from the USA. There have been voices that called for the unification of the frequency, but it has not yet been realized. So still, when they send electricity to each other, they change the frequency with transformer stations.
You can likely use your own electrical appliances without a voltage converter. This is possible as long as the voltage of the country of origin is between 110V and 127V. This is the case for the USA, Canada, and most of the countries of South America.
If in the country of origin the voltage is between 220V – 240V (EU, United Kingdom, Australia, and most countries in Asia and Africa), then you will need to use a converter or voltage transformer in Japan. To be sure, you can check the label of the electrical appliance. If ‘INPUT’ specifies: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz ‘, it means that it can be used in all countries of the world for tablet chargers, laptops, cameras, cell phones, or toothbrushes.
If the frequency of the alternating currency in Japan (50/60 Hz) differs from your country of origin, it is not recommended to use electric appliances from your country in Japan.
Plugs in Japan are Type A, with two flat plugs, which means that, depending on the country of origin, a plug adaptor may be needed. These are available at international airports such as Narita, Bic Camera, or Yamada Denki stores, at Akihabara stalls, or at 100 yen stores, at an affordable price (300-500 yen) if you didn’t bring one from home. They can also be ordered from many hotel receptions.
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