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Plugs in Japan: type, voltage and adapters

Everything you need to know before packing your chargers.

Tools 8 min read Updated 1 Jul 2026

Tokyo at night with skyscrapers and neon lights

Direct answer: you need a shape adapter so your European plug fits in Japan, but in most cases you do not need a voltage transformer. Modern phone, laptop and camera chargers work directly with just the adapter.

Key facts about electricity in Japan

Plug type
Type A / B
Two flat parallel pins (North American). Type B adds a third earth pin and appears in some modern buildings.
Voltage
100 V
The lowest in the world. Europe uses 220–230 V.
Frequency (East)
50 Hz
Tokyo, Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone and eastern Japan.
Frequency (West)
60 Hz
Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and western Japan.
European plugs (Type C with thin round pins, or Type F/E with round pins and side contacts) do not fit physically in Japanese sockets. You need a shape adapter that converts the round European connector into the flat American one (Type A). It does not need to be a voltage transformer, just a shape changer. Most Japanese sockets are Type A; an adapter to Type A fits both (A and B), so it is the safest option.

What works without a transformer in Japan?

The key is on the label or charger of the device: if it says INPUT: 100–240 V, it works in any country in the world with just the shape adapter. If it says only 220 V or 230 V, you also need a voltage transformer. It is one of the practical details worth sorting out before leaving; we go over them all in the guide to travelling to Japan for the first time.

Device Does it work in Japan? What you need
Phone charger (iPhone/Android)No problemJust a shape adapter (F to A)
Laptop / MacBook / iPadNo problemJust a shape adapter (F to A)
Camera / camcorderNo problemJust a shape adapter (F to A)
Wired headphones USB-C/LightningNo problemNone (no plug needed)
Hair dryer (designed for 220 V)Works poorlyVoltage transformer or use the hotel's
Hair straightener / curler (220 V only)Works poorlyVoltage transformer or one with a selector
Electric shaver (dual range 100–240 V)No problemJust a shape adapter
Electric toothbrush (Oral-B, Philips)No problemJust a shape adapter
Handheld console (Switch, Steam Deck)No problemJust a shape adapter
USB hub/multi-port chargerNo problemJust a shape adapter (if 100–240 V)
Tip: most Japanese hotels and ryokan — many of them with their own onsen — have at least one USB socket or phone charger in the room. If you travel light, just the shape adapter is enough for all the essentials.

Where to buy the adapter

You have several options, ordered by price:

  • Amazon / electronics shops (before the trip, while you are booking your flights to Japan) — 2–8 € for a universal travel adapter or a specific Type F to Type A one.
  • Daiso in Japan — the 100 ¥ shops have basic Type A adapters. Find them in shopping centres and near tourist attractions.
  • Bic Camera / Yodobashi Camera — large electronics stores in Tokyo, Osaka and other cities. Wide variety, prices a bit higher than Daiso.
  • Hotel reception — many tourist-oriented hotels lend adapters for free or sell them cheaply.
  • Narita or Haneda airports — there are convenience and electronics shops past customs. Higher price but immediate availability.
See alsoWhat to pack for JapanInternet and connectivity in JapaneSIM for Japan

How to charge your devices during the trip

The days in Japan are long and your phone, with Google Maps and the camera in heavy use, drains fast, especially if you are stringing together temples, neighbourhoods and other places to see in Japan from early morning. Knowing where and how to charge avoids running out of battery mid-afternoon:

  • On the Shinkansen. The bullet trains have Type A sockets under the window and, in the seats by the wall (those at the ends of the carriage), also accessible. In the newest models (N700S series) all seats have a power socket. Use the long journeys to charge. More on trains in the guide to transport around Japan.
  • Power bank rental (ChargeSPOT). In Japan there are power bank rental machines in konbinis, stations and shopping centres: you take a battery with an app, use it and return it at any other machine in the network. It costs a few hundred yen and saves you charging with your own plug.
  • Konbinis and cafes. Many cafes (Starbucks, Doutor) and some konbinis with a seating area have sockets. A coffee and half an hour are enough for an emergency top-up.
  • Bring your own power bank. A 10,000 mAh power bank covers a full day of heavy use. Remember: on planes, power banks and lithium batteries must always travel in carry-on luggage, never in checked baggage. Review the rest of your packing in what to bring to Japan.
See alsoTransport around JapanWhat to bring to Japan

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Frequently asked questions

What type of plugs does Japan use?

Japan mainly uses the Type A plug: two flat parallel pins, no earth, the same as the standard in the United States and Canada. In some modern buildings there are also Type B sockets (the same two flat pins plus a third earth pin). Both are physically incompatible with European Type C, E or F plugs (round pins), so travellers from Europe always need a shape adapter to Type A. Also check what else to pack for Japan.

What is the electrical voltage in Japan?

The standard voltage in Japan is 100 V, the lowest in the world and well below the 220–230 V of Europe. The frequency is 50 Hz in the east of the country (Tokyo, Nikko, Kamakura) and 60 Hz in the west (Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka).

Do I need a plug adapter for Japan if I come from Europe?

Yes, you need a shape adapter from Type C/E/F to Type A so your European plug fits the Japanese wall socket. They are very cheap (2–5 €) and can be found in electronics shops, airports or at the reception of many Japanese hotels.

Do I need a voltage transformer to use my devices in Japan?

Most modern devices (phone chargers, laptops, cameras, tablets) have universal power supplies that accept 100–240 V and do not need a transformer, just the shape adapter. Check on the label or charger whether it says "INPUT: 100–240V AC". If it says only "220V" or "230V" you need a transformer.

Does a hair dryer work in Japan?

It depends on the model. Dryers designed exclusively for 220 V will not work well with Japan's 100 V. Many hotels and ryokan offer a 100 V dryer free to use in the room; it is worth asking before bringing your own.

Where can I buy an adapter for Japan?

Type F to Type A adapters are sold in electronics shops (Media Markt, Fnac, Amazon) for 2–5 €. They are also sold in Japanese convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart), in Daiso shops (for 100 ¥) and at the reception of many tourist hotels.

Can I charge an iPhone or Android in Japan?

Yes. The official chargers from Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and virtually all phone manufacturers are universal (100–240 V). You only need the physical Type F to Type A adapter. The USB-C or Lightning cable is the same; the only thing that changes is the charger plug in the wall.

Why is electricity in Japan 100 V and not 220 V like in Europe?

Japan's electrical system was developed historically following the American standard. The difference between 50 Hz (Tokyo) and 60 Hz (Osaka) is because the first power plants in each area came from different manufacturers: German in the east (50 Hz) and American in the west (60 Hz). The country never unified the standard.

Can I bring a European power strip to Japan?

Not directly: the power strip plugs (European round pins) do not fit Japanese sockets. The solution is to connect the European power strip to a single Type F to Type A adapter, which is the most practical option if you have several devices to charge. Make sure the power strip supports 100 V.

Are there sockets on the Shinkansen to charge a phone?

Yes. The Shinkansen have Type A sockets under the window and in the seats by the wall (those at the ends of the carriage); in the most recent models (N700S series) all seats have a power socket. Use the long journeys to charge. If you run low on battery in the city, in Japan there are power bank rental machines (ChargeSPOT) in konbinis and stations. Remember that power banks must travel in carry-on luggage, never in checked baggage.