Plug adapters / Japan
Do I need a plug adapter for Japan?
No. Japan uses type A and B sockets, the same shapes as the United States, so your plugs fit as they are. The supply is 100 V at 50 Hz, in the same range as the US.
What to pack for Japan
Nothing extra for the sockets. At 100 V and 50 Hz, phones, laptops and most small appliances from the US work as they do at home. The 50 Hz frequency only affects devices with motors or clocks that count mains cycles, which is rare in travel gear.
Frequency is 50 Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Sendai, Hokkaido) and 60 Hz in western Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima). IEC World Plugs page could not be fetched (2 attempts failed); values from WorldStandards.eu country page fetched 2026-10-19.
About type A and B sockets
Types A and B are the US and Canadian standard: two flat pins, with a round earth pin on type B. Being able to plug straight in is convenient, but it also hides any voltage difference, so check the number on the charger rather than the shape of the socket.
Voltage and frequency in Japan: 100 V, 50 Hz
Japan supplies 100 V, slightly below the US 120 V. US devices run normally; a heating appliance may warm a little more slowly, and that is the only effect most travellers notice. The supply is 50 Hz rather than the US 60 Hz. Electronics do not care; the only devices that do are those with a synchronous motor or a clock that counts mains cycles, which is rare in anything you would pack.
Same sockets elsewhere
Mexico, Canada, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Jamaica and Costa Rica use at least one of the same socket types as Japan, so one adapter covers a trip that includes them.
- Mexico: type A/B, 127 V
- Canada: type A/B, 120 V
- Dominican Republic: type A/B, 120 V
- Colombia: type A/B, 110 V
- Jamaica: type A/B, 110 V
- Costa Rica: type A/B, 120 V
Data for the same trip
While you are packing: how much mobile data a week in Japan needs, and which eSIM plans cover it.
Frequently asked questions
What plug type does Japan use?
Japan uses type A and B sockets. US type A and B plugs fit without an adapter.
What voltage is Japan?
Japan supplies 100 V at 50 Hz. That is in the same range as the US 120 V, so US devices work as at home.
Do I need a voltage converter for Japan?
No. The voltage in Japan is in the US range, so no converter is needed for any device.
Will my phone charger work in Japan?
Yes, provided it is marked 100–240 V, which almost every phone charger is. No adapter is needed because the sockets take US plugs.
Socket type, voltage and frequency: WorldStandards.eu country page, cross-checked 2026-10-19 against the Mains electricity by country table. The IEC retired its World Plugs guide in 2026.