What power plugs does Japan use?

Japan uses two-pin flat plugs with a lesser-known grounded cousin, and this guide explains which foreign plugs fit, which need an adapter, and where to look.

Published October 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan uses Type A plugs (two flat parallel pins) and, less often, Type B plugs (the same two pins plus a round grounding pin). Most outlets accept only Type A. Plugs from North America usually fit directly, while plugs from Europe, the UK, Australia and most of Asia need a plug adapter. Check your device's voltage label too.

The short answer: two flat pins

Japan's household outlets are built for Type A plugs, which have two flat, parallel pins and no grounding pin. Type B is the same plug with an added round grounding pin below the two blades. Type A sockets are the ones most travelers will meet in everyday life, so the grounded version is the less common sight.

If your home country uses Type A, such as the United States, Canada or Mexico, your plug shape matches. Travelers from much of Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, China, India and many other places use different shapes, so a plug adapter is needed. Adapters are small, light and inexpensive, and it is easiest to pack one before leaving home.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) explains that voltage in Japan is 100 V throughout the country, and that is a separate question from plug shape. A plug that fits the wall does not automatically mean a device will run well, so the plug shape and the voltage both deserve a quick check before the trip.

How to tell whether your plug will fit

Look at the prongs on your charger or appliance. Two flat blades side by side, with the same size or one slightly wider than the other, is the Type A shape that Japanese outlets expect. Round pins, as found on many European plugs, will not go into a standard Japanese outlet. Plugs with three rectangular blades in a triangle, as used in the UK, will not fit either.

Next, look at the charger itself. Phone, tablet and laptop chargers usually have a small label printed on the body, often reading something like "INPUT 100-240V 50/60Hz". That range means the charger can handle Japan's electricity, and only the plug shape needs to be solved. If a plug adapter is needed, it plugs onto your existing plug and presents flat pins to the wall.

A simple approach is to bring one adapter per device that charges at the same time, or a single adapter with a multi-outlet power strip designed to accept several devices. When choosing, pick an adapter rated for the total power draw of what will be plugged into it, and keep it clear of curtains and bedding while it is in use.

Type A versus Type B in practice

The two types look similar from the front because the flat blades are the same. The difference is the extra round pin on Type B, which provides a grounding connection. A Type A plug has no ground pin, so it does not need one, and it will fit into a socket that has a grounding hole as well as the two slots.

According to Wikipedia's article on plugs and sockets, new Japanese homes have been required to include grounded sockets for connecting domestic appliances since 2005, so a grounded outlet may appear in a kitchen, laundry area or newer apartment. Older buildings and many hotel rooms commonly have plain two-slot outlets. Travelers should not assume a grounded outlet will be present and should plan around two-pin sockets.

Another small detail is polarization. Many modern Type A plugs have one blade wider than the other so they insert only one way. The same article notes that older Japanese sockets are unpolarized and accept only unpolarized plugs, so a polarized plug with a wide blade may not seat in them without a simple adapter. A slim adapter or a cheater plug that narrows the wide blade is common for this situation.

Costs and where to buy adapters

Plug adapters are inexpensive, and prices vary by shop and style, so a specific figure is not given here. They are sold in many places before departure, at airport shops, and in Japan in electronics stores. JNTO notes that conversion plugs and transformers are easiest to find in cities, and large electronics stores and electronics districts in big cities stock many kinds.

Hotels sometimes lend adapters or chargers at the front desk. Whether that is offered depends on the property, so asking is reasonable but relying on it is not. Buying one before departure removes the risk of arriving at a hotel late in the evening with a dead phone and no way to plug in.

Multi-country adapters, which slide out different pin shapes from one body, are popular with frequent travelers because one unit covers many destinations. Check that such an adapter explicitly lists Japan or Type A, and read its stated limits for current and voltage, because adapters change only the plug shape and do nothing to the electricity itself.

Who needs to think about this most

North American travelers are the best placed, because their Type A plugs already fit Japanese outlets. They still need to check voltage on hair dryers, curling irons and other heating devices, since North American electricity is around 120 V while Japan's is 100 V. Most electronics will run, but heating devices can behave a little differently.

Travelers from Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and much of Asia should plan to bring plug adapters and check that their chargers handle a wide voltage range. Their home electricity is usually 220 to 240 V, so devices that do not accept 100 V need more than an adapter. The related question of converters is separate and depends entirely on each device label.

Families with several children charging tablets and phones, and older travelers carrying medical devices such as a CPAP machine or hearing-aid chargers, should check each item's label and the manufacturer's guidance. When a device is important to health, confirming its voltage rating with the maker before leaving is a sensible habit, and a spare charger is easy to pack.

Mix-ups that catch travelers out

The most common mistake is assuming that a plug adapter also changes voltage. Wikipedia's article on plugs and sockets states that adaptors let travelers connect devices to foreign sockets but do not change voltage or frequency. A voltage converter is a different device. Using only an adapter with a single-voltage appliance rated for a higher voltage may leave it underpowered or at risk of damage.

A second mistake is packing a grounded three-pin plug and expecting a matching socket in every room. Grounded sockets exist in Japan but are not universal, so a simple grounded-to-two-pin adapter may be needed for a laptop charger. The third mistake is leaving the adapter in a hotel room outlet when checking out, which happens more often than expected, so check the walls before leaving.

Finally, some travelers believe Japan uses the same electricity as every Type A country. Plug shape is shared with North America, but the voltage differs slightly, and the grid frequency in Japan is 50 Hz in the east and 60 Hz in the west. For most phones and laptops none of this matters, though some devices with motors or clocks can respond to frequency.

A short packing checklist for plugs

Before packing, collect every device you plan to charge and check its plug shape and its voltage label. Group the items into those that accept 100-240 V, which need only an adapter, and those that do not, which may need a converter or a different device altogether. A single small bag for chargers and adapters keeps everything together and easy to find at security checks.

If a device is bulky and rarely used, consider leaving it home. Hair dryers are the classic example, since many hotels in Japan provide one in the room or at the front desk (check with the property). Travel-size dual-voltage items also tend to be light and easy to use anywhere, which suits a trip with multiple stops.

This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. For plug and voltage questions, JNTO's Plugs and Electricity page and the label on your own equipment are the best places to confirm what applies to your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do American plugs fit Japanese outlets?

Usually yes, for the two-flat-pin Type A shape. Plugs with a third, round grounding pin (Type B) may need a simple adapter if the outlet has only two slots. Polarized plugs with one wider blade can also be a tight fit in older unpolarized outlets. Check the voltage rating on each device as well.

Are Japanese outlets the same as Chinese or Thai ones?

Not always. Japanese outlets are built for flat-pin plugs at 100 V, while some other countries use flat-pin sockets at 220 V or more. A plug fitting the wall does not guarantee that the voltage matches, so read the label on every device.

Do hotels in Japan have outlets near the bed?

Many do, although the number and position vary by hotel and room type. Some rooms have USB charging ports built in. Because layouts differ, bringing a short extension cord or multi-outlet strip rated for Japanese electricity can help when the nearest outlet is out of reach.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Tokyo Info Guide is available on Amazon.

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