EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
Works in 150+ countries with 5 USB ports
- 150+ countries
- 5 USB ports
- Built-in fuse
$17.99Amazon price as of Sep 25, 2026, 8:55 PM UTC. Details
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Travel Guide
Japan Plug Type
Japan uses types A and B at 100 V. US two-prong plugs fit, three-prong plugs often don't, and the frequency differs between Tokyo and Osaka. What to pack.
The short answer
Japan uses plug types A, B at 100 V, 50/60 Hz. US plugs fit, so most US travelers need no adapter.
Japan uses type A and B plugs, the same flat-pin shapes as the US and Canada, at 100 V. Most American chargers and small devices work in Japan without an adapter or converter.
The sockets in Japan
- A
Two flat parallel pins, no ground.
Where else type A is used - B
Two flat parallel pins plus a round ground pin.
Where else type B is used
What you need, by where you're from
"Converter" applies only to single-voltage devices. Chargers marked 100-240V need an adapter at most.
| Traveling from | Adapter | Voltage converter |
|---|---|---|
| United States or Canada | Not needed | Not needed |
| United Kingdom or Ireland | Type A | For 230 V-only devices |
| Mainland Europe | Type A | For 230 V-only devices |
| Australia or New Zealand | Type A | For 230 V-only devices |
| Japan | Not needed | Not needed |
Adapters for Japan
Two-prong US plugs fit as they are. For three-prong plugs in two-slot outlets, a three-to-two prong adapter from any hardware store is enough.
Visiting several countries?
A universal adapter covers types A, C, G and I. It won't fit Switzerland, India or South Africa well.
Worth knowing before you go
- Many Japanese outlets are two-slot only, with no ground hole. A three-prong US plug needs a small three-to-two prong adapter.
- Some older outlets have two slots of the same size, so a polarized US plug (one blade wider than the other) won't go in. The same three-to-two prong adapter usually solves this.
- Eastern Japan, including Tokyo, runs at 50 Hz; western Japan, including Osaka and Kyoto, at 60 Hz. Chargers don't care; some clocks and older motorized devices do.
- At 100 V, US hair dryers and straighteners run a little cooler than at home but work. Visitors from the UK, Europe or Australia need a type A adapter and should check their devices accept 100 V.
- Eastern Japan (including Tokyo) runs at 50 Hz and western Japan (including Osaka and Kyoto) at 60 Hz. This only matters for devices with motors or clocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plug adapter for Japan from the US?
Not for two-prong plugs. Pack a three-to-two prong adapter for three-prong plugs, because many Japanese outlets have no ground hole.
Will my US hair dryer work in Japan?
Usually, yes. Japan runs at 100 V against 120 V in the US, so a US dryer works but runs slightly weaker. No converter is needed.
What adapter do I need for Japan from the UK or Europe?
A type A adapter. Also check the device label accepts 100 V; most phone and laptop chargers (100-240V) do.
About the Author
30 countries10+ years
Taro Schenker
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Taro spent a decade in the music industry as a tour manager, crisscrossing the globe with artists and crews who demanded gear that actually worked. From overnight buses in the American Midwest to bullet trains in Japan, backstage in London to festival grounds across Europe—he's lived out of bags, cases, and carry-ons for years. That experience taught him what separates travel gear that survives the road from stuff that falls apart after one trip. Now he channels that hard-won knowledge into TravelGiftList, helping travelers find products that meet real-world demands.
Road-Tested GearPractical Travel SolutionsEditorial Strategy
Credentials
- •10 years as professional music tour manager
- •Toured extensively across North America, Europe, UK, and Japan
- •Managed logistics for international tours and festivals