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Le Creature · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 40

Dad just reminded me of the plug/socket differences between Japan and Australia so I thought I'd do a bit of research:

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs

We use Type I plugs over here. Could anyone comfirm if Type I adaptors are available in Japan? Cheers.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

This has also been discussed at great length and in detail on Dave's if you do a search...

But to give you a brief answer, Japan uses 100V 50/60Hz A/C power. The plugs are the same (shape) as in Canada or the United States -- that is, two flat, vertical, parallel prongs. Unlike North America, there is no third prong for grounding. If you bring North American appliances with 3 prongs, you will have to do a bit of creative adaptation work...

If you are coming to Japan from Europe, Australia, NZ, S. America, S.E. Asia or anywhere that does NOT have American-style plugs, bring adaptors WITH YOU. Japanese denki shops DO NOT SELL adaptors for your appliance -- they only sell adaptors for Japanese appliances going abroad but not the other way around. Also, check your appliance to see if it switches between 100V/220V. If it does not, you will need a reducing transformer from home.

As a final note, (and as a general rule) do not bring appliances from North America that produce heat or spin a motor (curling irons, vacuum cleaners, irons, waffle makers, hand blenders, etc) as they will be underpowered in Japan. Likewise, do not export these products if they are made in Japan, or they will burn out for being overpowered in other countries.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Oh, and I clicked on your link.... According to that website, Japan uses type 'A' plugs. ONLY type 'A' plugs...... Not A and B like the site indicates. If you have a type-B appliance, you will not be able to plug it in, as the wall outlet will be type A only. You will have to either plug a type B into an extension cord that will accomodate the third prong, OR cut the third prong off.

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

For my American laptop, I needed nothing to adapt it to Japanese outlets or power. I had a 2-pronged plug, and it worked like a charm. The built-in power adaptor handled the 50/60 Hz just fine.

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Yes... BEFORE you leave though... Countries tend to only sell adapters made to fit domestic plugs going abroad, not the other way around.

FYI, I didn't even need to buy an adapter... For most laptop power cables (at least the ones sold in Japan) there are two parts to it.... There's the thin DC cord that plugs into the laptop and whose other end goes into the big black transformer box, and there's the AC cord that goes from the transformer box into a wall socket.

If the AC cord portion is removable from the transformer, all you need to do is just buy a Japanese AC cord which can be purchased in any hardware or electronics store in Japan.

If it's all one piece from end to end and there's a 3-prong (grounded) North American-style plug on it, you have one of three options.

1. Buy a 3-prong to 2-prong adaptor
2. plug it into an extension cord with the third prong protruding
3. cut off the ground prong with a pair of wire snips

Personally, I've only ever used (and needed) option 2.

FWIW, like Glenski, the laptop I brought from Canada had a 2-prong AC cord anyway.

buddhaboyjp · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 75 Location: Dai Po, Tai Wo

I was wondering if there is a way to tinker with Japanese appliances to get them working if I ship them back home (US).

I imagine it would amount to opening up the case and installing a "step up" converter of sorts.

Any ideas about that? I am sure it can be done, but I am not savy with the iron solder.

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

Le Creature, where are you flying out of? I know for a fact that the Duty Free section at Melbourne International Airport sells the converter plugs and they were cheaper than the ones I bought prior to my departure day.

Things to be wary of:

*Check the plugs/chargers of the appliances you're bringing. If they have "AC 100V-240V 50/60Hz" written on them then you're fine to bring them. All you need is the plug converter. Everything I was bringing had that. Most portable equipment has it now anyway. Shavers, chargers, laptops etc.

*Make sure the plug converters you bring fit your appliances. Don't do what I did which was buy plug converters that took the 2-prong Aus plug when one of my cables has a 3-prong Aus plug. Thankfully that was only for an extension cable for my laptop but it still annoyed me. I was so tired in the week before my departure that I didn't even think about that.