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Musouka · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Ashikaga, Japan

I will be teaching abroad in Japan early January. I wanted to know how the voltage works in Japan and if all my electrical appliances will work okay in Japan. I have heard that the Japanese do not use 3 pronged plug ins. Could anyone give me any advice on bringing US electronic devices over to Japan?

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

what kind of appliances? Aside from a computer or some type of specialized equipment I think it would be akin to bringing sand to Arabia.

Voltage wise you should have no problems and although the plugs are different a simple attachment can overcome this problem.

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

Also helps to know what country you are from. (I know you are from the US, but this is a general bit of advice to people.) Japan operates on 100 volts, but the issue is frequency. 50 or 60 Hz.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2225.html
http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
http://www.buytravelconverter.com/destinations/japan.htm

So, if you live where it's 50Hz and roughly 100 volts, but you come to a locale in Japan where it's 60 Hz, things might get warmer, clocks might run faster. And, vice versa.