Plug Adapter and Power considerations
 

Quick question...

Will the UK three pin to US two pin plug adapter that I use when in the States also work in electrical sockets in Japan?

Off to Japan/Tokyo for the first time shortly.

Thanks.

Quick answer - yes!

(Just back from 1st trip to Tokyo/Japan)

That was quick!

Thanks very much. Hope you enjoyed your visit as much as I'm looking forward to mine.

All the UK->US adaptors that I've seen have two flat pins. They will work.

What sometimes trips up people from the US is the fact that American plugs for PCs and other appliances typically have a round earth pin above the two flat pins. Many Japanese plugs (especially in domestic installations and older buildings) don't have an earth. So, surprisingly, a UK->US adaptor will fit in some places where a US plug wont.

I was able to pick up a US three-prong to two-prong plug adapter in one of those arcades of little electronic shops in Akihabara on one trip, and it wasn't very expensive.

Not so quick answer - probably...

I've run into hotels which do not support a POLARIZED two flat blade plug. If the blades are equal width it'll work, but with a polarized two prong plug one blade will be slightly larger than the other & it won't fit into a non-polarized socket.

And you probably already know but Japan runs on 100VAC not 120VAC...generally the eastern part of the country like Tokyo is 50 Hz and the west like Osaka is 60 Hz. Almost all modern adapters will work great but do check the label to be sure.

Thanks to all for the info. My adapters are twin pin (same size) and I'm only looking to charge an iPhone, run a MacBook Air and possibly charge a camera battery.

I will check the power supplies in the morning...

One of my more adventurous half hours involved trying to find a 3 to 2 prong adapter at the giant Yamada store in Sendai, where virtually no one spoke enough English to figure out what I needed and my limited Japanese did not include "adapter." Eventually, they dragged a young lady over from another department who sent me up to the 6th floor (yup, big store) where I found a whole wall of different electrical adapters. Only took another 5-10 minutes of searching but I left the place victorious. That store was one of the most intimidating places I have been in Japan. :p

Voltage is generally a problem; Hz / Cycles per second can be with some items (usually motors)

Best site for plug issues: http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm (Also see their telephony pages)

What hotel are you staying at? The better ones will be able to offer you an adaptor/voltage convertor if needed.

Should be fine then.

The Park Hyatt in Shinjuku.

^

I have similar concerns. My first trip to Japan is in 9 days. I'll be staying at:

The Westin Tokyo
1-4-1 Mita, Meguro-ku,
Tokyo 153-8580 Japan

My HP Laptop has a US type 3 pin plug (the flat plug blades are not polarized). Should I get an adapter? Or an HP power supply for Japan's different electric Voltage & Hz?

You just need the adaptor.

However many top hotels have at least one place in the room, usually on the desk, where you will find several different electrical outlets. I think I just plugged in a normal USA two pronged plug the last time I stayed at the Westin Tokyo but I'm not sure. You should be able to borrow adaptors from their housekeeping department by calling the service button on the phone in your room.

The little grey plastic 3>2 prong adapter you can get at any supermarket or drug store for about a dollar works fine.

thanks for the 3>2 heads up guys, these things are like .99 cents at Wal-Mart so I will have to pick up a few before we leave. Never would have thought of that

gotta love FT for the things you would never think of

How did your power situation work out with your hotel?

The Westin had 3 prong US type adapters.

Also, I highly recommend renting a pocket Mifi. This cost me $58 for the week and I had great connection at the hotel as well as everywhere I went in Tokyo. With a 2 USB external battery (from Amazon for $18) I had plenty of power for both my phone and the Mifi.

I really enjoyed my first trip to Japan, with the exception that cigarette smoking is still permitted in many restaurants & bars.

Thanks for the reply and great info. I have rented the pocket wifi and just received a battery back up.. should all work out great.

Any hints or tips for the Westin you can share?

Yes, but I'm afraid of straying far off topic now.

Most of the employees on the lobby level floor speak some English and that is very helpful. If you sign up for the breakfast buffet, be mindful it ends at 10 AM, so don't show up at 9:55 and expect a leisurely meal. They start knocking it down at 10AM sharp.

Across the street, or via underground tunnel, is Yebisu Garden Place, a large mall with shops & restaurants. Centrally located to the pavillion is a pharmacy/sundries type shop where you can buy beverages to keep in the mini-fridge. On the other side of the pavillion is a large department store, however the hidden gem is the "food court" in the basement. I use the term food court loosely, and you will understand when you see it. There is a large selection of prepared sushi you can purchase and enjoy lunch seated in the outdoor pavillion.

A couple blocks further than the mall (and downhill) is large street through Ebisu, with many shops and restaurants. There is one I liked so much for lunch I went twice. They have a $10 (1000 yen) lunch special, but the dumplings were so good I ordered extra and paid maybe $18 for lunch. If you want the name, I can look it up.

For dinner one night we went to a place call "Sake & Fish", on a second floor walk up. The owner, Masa, speaks pretty good English and used to be a research analyst at one of Japans investment banks. Go figure.

If you keep walking through the underground tunnel you will get to Ebisu subway station, and the mall there has several floors of shops & restaurants.

Many thanks for straying!:-:

Here's the lunch place, Jin Din Rou ^^^

http://jin-din-rou.net/lunch_ebisu.html