Power Plugs and Sockets in Japan - Do You Need an Adapter?
If you are travelling to Japan 🇯🇵 from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, then IT DEPENDS.
In Japan, the plug types used are A and B. The voltage is 100 V with a frequency of 50Hz. On the other hand, in Saudi Arabia, the plug types used are A, B, C and G. The voltage in Saudi Arabia is 127-220 V with a frequency of 60Hz.
Type A
Type B
✅ Your devices from Saudi Arabia of type A and B will be valid and will work without an adapter.
⚠️ Your devices from Saudi Arabia of type C and G will not be valid for any socket and you will need an adapter.
⚠️ In Japan they use 100 V. Be careful with the voltage difference.
What are the plugs like in Japan?
In Japan, the predominant plug types are A and B. If you are coming from Saudi Arabia, then your devices are of type A, B, C or G.
In this sense, you will have to be more careful. Depending on where you stay, you may find valid plugs for your devices or not. We recommend that you always buy an adapter to avoid any worries.
In Japan, the eastern region (including Tokyo, Kawasaki, Sapporo, Yokohama, and Sendai) operates at 50 Hz, while the western part (covering Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, Hiroshima) uses 60 Hz. Older homes often have outlets without polarized plugs (both prongs of the same width), and many homes lack a ground connection. All outlets can be fitted into US-style wall boxes.
Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to Japan?
It is important to know that in Japan the electrical voltage is 100 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. In Saudi Arabia, the electrical voltage is 127-220 V and the frequency is 60Hz.
Since Saudi Arabia uses a wide range of voltages, you will not have a problem plugging in your devices in Japan as long as it matches the voltage there, which is 100 V.
Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in Japan.
- What are the plugs like in Japan?
- Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to Japan?
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in Japan?
- Can I plug in my laptop charger in Japan?
- Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in Japan?
- How do I know if my electrical device is dual voltage?
- What happens if I connect a 220 V device to a 100 V socket without an adapter?
- What happens if I connect a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket without an adapter?
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to Japan.
Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in Japan?
If you are travelling from Saudi Arabia to Japan, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you may need an adapter in Japan to charge your iPhone or Android.
Can I plug in my laptop charger in Japan?
If you are travelling from Saudi Arabia to Japan, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Saudi Arabia and Japan have incompatible plug types, so an adapter may be necessary to charge your laptop in Japan.
Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in Japan?
You will have to be careful when using your hair dryer or hair straightener in Japan. These devices are not usually dual voltage, so you should pay attention to ensure that the voltage of the hair dryer/straightener is the same as the socket you are going to use. To be able to use these devices with peace of mind, we recommend that you purchase a voltage adapter.
How do I know if my electrical device is dual voltage?
To know if your electrical device is dual voltage, you must check the label or product specifications. If the label indicates a voltage range, such as 100~240V and a frequency range like 50~60Hz, then your device is dual voltage and can be used without any problems. If your device is not dual voltage, then you will need a voltage converter to be able to use it in sockets in Japan with a different voltage than your device.
However, remember that dual voltage only affects the voltage and frequency.Since you are travelling to Japan from Saudi Arabia and there is not full compatibility, you may still need a plug adapter.
What happens if I connect a 220 V device to a 100 V socket without an adapter?
Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect a 220 V device from Saudi Arabia to a 100 V socket in Japan without a voltage adapter. Doing this poses a great danger and the device could cause a fire. Before travelling to Japan, make sure you have a voltage adapter.
What happens if I connect a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket without an adapter?
When connecting a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket in Japan without a frequency adapter, the worst that can happen is that the device may run at a slower speed than expected. Nowadays, most devices are prepared for these small frequency differences, but in older devices, the difference may be more noticeable.
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