Electrical plug and outlet in Japan

The voltage in Japan is 100 volts

If you want to use some electric appliances by putting the electrical plug into the outlet, you must prepare an electric transformer and a plug which matches the outlets in Japan.

The voltage in Japan is 100 volts.

But the frequency of the power supply is 50 Hz in east Japan and 60 Hz in west Japan.

Electrical plug and outlet are the same in both areas.

The reason is that the electric power company in east Japan installed the German electric generators and the company in west Japan installed the American ones by 1890s.

The 50 Hz area, for detailes, is Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Niigata prefecture, Yamanashi prefecture and the eastern area of Fuji river in Shizuoka prefecture.

The 60 Hz area is Hokuriku, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

It is said that you can use most recent electric appliances in both areas.
But you must check the following appliances. (From the website of Tokyo Electric Power Company)

• Appliances using motor change the power : Electric fan, Juicer, Refrigerator, etc.
• Other appliances using motor can't be used : Washing machine, Drying machine, Old tape recorder
• Electric clock

But, do you have such appliance for the travel?

You can use electricity in Shinkansen train

Electrical outlets are installed in many cars of Shinkansen train.

During the travel of Shinkansen for a few hours, you can operate your PC or smartphone while charging.

There is the outlet at the foot of the wall under window.