Regarding Electric Plugs in Japan - Important

[Hlitner]

Just a very useful tip about Japanese hotels.  Power in Japan is the same as in North America (110-120 volts) and uses the normal North American plug with two flat prongs.  However, and this can be critical, it is rare to find that third round ground hole in their outlets.  So. if you have a 3 prong plug (such as on many computer power cords) you will need some kind of adaptor that only has the two flat prongs.  This is easy to find online or at any big box or hardware store.

 

Hank

[BruceMuzz]

A further note on electricity in Japan.

It is ALMOST the same as in North America.

Standard Japanese voltage is 100 volts, 50 cycles in East Japan (Tokyo area) and

100 volts, 60 cycles in West Japan (Osaka area).

Your 120 volt machines from America will generally operate well with Japan's slightly lower voltage.

Larger machines from America will operate with less power and sometimes a bit slower.

Most electronics do not have a problem with the difference in hertz between East and West Japan.

But if you try to use analog electric devices - like alarm clocks - between Tokyo and Osaka, some will not keep correct time.

[Hlitner]

22 hours ago, BruceMuzz said:

A further note on electricity in Japan.

It is ALMOST the same as in North America.

Standard Japanese voltage is 100 volts, 50 cycles in East Japan (Tokyo area) and

100 volts, 60 cycles in West Japan (Osaka area).

Your 120 volt machines from America will generally operate well with Japan's slightly lower voltage.

Larger machines from America will operate with less power and sometimes a bit slower.

Most electronics do not have a problem with the difference in hertz between East and West Japan.

But if you try to use analog electric devices - like alarm clocks - between Tokyo and Osaka, some will not keep correct time.

LOL Bruce.  When I lived in Japan (over 50 years ago) we all still had electric plug-in analog clocks.  Those things generally worked by converting 60 cycles a second into the movement of the clock.  When we plugged in those electric clocks, they would only move 50 minutes per hour!  I still remember running out to the Base Exchange to buy a wind-up alarm clock.

 

Hank

[Milhouse]

Obviously better to bring your own prong outlet adapter but another tip is to check at the front desk if they can loan one out.  No guarantees of course and you may have to provide a deposit so you don't take off with it.