What Plugs are Used in Japan? A Guide on Using and Shipping UK Electronics

Moving to Japan from the UK raises a lot of questions, and one of the most practical is, “What plugs are used in Japan?” Regardless of whether you’re relocating for work, for a short stay, or permanently, knowing if your UK electrical appliances will work in Japan can save you a lot of money and hassle. 

The experts at 1st Move International can ship your electrical appliances to Japan, regardless of the type of plug. We offer weekly guaranteed shipping to Japan, safe and secure palletised packing, and a team of experienced customs experts to ensure a smooth move.

In this guide, we discuss what plugs are used in Japan, how to make your UK appliances work safely, and how to ship your items.

Do the UK and Japan Have the Same Plugs?

No, the UK uses Type G plugs, and Japan uses mainly Type A and sometimes Type B plugs. UK plugs have 3 rectangular pins, but Japanese plugs are different, with Type A having two flat parallel pins, and Type B having two flat pins with a grounding pin. The voltage and frequency are also different, which means your UK items still won’t work if you use an adapter.

Feature	UK	Japan
Plug Type	Type G	Type A (main), Type B (less common)
Pin Shape	3 rectangular pins	2 flat parallel pins (Type A) or 2 flat and 1 round (Type B)
Voltage	230V	100V
Frequency	50 Hz	50 Hz (East Japan) / 60 Hz (West Japan)
Amperage	Up to 13	15

Why Does Voltage and Frequency Matter?

UK plugs are designed to hold up to 230V, but Japan’s plugs can only withstand items up to 100V, less than half of what the UK can support. This means that most UK electrical appliances won’t work properly, damaging your items and sockets over time.

The two countries also have different frequencies, with UK appliances designed to run at 50Hz and Japan using 50 Hz in the east and 60 Hz in the west. Tokyo, Yokohama and other eastern cities use 50Hz, whilst Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and other western areas use 60Hz. If you are using UK items that run at 50Hz in the west of Japan, items with motors or internal timers, like clocks and oven timers, might not function correctly.

What Items Will Work With an Adapter?

Using an adapter will make the plugs compatible, but the difference in frequency and voltage still affects how well the items will work, if at all. Items that are dual voltage, so are marked 100–240V / 50–60 Hz, will work with the correct Type G to Type A/B plug adapter.

Items that will work with an adaptor in Japan:

• Phone chargers
• Laptops and tablets
• Electric toothbrushes
• Camera battery chargers
• Kindles and e-readers
• Bluetooth speakers
• Shavers or beard trimmers

These items are typically compatible worldwide if they are marked dual-voltage. 

Will My Other Electrical Appliances Work in Japan?

For any other items that are not marked dual-voltage, you will need to use a voltage converter or get the items rewired to the Japanese electrical system. The following items typically require 230V to function at their best and safely:

• Hairdryers
• Hair tools like straighteners and curlers
• Electric kettles
• Microwaves
• Irons
• Coffee machines
• Vacuum cleaners

Generally, any items that have a heating element or a powerful motor tend to need 230V or more to work.

Should I Use a Converter or Get My Items Rewired?

Most items will need some form of modification to work in Japan, whether that’s using a voltage converter or getting your items rewired. Knowing when it’s more worthwhile to get your items rewired can save you from damaging your items, saving you money in the long run.

Using a voltage converter can be ideal for low-wattage items, but it’s not recommended to use one long-term. While they change the voltage, they don’t change the frequency of items, so any 50Hz items used in western Japan will still struggle to perform correctly. They can also overheat over time, which can affect the lifespan of your appliances. It’s safe to use a voltage converter occasionally for small, simple devices such as electric shavers or small speakers.

It’s often worthwhile shipping your large and expensive appliances to Japan and getting them rewired instead of buying brand new replacements. Let’s look at the items that are worth rewiring, using a voltage converter, or leaving behind. 

Appliance	Use with Converter?	Better to Rewire?
Phone chargers	Yes	No
Laptops / Tablets	Yes	No
Electric toothbrush	Yes (short-term)	No
Hairdryers / Straighteners	Temporarily only	Yes, especially for large or expensive models
Kettle / Toaster	No	Yes
Microwave / Oven	No	Yes
Washing machine / Tumble dryer	No	Yes
Electric shaver / Grooming tools	Yes (check label)	No
Clocks / Timers	No (if not digital)	Yes
Fans / Turntables / Motors	Depends on model	Yes
Vacuum cleaners	No	Yes

Should You Buy New Appliances in Japan?

Unless they are dual-voltage, expensive or high-end branded small appliances, they are often better off bought on arrival in Japan. Items like kettles, toasters, and microwaves won’t match Japan’s voltage, so it may be cheaper to buy new than to ship and get your items rewired.

Items that might be better to buy new:

• Microwaves – You will need a heavy-duty transformer to use your UK microwave in Japan due to the voltage mismatch.
• Toasters – UK toasters can trip circuits in Japan and will probably cost less to replace than to get rewired.
• Kettles – These will likely heat slowly or not work at all in Japan. Small items like kettles are cheap enough to replace without worrying about rewiring. 
• Rice Cookers – Rice cookers are popular in Japan and include features that UK models don’t. 
• Slow Cookers – UK slow cookers won’t perform to their best in Japan, so purchasing one is often cheaper than rewiring your UK model.
• Heaters – It’s dangerous to use UK heaters in Japanese plugs due to overheating. Depending on the cost of your heater, it’s wise to buy a replacement in Japan. 
• Inexpensive Hairdryers – Hairdryers use a lot of heat, so they are prone to voltage sensitivity. Unless you have an expensive model, you are often better off buying a new one in Japan.

Shipping UK Electrical Items to Japan

You can ship household items and personal effects to Japan from the UK duty-free if the items have been used and owned by you for at least 12 months before arriving in Japan. The items must then arrive in Japan within 6 months of your arrival, and you will need to be moving for a stay of more than one year, with a valid work/residence visa. You’ll need to fill out the necessary forms, either the form C‑5360 (for Japanese nationals) or C‑5360‑B (for non-Japanese). Rest assured, we can provide you with these forms and help you complete them.

You should hire a professional and experienced international removals company to take care of your move to Japan. At 1st Move International, we have helped UK movers relocate to Japan for over 25 years, providing expert packing, secure shipping, and full customs support. You’ll get assigned a Move Manager to guide you through the process, there to support you at every step. 

Cost of Shipping Electrical Appliances to Japan

It’s going to cost roughly £927 for a small, shared container move to Japan. If you need to ship the contents of a 3-bedroom home, then it’ll cost around £1,615 for a 20ft container move to Japan. For larger moves like 4-5 bed house moves, a 40ft container is best suited, and will cost an average of £1,908. All moves are different, so your final cost will depend on how much you’re shipping, the destination, and whether you need any extras like insurance. To get a tailored quote, let us know the details of your move when you fill out our form, and one of our moving experts will be in touch.