Do you need a Travel Adapter for Japan? (What Power Outlets are like in Japan)

[@JapanReality]

Hi folks! @lynnrathbun pointed out a huge flaw in my video (thank you). US ungrounded plugs are more than likely polarized which makes one prong bigger and slightly longer than the other. It will not fit in Japanese outlets and it would be unsafe to use it in most cases. However, I’ve seen lately that newer plugs, like type A plug chargers are standardized to be used in as many countries as possible so they usually fit.

[@nessie5584]

The most helpful and straight forward vid after combing through a couple on KZbin! Super helpful. Thank you. ☺️

[@TransitAndTeslas]

You can buy the adapters that would adapt this at Ace Hardware. They are sold for houses built in the 1900s that used to be like this all over the US as well.

[@justfor8550]

nahhh, screwdrivers, ground wires nahh, how is Japan in both the year 3000 and the year 1000?

[@paz80917]

Wow. I was not expecting the informative explanation on all of the electrical nitty gritties. Thanks.

[@hmedwards3]

The screw is actually not a Phillips. It's a JIS screw as indicated by the dot on the head.

[@Tamerax]

Literally the only video I could find that answered the question directly. Thanks!

[@gavguy982]

Super interesting video, especially the split in frequency in Japan

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

Also Philippines uses 230V at 60Hz but Japanese outlets (some are Euro + Japan and some are with US 3 pin outlets)

[@graemewilliams6150]

I think one of the reasons Japanese Outlets are not grounded is that the 100 V supply is so low. Its low risk as opposed to 240V we have in UK or Europe

[@linuxman7777]

Both Japan and the US do have 240 to the houses, but those circuits are limited to Kitchens and Laundry rooms mostly. If you see a dryer or electric stove plugged into the wall it is likely a higher voltage circuit. I have been shocked by both 120 and 240 and it was definitely much worse on the 240.

[@JapanReality]

I'd actually like to argue against you on this! Japan only has 200V which is paired down to 100V for residential use. (As a standard, exceptions do exist) Every large institution I've been to had to have transformers for any European or American made machinery.

[@thetimebeforedawn]

Thanks, a very well made and detailed video.

[@agatayuko7663]

Very informative. Thank you for making this video!

[@Connor-N-Freeman]

Thank you, very useful video. I bought my converter in japan and i couldnt exactly read the instructions on how to use the ground wire!

[@alsilverman5084]

Hi there. You video was very helpful. My whole family will be in Japan Tokyo for the first part of our first ever trip to Japan. My wife can’t bring her rollers. So she is looking to buy something (large styling brush)for Japan but of course can’t buy those are 120 volt. I noticed there are many electronics stores near the Hyatt regency. Can you tell me if any stores like that sell styling hair dryer brushes? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

[@JapanReality]

I am going to assume that you're staying at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo which is located in Shinjuku. I recommend Yodobashi Camera right next to Shinjuku station. It is hands down my favorite electronics store. The only issue with the Shinjuku Station store is that its separated into multiple buildings so it may be confusing to navigate. But, all staff are extremely helpful and in your case, if you show a picture of what you're looking for, they can help you out. Other chain electronics stores I recommend are: Bic Camera Yamada Denki Nojima Denki A lot of specialty stores also exist as well so you'll come across those eventually.

[@alsilverman5084]

@@JapanReality Thanks so very much for your reply. That will be very helpful. Yes I have pictures on my phone of what she wants. I was on google maps last night looking at the pictures of stores and your suggestions this morning look very much like what I saw. Kind of everything stores. Thanks again for your videos and your response for help. We’re coming from Southern California. Al.

[@JackBlack-ii1ip]

Don't bring electrical appliances to Japan. The voltage is different so replace with new after you arrive. The frequency difference 50/60Hz means a rotating product can run at the wrong speed. But most Japanese products cater for this.

[@Nekohonde]

I just bought a Skross World Adapter set for my trip to Japan and after realizing that the one that should fit what seems to be the US outlet actually doesn't fit to Japan!! And it made me feel stupid... Thank god I will just have to go to a Don Quijote shop to find a converter to be able to use my adapter... which is already pretty heavy...

[@DangerWrap]

People saying Japan living in the year 3000 but the electrical stuck in the 70's.

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

Same thing in the Philippines. They sold 2 pin US plug and Universal or US 3 pin or 3 Pin Aussie Chinese + Japan non polarized or Japan Euro 2 pin outlets power strips

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

Also 220V here in the Philippines. Mostly uses Japanese plugs. Mostly have Type A plug (non polarized) replacement.

[@DangerWrap]

@@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY I recommend Philippines switch to Type O as Thailand, it based on American' NEMA but more safety features for 230v.

[@user-kc1tf7zm3b]

@@DangerWrap Rubbish. The Australian / New Zealand Standard 3112 (Type I) supplying 230 volts at 50 hertz is far superior. Type I is so good that even China adopted the standard. It has to be said that if a property’s electrical sockets do not feature an earth connection, then this means the original builder was a moron. Safety must always come first. 🇦🇺 🇳🇿 🇨🇳

[@DangerWrap]

@@user-kc1tf7zm3b Have you ever seen the Type O plug and it specs yet?

[@billm9418]

Outstanding video!

[@Kiaralem]

Thanks, amazing video. Everything is well explained. Now I know what to pack ❤

[@mildlydispleased3221]

Remember Kinsento before sticking it in.

[@chuhayosorio4176]

Thank u this is very helpful.

[@BonOishii]

Hey man, what is the background music for this video? Can't get enough of it!

[@JapanReality]

It's called luv by bomull!

[@trollfaceh8r]

excellent video

[@DanmakuFriedChicken]

Exactly the video I was looking for as im traveling to Japan next month. The only thing I'll be always charging is my phone so good to know I wont need anything special to do that

[@arbitrary_username]

Is your water/central heating installation and piping grounded?

[@JapanReality]

Hi! That would depend on the house / apartment situation but if you're thinking of attaching a ground wire to it, I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you built the house, you have no idea what it's connected to.

[@arbitrary_username]

​@@JapanReality Hey, thank you for answering! I'd guess they have to be, at least with metallic pipes. But you're right. Wouldn't rely on it either, just thought about it as a workaround for situations where anything is better than nothing.

[@JackBlack-ii1ip]

What central heating?

[@fireaza]

I live in Japan, and usually just snap the ground pin off. The only place in my house that's wired for ground is the laundry room, so ground pins are basically worthless.

[@JapanReality]

Yeah I've done the same to a couple of my cables 😢

[@bichela]

Some in the US do that too. Some older US houses still have 2 pin sockets

[@JapanReality]

@@bichela That is true, however in the US with newer builds, they are all 3-prong while Japan is still stuck with 2-prong.

[@user-kc1tf7zm3b]

@@JapanReality When you are cheating the earth (ground) pin by breaking or removing it, then you are taking risks with safety which could prove fatal. The earth pin exists for a serious reason. Devices manufactured without the earth pin feature double insulation, and have been deemed by the manufacturer’s engineers that double insulation is sufficient for this application. Japanese electrical sockets and voltage are rubbish compared to what we have in Australia, as all Type I sockets are earthed and is supplied with 230 volts at 50 hertz. As a consequence, just about any device or appliance can safely be instantly connected to any socket without complication. If an electrician who is installing the wiring for a new build home in 2024 states that all sockets do not require earth, then this electrician is an out and out moron and is putting the future occupants safety in grave danger.

[@JapanReality]

@@user-kc1tf7zm3b I completely understand the concern! The amount of things that are grounded in the west but not here is crazy. I am still uncomfortable in my apartment with an ungrounded refrigerator and microwave. One argument a lot of Japanese people have is that because it's 100V, 'if you get shocked it won't kill you', but because we run at 100V, the amperage has to be high compared to 230V if we want the same power output. All 200V sockets in Japan I've seen use Nema L5-15 which are all grounded, but I don't think there's a standard on what kind of socket to use.

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

I actually have a 2 prong to 3 prong surge strip for this

[@user-kc1tf7zm3b]

If the power strip power plug which connects to the wall socket does not have the third earth (ground) pin, and there are devices which do have earth for their plug, then you are taking risks.

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

@@user-kc1tf7zm3b it’s fine for laptop chargers and phone chargers I won’t use them for ones requiring a ground

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

@@user-kc1tf7zm3b plus Apple adapters work with the grounded extension or without the grounded extension and most of our laptops use 2 prong chargers plus the ground prong for laptop charger is just to prevent leakage current

[@MegaManNeo]

Now that I know both American and Japanese power sockets, I'm happy to live in Europe.

[@JustSumGuy01]

So as an American, the plugs I have like from my Samsung phone or Iphones will work no problem plugging into Japanese outlets?

[@JapanReality]

Yes!

[@firstname5556]

1:10 ... not short circuit but ground/earth fault.. They are two different kinds of faults.

[@lynnrathbun]

Major Fail. ---you make no distinction between US polarized Type A and Japan unpolarized Type A. US ungrounded but polarized 2 prong plug will not fit in Japanese outlet

[@JapanReality]

Thank you for pointing that out! Indeed that is a major fail on my part. I’ll put a pinned comment under the video.

[@DoctorCrescentMoon]

Goes to show there's no more permanent thing than a temporary fix

[@zexianglin]

❤❤❤

[@wj11jam78]

Im trying to plug my PC into a power strip. It has a dedicated ground wire with a fork shape at the end, how do I attach that fork thing into a normal type B plug socket??? I hate the electeicity here... I come from Aus where we have fuses in every plug, 240V mains power, and every single sockets has a ground. Trying to plug things in here is just... Awful.

[@JapanReality]

Unfortunately, you can’t plug in the fork thing directly into a type B plug socket. You’d have to buy one of these adapters where you can attach the fork. www.sanwa.co.jp/product/syohin?code=TAP-AD1RN Best of luck!

[@wj11jam78]

@@JapanReality Ah, alright, that's the sort of adaptor I was looking for. Couldn't find it. Thanks!

[@mishunot]

What brand of usb travel adapter should I buy if I will use it in Japan, thanks..

[@JapanReality]

I would recommend searching on Google or Amazon 'Universal Travel Adapter'. It will have every type of plug for every country so you can use it outside of Japan too. I have one that has USB A and USB C ports as well.

[@johndoe9443]

We dont change our outlets. We just changed how you ground your appliance. Why dont they just switch over to three prong?

[@surters]

So ... those in east Japan trade with Europe and those in west Japan with USA ...

[@megacap55]

how weird is Japan, the brand of the socket national i remember having an boombox of brand national Panasonic

[@JapanReality]

There’s a bunch of different socket brands in Japan, Panasonic being one of them! If you ever find yourself here, you’ll find that many mega corporations do a lot of things from making elevators to microwaves!

[@DangerWrap]

Panasonic retired National brand in 2004.

[@kenzachow]

The thumbnail says "Why don't Japanese Outlets have a Ground Pin?" but you never answered the questions lol

[@JapanReality]

You got me on that..

[@JackBlack-ii1ip]

With only 100 volts, who needs an earth? If you have the nerve you can work on circuits live. No more an tingle at worse, but insulating footwear is a good idea, and don't stand in a bucket of water. Domestic wiring is a mess with power and lighting on the same circuit, grabbing a neutral or line from another circuit as required. This would be banned in any other advanced country. And you can't get a junction box or a pull switch. Also, you can't get more than two 20A cables into a power outlet, so looping on to another point is problematic at best. With lighting points, the cable has to be twin, but single core hard-drawn to push into the non-return terminal. Movement sensitive lights can be a good idea for someone who is always leaving the light on. Jack, the Japan Alps Brit

[@dankatapich]

You kinda lied as the washing machine body is aways ground if you just touched the ground from the adapter to the washing machine you have esentualy ground on your strip/charger/what ever you plug :D

[@BulacanUMNChannel34]

Philippines

[@davidtan2095]

UK plug is the best

[@888mannie]

Feeling nung naka-Black guapo sya kse mahaba buhok, angas! E yung nka-Blue, cool lang - Tunay na Cute kse! May disiplina maglaro

[@Buciasda33]

Always have a drill on hand, LoL.

[@leerman22]

Thanks, I hate it.