Power adapters for Japan

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PANiCnz

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#320090 5-Jul-2025 13:36

We're off on a trip later this year to Japan and have the usual phones, tablets etc we will need to charge.

Everything I've read/watched online suggests the Japanese 2 prong socket is the most common and this is reflected in the adapters commonly available for sale here in NZ. I was hoping to take an NZ power board with me and plug into a single adapter, preventing the need to carry around multiple adapters, but every power I've seen is 3 prong.

a) has anyone seen a NZ power board with a 2 prong plug? I assume these probably aren't legal.

b) alternatively, has anyone seen a travel adapter for Japan that takes a 3 prong NZ plug but only has 2 prongs on the other side?

c) any other ideas?

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#3389992 5-Jul-2025 13:42

I got a USA fast charger from Aliexpress, and it was great on my trip to Japan.

I found that the USA 2 prong was easier to search for compared to putting in Japan 2 prong, they work the same.

Gurezaemon

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#3389998 5-Jul-2025 14:19

Proper way - buy an adapter.
Simple way - get a regular plug box or 2-plug adapter, cut off the earth pin, and bend the two top pins to parallel. This method has worked for me for the last 30-odd years of moving back and forth to Japan.

Yes, I know, highly dangerous, etc., do not repeat at home. Just make sure the device can handle the voltage - most things can these days.

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PANiCnz

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#3389999 5-Jul-2025 14:20

My problem is adapters don't seem to exist...

kiwiharry

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#3390001 5-Jul-2025 14:36

I used an International Adapter like this when I went to Japan earlier this year. It has USB-A & USB-C connections on it too, which we found very handy. Cost was under $40

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Jase2985

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#3390003 5-Jul-2025 14:39

PANiCnz:

My problem is adapters don't seem to exist...

If you look harder they do, ive been using one like this for years for multiple different countries with a multi board connected to it

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/instacos-universal-travel-adapter-international-european-travel-plug-adapter-with-2-usb-c-and-2-usb-a-ports-all-in-1-worldwide-travel-power-adaptor-charger-for-usa-eu-uk-aus-adapter-y6/

CrashAndBurn

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#3390053 5-Jul-2025 14:48

I use one similar to Buy the Sansai STV-1007 Outbound Travel Adapter - NZ / AU to Japan Plug ( STV-1007 ) online - PBTech.co.nz and take a power board as well.

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farcus

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#3390054 5-Jul-2025 14:51

go to a 100 yen store when you get there and buy a multi board. 100 yen stores are everywhere

Qazzy03

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#3390055 5-Jul-2025 14:58

PANiCnz:

My problem is adapters don't seem to exist...

What do mean.... there is loads of choice: note US 2 pin = Japan 2 pin

https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005004876515378.html

https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006861088161.html

johna8

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#3390062 5-Jul-2025 16:11

Something like this if you want - handy for your smart devices with USB-C fast charge etc and a power plug too.

LENCENT Universal Travel Adapter, GaN III 65W International Charger with 2 USB Ports & 3 USB-C PD Fast Charging Adaptor, Worldwide Wall Charger for iPhone, Laptop, USA/UK/EU/AUS, (Black) : Amazon.com.au: Electronics

lxsw20

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#3390063 5-Jul-2025 16:31

US adapters work fine

Just be aware Japan is 100V so don't bother taking hair dryers or anything else that isn't multi voltage, it won't work.

wellygary

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#3391957 8-Jul-2025 15:15

lxsw20:

Just be aware Japan is 100V so don't bother taking hair dryers or anything else that isn't multi voltage, it won't work.

Japan is also is 50hz in one half and 60hz in another (just don't ask)

So just make sure the things you're running directly off you power board are happy on 60hz as well...

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KiwiSurfer

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#3391962 8-Jul-2025 15:23

PANiCnz:

We're off on a trip later this year to Japan and have the usual phones, tablets etc we will need to charge.

I think there's not much point anymore getting adapters that only adapt NZ plugs to foriegn plugs. Not worth it anymore as 100% of the devices I bring are now USB-powered.

The current adapter I use does adapt AC plugs but I just use it now as a passthrough. For example if the hotel room has a lamp plugged in to a ideal power point, I plug the lamp into the adapter and then I can plug the adapter into the wall where the lamp was plugged and presto I've killed two birds with one stone.

It comes with 2x USB-C (used for phone and laptop) and 2x USB-A (used for other things) which is used far more often than the AC adapter functionality.

Has been years since I've brought anything AC powered overseas! Can't think of any examples of non-USB devices I'd bother lugging into a baggage for a overseas trip.

autechre

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#3394772 17-Jul-2025 10:39

I had one of these Korjo adapters in Japan. Worked fine. I also took a 3 prong one, but (from memory) most of the sockets in the hotels were 2 prong

kiwiharry

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#3394818 17-Jul-2025 13:14

KiwiSurfer:

Has been years since I've brought anything AC powered overseas! Can't think of any examples of non-USB devices I'd bother lugging into a baggage for a overseas trip.

I lug electric shaver and CPAP machine on my trips

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LurkingKiwi

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#3406119 21-Aug-2025 13:51

Most chargers etc nowadays seem to be double-insulated with only 2 pins, and the travel adaptors will be safe with these.

It is unlikely that you will be carrying anything in the following category but there is something to watch out for. If your device has a real earth pin, and has earthed metal bodywork, and the power supply has noise suppression or filtering connected to the earth, when plugged into a non-earthed socket the supposedly earthed metalwork can float at half-mains-voltage, enough to give you a nasty tingle.

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