What is the best power adapter for Japan and how to charge your iPad 3

Using the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a 2 pin Type A power charger to charge your iPad 3 with a Japanese power outlet and how to power the iPad 3 using a Type B USB plug.

Japanese power outlet

Different region codes and voltages can all be confusing when planning on staying in another country, especially if you've never been there before. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of standards used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what you'll need to buy in advance to charge the iPad 3 . This guide has been written to prevent visitors worrying if they'll be able to charge their iPad 3 when staying abroad.This page contains a simple guide showing you how to supply power to the iPad 3 when you are visiting Japan using the Type B or A Japanese 100 volt 60Hz power outlets, please note Type B wall outlets are typically used by most Japanese. If your iPad 3 does not power up or charges slowly when you are visiting Japan from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check the device is dual voltage (usually indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you're planning on taking a trip to destinations like Tokyo please refer to the Japan National Tourism Organization Web Site [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in Japan

Can the iPad 3 be used in Japan?

Yes, you can connect the iPad 3 to a Japanese power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in Japan?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad 3 or visiting more than one country the best international travel charger for Japan to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Japanese use two different types of power outlets (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your type of iPad 3 supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these types of travel chargers along with compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers having a four port adapter will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power chargers on your trip or using up additional power sockets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling and on hand for recharging your iPad 3 at an airport or on your flight. Due to their versatility these types of chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers with just a single power outlet.

We recommend searching for a flexible travel charger of this nature online; the travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Japan

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from America going to Japan.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Japan. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in Japan?

Powering the iPad 3 with a Japanese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable with a Type A USB adapter to power the iPad 3 from a Japanese power outlet.

  1. To power your iPad 3 using the Japanese power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPad 3.
  2. Start by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify this plug supply by the 2 thin slots next to each other where the twin pins sit.
  3. Plug in one end of the 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad 3 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with a Japanese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad 3 with a Japanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPad 3 from a Japanese power outlet with the USB 30 pin Apple cable and a Type B USB charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad 3 using the Japanese power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is usually supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Start by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Japanese power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by two slots where the live and neutral blades go with a single hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which should take roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with a Japanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization Web Site
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..