How to charge the iPhone in Japan

Instructions showing you how to recharge your iPhone with a Japanese power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple cable and a three pinned Type A power charger and powering the iPhone using a three pin Type B power plug.

Japanese power outlet

When packing for a trip it's helpful to know in advance if you can use your devices such as mobiles or tablets when you get there. However, by not knowing which power socket to expect you may end up either bringing unnecessary adaptors or pack the wrong power adaptor, leaving you having to buy a potentially overpriced charger on arrival that might not be compatible. Varying different standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country to the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of common standards being used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPhone . These instructions were specifically written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPhone when you are travelling to Japan.This step-by-step guide will show how to charge your iPhone when going to Japan using their standard Type B or A 100 volt 60Hz plug outlets, you'll find a majority of Japanese will use Type B plugs in their power outlets. Power supplies will change regionally therefore please read the WikiConnections world power connections guide for a complete list of charging devices in different destinations. If the iPhone doesn't power up or recharges slowly when travelling to Japan from another region check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically electrical devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, check that the device is dual-voltage (normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use.

This page details the iPhone first generation, the original iPhone is missing some features which have since been introduced to more recent iPhones. Visit the Apple category page for the full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in Japan

Can the iPhone be used in Japan?

Yes, you can use the iPhone in Japan.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Japan?

If travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPhone the best international travel charger for Japan to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of wall outlets in Japan (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your iPhone is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other travel adapters this means you can recharge more than one device at once without needing to buy multiple power chargers or occupying additional wall sockets. By only needing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage whilst travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for a flexible power adapter of this nature online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Japan

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters are supplied 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 travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from America visiting Japan.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Japan. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Japan?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Japanese power outlet

Using the Apple USB 30-pin connector and a Type A USB adapter to power your iPhone with a Japanese power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPhone using the Japanese power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will usually include the cable when you buy the iPhone.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Japanese power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the two thin adjacent slots for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your phone will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Japanese power outlet

Charging the iPhone from a Japanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge your iPhone from a Japanese power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple cable with a three pin Type B USB charger.

  1. To power the iPhone using a Japanese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually included with the iPhone.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The power supply (sometimes known as a Type B power outlet [6]) is recognised by 2 slots next to each other for live and neutral blades with a hole below for the grounded pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone from 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 - the original iPhone product manual
  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..