Can I use my United Kingdom plug in Japan?

A straight answer for United Kingdom devices on a Japan trip — plugs, voltage and frequency compared.

Adapter and a voltage check

Japan uses Type A and Type B sockets at 100 V / 50 Hz, so your Type G, Type D and Type M plug will not fit. You need a travel adapter, and any device that is not marked 100–240 V needs a converter.

Side by side

United KingdomJapan
Plug typesType G, Type D and Type MType A and Type B
Voltage230 V100 V
Frequency50 Hz50 Hz
Socket standardBS 1363, BS 546JIS C 8303

What the sockets look like

United Kingdom

Type G socket used in United Kingdom Type D socket used in United Kingdom Type M socket used in United Kingdom

Japan

Type A socket used in Japan Type B socket used in Japan

The two countries sit in different voltage classes: United Kingdom supplies 230 V and Japan supplies 100 V. That matters more than the plug shape, because a device built for one voltage can fail immediately on the other. Anything marked 100–240 V is fine; anything that names a single voltage is not.

What to pack

What to buy for this trip

EPICKA 75 W GaN universal travel adapter
★ RecommendedUniversal travel adapter

EPICKA 75 W GaN universal travel adapter

One block that covers US, UK, EU and Australian sockets, with 75 W of USB-C charging — enough for a laptop without carrying its power brick.

  • Plugs for US / UK / EU / AU sockets
  • 3× USB-C (75 W total) + 2× USB-A
  • Universal AC socket, fused, up to 2000 W
  • About 250 g

It does not convert voltage. A 120 V appliance still gets 230 V in Europe, whatever adapter you use.

Best for: Phones, laptops, cameras, tablets and anything dual-voltage.

Check price on Amazon
TESSAN 230 W step-down voltage converter
★ RecommendedStep-down converter

TESSAN 230 W step-down voltage converter

Takes 220–240 V down to 110–120 V for single-voltage North American appliances, with three AC sockets and four USB ports so it doubles as a charging hub.

  • 230 W continuous
  • 220–240 V in, 110–120 V out
  • 3 AC outlets + 4 USB ports
  • EU / UK / AU / IT input plugs

Not for: Hairdryers, heaters and kettles, or devices under about 5 W such as electric shavers. Those need a bigger transformer or a dual-voltage device.

Best for: CPAP machines, fans, monitors, printers and small kitchen appliances.

Check price on Amazon

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Both countries in detail

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