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Japan: plug type, voltage, driving side and emergency number
Quick travel facts for Japan (capital: Tokyo): which plug and voltage to pack for, which side of the road traffic uses, who to call in an emergency, and the calling code, currency and time zone. Data checked 2026-10-27.
Quick answers
What plug type does Japan use?
Japan uses type A and type B plugs and sockets. Type A is two flat parallel pins. Type B is two flat parallel pins plus a round earth pin. All plug types by country.
What voltage does Japan use?
Japan uses a mains supply of about 100 V at both 50 and 60 Hz. Voltage and frequency by country.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Japan?
In Japan, traffic drives on the left. Driving side by country.
What is the emergency number in Japan?
Emergency numbers in Japan: police 110; ambulance 119; fire 119. Other numbers may also work locally; we show only numbers that both of our sources list. Emergency numbers by country.
What is the calling code for Japan?
The international calling code for Japan is +81. Dial it after your international access prefix, or type + at the start on a mobile phone. Calling codes by country.
What currency does Japan use?
The official currency of Japan is the Japanese yen (JPY). Currency by country.
Do you tip in Japan?
Not generally practised. A service charge is typically included in hotel and restaurant bills, and a tip handed over loose can cause confusion. Summary of Wikipedia’s “List of tipping customs by country”; customs vary by venue. Tipping by country.
What are the official languages of Japan?
The official language of Japan is Japanese.
What time zone is Japan in?
Japan uses UTC+09:00 as its standard time. Clocks do not change for daylight saving time. Time zones by country.
Japan travel facts at a glance
| Plug types | Type A, Type B |
|---|---|
| Voltage and frequency | 100 V, 50 / 60 Hz |
| Driving side | Drives on the left (left-hand traffic) |
| Emergency numbers | Police: 110 Ambulance: 119 Fire: 119 Other numbers may also work; only numbers both sources list are shown. |
| International dialling code | +81 |
| Currency | Japanese yen (JPY, ¥) |
| Tipping | Not generally practised. A service charge is typically included in hotel and restaurant bills, and a tip handed over loose can cause confusion. |
| Official language | Japanese |
| Time zone(s) | UTC+09:00 (standard time) |
| Daylight saving | No clock changes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a travel adapter for Japan?
You need one if your devices have plugs that do not fit type A and type B sockets. A travel adapter only changes the shape of the plug; it does not change the voltage.
Do I need a voltage converter for Japan?
Most phone, laptop and camera chargers accept 100 to 240 V, so a plug adapter is usually enough: check the small print on the charger. Devices rated for 220 to 240 V only, such as many kettles and hair dryers from Europe or Asia, need a converter or should not be used.
Is this travel information official?
No. GeoKnow is an independent site. The facts come from public datasets and are shown only where at least two sources agree. Always check official government travel advice before you go.
When was this checked?
The data was checked on 2026-10-27. Plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change, so confirm important details before travelling.
Check before you travel
Data checked 2026-10-27. These facts are compiled from public datasets and are shown only where at least two independent sources agree. GeoKnow is an independent site and is not an official source: rules, plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change. Before you go, confirm anything important with your government’s travel advice, the destination’s embassy, your airline, hotel or phone provider. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
More about Japan
See the main Japan country page for the capital, population, land neighbours and outline map. Learn it, then test yourself: Capital Hunt (the capital of Japan is Tokyo), Outline, Guess the Flag, Neighbour Rush and Border Run, or browse all geography games.
Compare topics across countries: plug types, voltage and frequency, driving side, emergency numbers, calling codes, currencies, time zones and tipping.
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Sources: Plugs, voltage and frequency: Wikipedia “Mains electricity by country” and worldstandards.eu. Driving side: Wikipedia “Left- and right-hand traffic” and Wikidata. Emergency numbers: Wikipedia “List of emergency telephone numbers” and Wikidata. Calling codes: Wikipedia “List of telephone country codes”, Wikidata and REST Countries. Currency: REST Countries and Wikidata. Languages: REST Countries and Wikidata. Time zones: the IANA time zone database, cross-checked against Wikipedia or Wikidata. Tipping: Wikipedia “List of tipping customs by country” (single source, community edited).