How to charge your iPad Air from a power outlet in Japan

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB adapter to recharge your iPad Air from a Japanese power outlet and powering the iPad Air using a 3 pinned Type B power plug.

Japanese power outlet

Varying different combinations of standards and sockets can all be daunting when planning to travel to a different country especially for the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to prevent travellers needing to worry if they'll be able to power the iPad Air when they're travelling abroad.This page contains a useful guide showing you exactly how to power the iPad Air when you're in Japan using their Type B or A Japanese 100 volt 60Hz wall outlets, Type B plug outlets will be typically used by a majority of Japanese. If the iPad Air slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are visiting Japan from a different region please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, check that the iPad Air is dual voltage (you'll find these are usually indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in Japan

Can you use the iPad Air in Japan?

Yes, you can use the iPad Air in Japan by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Air in Japan?

If travelling to multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Japan is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Japanese use two different types of plug sockets (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by switching the plugs. If your model of iPad Air can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these power adapters, along with additional support for certain power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel adapters having a 4 port charger will also allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters or using up additional power outlets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling and convenient for charging your iPad Air at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online. The power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous 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 via USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Japan and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Japan using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • 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 from North America using type B plugs. This offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a flexible 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 wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Japan. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Air in Japan?

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

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB adapter to recharge your iPad Air from a Japanese power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Air from the Japanese power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple should typically include the USB cable when you first purchase the iPad Air.
  2. Begin by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Japanese power outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two thin slots adjacent to each other where the twin blades slide into.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad Air will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Japanese power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Japanese power outlet

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector and a three pin Type B USB adapter to recharge your iPad Air from a Japanese power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Air from the Japanese power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will normally include the USB cable when you first purchase the iPad Air.
  2. Begin by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the power supply. You can recognise the power supply by two thin slots parallel to each other with a semicircle shaped hole below for the ground pin.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple USB cord into the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air is charging which takes around 60-240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Japanese power outlet

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 Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  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..