Will Japanese electronics work at home? Buying appliances in Japan

Read INPUT before you buy. Panasonic says its hair dryers and hair irons for Japan (AC100V) cannot be used outside Japan. Tourist models are sold in Japan for use overseas and must say they cannot be used in Japan (METI).

Updated October 3, 2026

100VJapan's voltage (JNTO)

220VPanasonic tourist rice cooker

73%of 2025 visitors from the top 20 live with 220–240V

Check the label in reverse

Before you buy, read INPUT. The range has to include the voltage at home, for example 220V or 230V.

How to read INPUT on an appliance: 100-240V includes Japan's 100V, 220-240V does not. 50/60Hz works in east and west Japan.

Figure by japan-japan.com. Japan's 100V and 50/60Hz from JNTO.

Kansai Electric Power (English page)Although 200V has been implemented for some appliances, basically the voltage in Japan is 100V.Kansai Electric Power

Tourist models

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry allows products made to foreign standards to be sold in Japan to travellers. They must say they cannot be used in Japan.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry外国規格に適合している製品を国内で製造又は輸入し、外国からの旅行者や日本人海外旅行者等に限定して国内で販売する場合、当該製品は例外承認の対象となります。Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

In English: Products that meet foreign standards and are made in or imported into Japan to be sold only to travellers from abroad, Japanese travelling abroad and similar buyers can get an exception approval.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry具体的な事例としては、外国旅行者、外国人観光客のみやげ用モデル（ツーリスト・モデル）であって、外国の規格に適合しており、外国で使用することを前提に国内で販売される場合において、当該電気用品は海外向けのものであって日本国内では使用できない旨の表示をすることMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry

In English: For example, a souvenir model for foreign travellers and tourists (a tourist model) that meets foreign standards and is sold in Japan for use abroad must show that it is made for overseas use and cannot be used in Japan.

Panasonicなお、ツーリストモデルであれば、海外でもご使用いただけます。Panasonic

In English: Tourist models can be used outside Japan.

Panasonic電源 220VPanasonic

In English: Power supply: 220V (tourist model IH rice cooker).

Appliances made for Japan

Panasonic says its rice cookers, hair dryers and hair irons for Japan are not for use abroad.

Panasonic国内で販売している炊飯器は国内専用の設計になっているため、海外での使用はおすすめしていません。変圧器をご使用いただいても、マイコンの誤作動や故障の原因になる可能性があります。Panasonic

In English: Rice cookers sold in Japan are designed for Japan only, so Panasonic does not recommend using them abroad. Even with a transformer, the microcomputer may malfunction or the cooker may break.

Panasonicパナソニックのドライヤーには、「国内用」と「海外・国内両用」の機種があります。国内用のドライヤー（AC100V仕様）は、海外では使用できません。変圧器を使っても電圧が不安定となる場合があり、故障や事故につながるおそれがあります。Panasonic

In English: Panasonic dryers come in models for Japan and models for overseas and Japan. Dryers for Japan (AC100V) cannot be used outside Japan. Even with a transformer the voltage can be unstable, which may lead to a breakdown or an accident.

PanasonicAC100V対応の機種は、海外では使用できません。変圧器を使っても電圧が不安定となる場合があり、故障や事故につながるおそれがあります。Panasonic

In English: Models for AC100V cannot be used outside Japan. Even with a transformer the voltage can be unstable, which may lead to a breakdown or an accident.

Chargers bought in Japan

Nintendo's Japanese Switch adapters take 100V-240V, but the plug is Type A. Abroad they need a plug adapter, which Nintendo has not tested.

Nintendo日本国内仕様のNintendo Switch ACアダプター[HAC-002(JPN)]は、100V～240Vの電源に対応していますが、ACプラグの形状は日本国内用（Aタイプ）です。そのため、海外で使用する場合は、海外用電源変換プラグをご用意いただく必要があります。Nintendo

In English: The Japanese Nintendo Switch AC adapter [HAC-002(JPN)] works on 100V to 240V, but its plug is the Japanese shape (Type A). To use it outside Japan you need a plug adapter for overseas use.

Nintendo※海外用電源変換プラグについては、動作確認を行っておらず、動作保証もいたしかねます。Nintendo

In English: Nintendo has not tested plug adapters for overseas use and cannot guarantee that they work.

Nintendo「Nintendo Switch 2 ACアダプター」は100 V～240 Vの電源に対応していますが、ACプラグの形状は日本国内用（Aタイプ）です。そのため、海外で使用する場合は、海外用電源変換プラグをご用意いただく必要があります。Nintendo

In English: The Nintendo Switch 2 AC adapter works on 100V to 240V, but its plug is the Japanese shape (Type A). To use it outside Japan you need a plug adapter for overseas use.

Nintendo海外用電源変換プラグについては動作確認を行っておらず、安定した動作や安全性を保証するものではありません。Nintendo

In English: Nintendo has not tested plug adapters for overseas use and does not guarantee stable operation or safety.

Warranty and repairs

Japan's National Consumer Affairs Center tells tourists to check the warranty before buying.

National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (Consumer Hotline for Tourists)Additionally, some manufacturers exclude appliances used outside Japan from their warranty coverage.National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (Consumer Hotline for Tourists)Therefore, if you purchase a Japanese appliance during a visit to Japan and it breaks after you return home abroad, you may not be able to receive repair services. It is important to carefully check the warranty terms before making a purchase.National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

Frequently asked questions

Will a Japanese rice cooker work in my country?

Panasonic says rice cookers sold in Japan are designed for Japan only and does not recommend using them abroad. Its tourist model IH rice cookers run on 220V.

Do chargers bought in Japan work abroad?

If the label covers your home voltage. Nintendo's Japanese Switch adapters take 100V to 240V but have a Type A plug, so you need a plug adapter abroad.

Does the warranty cover Japanese appliances used abroad?

It depends on the maker. The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan says some manufacturers exclude appliances used outside Japan from their warranty.