Will my hair dryer work in Japan? Voltage and dual-voltage dryers

Only if it is dual-voltage or its INPUT includes 100V. JNTO says dual-voltage hair dryers should work anywhere in Japan, and other devices need a voltage converter. Panasonic tells owners of its dual-voltage dryers to set the switch to AC100-120V in Japan.

Updated October 3, 2026

100VJapan's voltage (JNTO)

100-120Vswitch setting for Japan (Panasonic)

1,500Wtwo-socket outlet limit (NITE)

Dual-voltage or converter

What JNTO says about hair dryers

Dual-voltage dryers work on both voltage ranges. JNTO names them among the appliances that should work anywhere in Japan.

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization)Certain types of electrical appliances such as dual-voltage hair dryers, travel irons and shavers should work wherever you are in Japan. However, in other cases, a step-down transformer is required to convert the voltage.JNTO

A dryer made only for 220-240V does not include Japan's 100V. JNTO says a device like that needs a converter to change the voltage.

Dual-voltage dryers: set the switch

Panasonic tells owners of its dual-voltage dryers to set the switch to AC100-120V in Japan. They leave the factory set to AC200-240V.

Panasonic海外・国内両用の電圧切り替えタイプ（AV100-120V/200-240V対応）は、海外で使用できます。Panasonic

In English: The overseas-and-Japan type with a voltage switch (AV100-120V/200-240V, as written) can be used outside Japan.

Panasonic海外・国内両用のドライヤーには、使用する場所に合わせて電圧が切り替えできる電圧切替スイッチがあります。スイッチは、鍵の頭などで、簡単に切り替えられます。変圧器は不要です。日本ではAC100-120 Vに合わせてお使いください。なお、商品お買い上げ時はAC200-240 Vに設定されています。Panasonic

In English: Overseas-and-Japan dryers have a voltage switch you set for where you use them. You can turn it with something like the end of a key. No transformer is needed. In Japan, set it to AC100-120V. It is set to AC200-240V when you buy it.

Panasonic電圧切替スイッチを「200-240V」に合わせたまま100-120V（日本国内）のコンセントで使用すると温風温度が低くなり、風量は弱くなります。Panasonic

In English: If you use it in a 100-120V outlet (in Japan) with the switch still set to 200-240V, the air is cooler and the airflow is weaker.

Panasonic電圧切替スイッチを「100-120V」に合わせたまま「200-240V」のコンセントで使わないでください。火災ややけど・故障の原因になります。Panasonic

In English: Do not use it in a 200-240V outlet with the voltage switch still set to 100-120V. It can cause a fire, burns or a breakdown.

Switch on 200-240V in Japan? Panasonic says the air comes out cooler and weaker. Set it to the 100-120V side.

Read INPUT on the dryer

If the label shows a range that includes 100V, the dryer works in Japan.

How to read INPUT on a hair dryer: 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.

The plug

Panasonic says its dual-voltage dryers have a Type A plug, and some models come with a C plug.

Panasonicなお、プラグはAタイプです。Aプラグ以外の地域では、プラグアダプターを別途ご準備ください。Panasonic

In English: The plug is Type A. In regions that do not use A plugs, have a plug adapter ready.

Panasonic宿泊されるホテルや旅行代理店等に確認して必要なプラグアダプターをお持ちください。Cプラグを付属している機種もあります。Panasonic

In English: Check with your hotel or travel agent and bring the plug adapter you need. Some models come with a C plug.

Buying a dryer in Japan to take home

Panasonic sells dryers for Japan only and dryers for Japan and overseas. Only the second kind works abroad.

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.

Panasonic※ホテルのシェーバー用コンセントでは使用できません。他のコンセントでお使いください。Panasonic

In English: It cannot be used in hotel shaver outlets. Use another outlet.

Japanese appliances to take home

Safety

Two warnings from Japanese public bodies: a damaged cord, and the 1500W limit of a two-socket outlet.

National Consumer Affairs Center of Japanコードが損傷しているヘアドライヤーを使用すると、動作の異常や、発煙、発火、火花の発生が見られましたNational Consumer Affairs Center of Japan

In English: When hair dryers with a damaged cord were used, faulty operation, smoke, fire and sparks were seen.

NITE (National Institute of Technology and Evaluation)一般住宅の壁に設置してあるコンセントは二口のものが一般的ですが、その場合、二口の合計で1500Wが接続可能な最大消費電力となっています。NITE

In English: Wall outlets in homes are commonly two-socket outlets. In that case, up to 1500W in total can be connected to the two sockets.

Hair dryers in your bags

Whether a hair dryer can go in carry-on or checked bags is on our carry-on page.

Hair dryerCarry-on and checked bags

Frequently asked questions