How to charge the iPhone 5 from a power outlet in Japan

Using the Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB adapter to recharge your iPhone 5 from a Japanese power outlet and charging the iPhone 5 using a 3 pinned Type B power plug.

Japanese power outlet

Different combinations of region codes and plugs can often be confusing when planning to stay in another country, especially for the first time traveller. This useful guide shows what you'll need to charge the iPhone 5 when travelling to Japan by using the B or A type 100 volt 60Hz power outlets, you will find most Japanese will typically use the Type B plug outlets. If the iPhone 5 does not power up or charges slowly when travelling to Japan from another country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originate from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, check your iPhone 5 is a dual voltage device (normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5.

Charging the iPhone 5 in Japan

Can the iPhone 5 be used in Japan?

You can connect the iPhone 5 to a Japanese power outlet.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5 in Japan?

If travelling to multiple countries the best travel charger for Japan to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Japanese use two different types of plug sockets (B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by switching the included plugs. If your iPhone 5 supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times with one of these power chargers, along with additional compatibility with more power hungry devices. Unlike other chargers this will also allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power adapters on your trip to Japan. Because you are only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPhone 5 at the airport or on the plane. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without using up an additional power outlet.

We suggest buying this type of flexible travel adapter at an electronics retailer. The power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Japan

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 adapter for travellers originating from America visiting Japan using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs and gives the same functionality as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Japan. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5 in Japan?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Japanese power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB adapter to charge the iPhone 5 from a Japanese power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 5 using a Japanese power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will typically supply this cable when you first purchase your iPhone 5).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Japanese power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the 2 adjacent slots next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 found at the bottom of your iPhone 5.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your phone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging and takes between 1-4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Japanese power outlet

Charging the iPhone 5 from a Japanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using an Apple Lightning cable with a 3 pinned Type B power charger to power your iPhone 5 from a Japanese power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 5 using a Japanese power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally include this cable when you first purchase the iPhone 5).
  2. Plug in the Type B USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This power outlet (sometimes called a Type B power outlet [6]) can be identified by two slots parallel to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet blades go with a hole below for the longer earthed pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 Lightning connector is situated at bottom of your iPhone 5 under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 5 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5 is charging which takes around one to four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5 from a Japanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization Web Site
  2. Apple - official iPhone 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..