Charging your iPhone 5S from a power outlet in Japan

A step by step guide showing how to charge your iPhone 5S with a Japanese power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple connector with a two pin Type A power charger and recharging the iPhone 5S using a Type B USB charger.

Japanese power outlet

Differing combinations of voltages and region codes can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country if you've never been there before. However this isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets used in the world this article shows exactly what you'll need in advance to charge the iPhone 5S . These guidelines have been specifically written to help assist visitors wanting to power the iPhone 5S when they are going abroad.If travelling to Japan the following instructions show how to power your iPhone 5S by using their types B or A Japanese 100 volt 60Hz power outlets, Type B wall outlets are used by a majority of Japanese. If the iPhone 5S charges slowly or does not power up when you are travelling to Japan from a different country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which come from a country which use a higher voltage such as 240 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, so check the iPhone 5S is dual-voltage (you'll find these are normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you plan on staying at a destination like Tokyo or Yokohama we recommend referring to the Japan National Tourism Organization Web Site [1] for more details. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Japan

Can you use the iPhone 5S in Japan?

You can connect the iPhone 5S to a Japanese power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in Japan?

When travelling to multiple countries then the best international travel adapter for Japan to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Japanese use two different standards of plug sockets (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the included heads. If your type of iPhone 5S is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, along with compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other chargers having a 4 port charger means you can recharge more than one device at once without needing to bring individual power adapters on your trip. Only bringing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones using just a single wall outlet.

If you travel to different continents we suggest buying this type of versatile power charger online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

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 5S, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Japan and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting Japan.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Japan. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in Japan?

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Japanese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

A step by step guide showing how to charge your iPhone 5S with a Japanese power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple connector with a two pin Type A power charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 5S using a Japanese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple typically supply the USB cable with the iPhone 5S).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Japanese power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the 2 thin slots next to each other where the live and neutral blades go.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Japanese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Japanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 5S with a Japanese power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple connector with a three pin Type B power charger.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S using a Japanese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually supply the cable when you buy the iPhone 5S).
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Japanese power outlet. This power outlet (called the Type B power outlet [6]) can be recognised by 2 thin slots next to each other where the twin plug outlet blades sit with a hole below for the grounded pin.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which should take around 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with 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..