Charging the iPad Mini 2 when planning a trip to Japan

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad Mini 2 from a Japanese power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type A power adapter and powering the iPad Mini 2 using a Type B USB charger.

Japanese power outlet

Varying different standards and plug types can often be daunting when planning on travelling to another country especially if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of sockets used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power your iPad Mini 2 . This page contains useful instructions demonstrating how to supply power to the iPad Mini 2 when you're travelling to Japan using the Type B or A 100 volt 60Hz plug outlets, please note Type B power outlets will be used by a majority of Japanese. If your iPad Mini 2 slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when travelling to Japan from a different country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, check that your iPad Mini 2 is dual-voltage (usually indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you intend on staying somewhere such as Tokyo or Sha Tin we also suggest reading the Japan National Tourism Organization Web Site [1] for more details. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in Japan

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in Japan?

You can use the iPad Mini 2 in Japan by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad Mini 2 in Japan?

When travelling with more than your iPad Mini 2 or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Japan is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of power outlets that Japanese use (B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your iPad Mini 2 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to power more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel chargers on your trip or using up additional power sockets. Only needing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without using up an additional wall outlet.

We recommend buying an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Japan

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini 2, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of counties with unreliable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Japan and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to Japan using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Japan. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad Mini 2 in Japan?

Charging the iPad Mini 2 from a Japanese power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type A USB charger to recharge your iPad Mini 2 with a Japanese power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini 2 from a Japanese power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Japanese power outlet. The wall outlet (technically called the Type A power outlet [3]) is identified by the 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the twin pins slide into.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which typically takes roughly one-four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 2 from a Japanese power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from a Japanese power outlet

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 3 pin Type B power adapter to recharge the iPad Mini 2 with a Japanese power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini 2 using the Japanese power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Japanese power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two slots where the twin blades slide into with a single hole below for the slightly long grounded pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the Japanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which typically takes roughly one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 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..