We are planning on bringing a Netbook, AA battery charger, flat iron and possibly a few other appliances to Japan this fall. Are we going to need a power converter for any of these items? If so, what type?

Also, I've read that we will need an ethernet cable in order to access the web from there. Is there anything else we will need to stay powered up and get online?

Thanks!

The chargers for my netbook, camera and PDA are all 100-240 V and 50/60 Hz. They worked fine in Japan. You might need a plug adapter though. I didn't really bring any other appliances...

When the hotel had LAN rather than wireless, the plug was there - all I needed to do was plug it into my laptop...

Any items that have chargers on them (laptop, cell phone, etc) already have a converter, so no converter is needed. However, you will need a plug adaptor. In my experience, hotels always have them to lend.

Items like flat irons, hairdryers (unless dual voltage)would need a converter. However, items like these often don't work well on converted voltage. You are better off using the hotel's hairdryer (for instance) or buying on there.

If you are from N. America, then you don't even need a plug adapter. Japan uses the same plug as US/Canada, and voltage is 100V, close enough to the 110V here.

Japan and N. America outlet dimensions are different.

http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm

The thing to look are the plugs and what the label on your appliances say.

The plug, however, might work because if a manufacturer does not have to use polarized plug in the U.S. They can choose to sell products in the U.S. using non polarized, ungrounded plugs. Look at your plugs. If you have two blades with (near) identical sizes without the ground (the round pin), then the plug will fit in Japanese outlets.

The other items you need to check is that the appliance can operate at 100V. You usually see 100V-230V or something like that to indicate that 100v is ok.

The final item, the frequency is more confusing. Tokyo (Eastern Japan) outlets operate at 50HZ while Kyoto (Western Japan) operates at 60HZ. There are only a few appliances that matters. The label on you equipment usually say 50/60HZ and you are ok.

If your AA charger is a dirt cheap model, it might only operate in the U.S. Chargers that come with digital cameras "usually" operates overseas.

So you are finally going to make this trip?

I would bet that your room will have a hair dryer and the hotel will loan an iron and board (if not already in your room).

Thanks so much for all the invaluable advice. I told my sister that the Fodorites always pull thru on questions you can't seem to find an answer to on Google.

mrwunrfl, yes we are finally (hopefully!) getting there this year after our aborted trip last year. Only difference is we'd already scheduled all of DH's vacation time with travel this year so DS (StatiaSis) will be going with me.