Rice Cooker
Works as is 0Needs an accessory 19Will not work 23
Needs an accessory: Tiger JRT-A100, Panasonic SR-X910D, Zojirushi NW-NB10 and more
Main reason: Different plug shape; you need a plug adapter (23 models)
See all 42 rice cookers ›Japanese appliances and products in the US: what works
As of 2026-10-24, we checked 174 Japanese appliance models. In the US: 72 work as is, 68 need an accessory, 25 will not work, 9 still pending.
Another 146 non-electric products (cosmetics, food, medicine and more) are checked against customs rules: 118 allowed, 28 restricted.
Power in the US
- Voltage
- 120V · Japan: 100V
- Frequency
- 60Hz · Japan: 50/60Hz
- Outlets
- Type A/B · Japan: Type A/B
US outlets accept Japanese Type A plugs.
Appliances by category
| Category | Checked | Works as is | Needs an accessory | Will not work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Cooker | 42 | 0 | 19 | 23 |
| Hair Dryer | 25 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
| Hair Iron | 22 | 17 | 4 | 0 |
| Electric Bidet Seat | 23 | 0 | 21 | 2 |
| Electric Toothbrush | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Shaver | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Game Console | 20 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
Hair Dryer
Works as is 10Needs an accessory 15Will not work 0
Works as is: ReFa RE-AX, Panasonic EH-NA9F, YA-MAN YJHC2 and more
Main reason: Most Japanese 100V appliances work in 110–120V regions, but heating appliances may run hot; a step-down transformer is recommended (15 models)
See all 25 hair dryers ›Hair Iron
Works as is 17Needs an accessory 4Will not work 0Pending 1
Works as is: Panasonic EH-HS0J, ReFa RE-BL, ReFa RE-AT and more
Main reason: Most Japanese 100V appliances work in 110–120V regions, but heating appliances may run hot; a step-down transformer is recommended (4 models)
See all 22 hair irons ›Electric Bidet Seat
Works as is 0Needs an accessory 21Will not work 2
Needs an accessory: TOTO TCF2223E, Panasonic CH951S, TOTO TCF8CKM01 and more
Main reason: Most Japanese 100V appliances work in 110–120V regions, but heating appliances may run hot; a step-down transformer is recommended (21 models)
See all 23 electric bidet seats ›Electric Toothbrush
Works as is 18Needs an accessory 2Will not work 0
Works as is: Panasonic EW-DA19, Panasonic EW-DP57, Panasonic EW-DA18 and more
Main reason: Most Japanese 100V appliances work in 110–120V regions, but heating appliances may run hot; a step-down transformer is recommended (2 models)
See all 20 electric toothbrushes ›Shaver
Works as is 22Needs an accessory 0Will not work 0
Works as is: Panasonic ES-PV6A, Braun 52-A1200s, Philips X5006 and more
See all 22 shavers ›Game Console
Works as is 5Needs an accessory 7Will not work 0Pending 8
Works as is: Nintendo HEG-S-KAAAA, Nintendo HAD-S-KABAH, Nintendo HDH-S-GAZAA and more
Main reason: Most Japanese 100V appliances work in 110–120V regions, but heating appliances may run hot; a step-down transformer is recommended (5 models)
See all 20 game consoles ›Other products by category (customs)
| Category | Checked | Allowed | Restricted | Not allowed in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics & Skincare | 29 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Vacuum Bottles & Mugs | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| OTC Medicines & Health Goods | 28 | 2 | 26 | 0 |
| Outdoor Gear | 23 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Souvenir Sweets | 16 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Matcha & Japanese Tea | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Snacks & Sweets | 16 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
Cosmetics & Skincare
Allowed 29Restricted 0Not allowed in 0
Allowed: Clé de Peau Beauté クレ・ド・ポー ボーテ ル・セラムⅡ 50mL, DECORTÉ コスメデコルテ リポソーム アドバンスト リペアセラム 50mL, SHISEIDO SHISEIDO アルティミューン パワライジング セラム 50mL and more
See all 29 cosmetics and skincare ›Vacuum Bottles & Mugs
Allowed 16Restricted 0Not allowed in 0
Allowed: Tiger MMZ-W050, Peacock AKT-50, Peacock AKZ-48 and more
See all 16 vacuum bottles and mugs ›OTC Medicines & Health Goods
Allowed 2Restricted 26Not allowed in 0
Allowed: DHC DHC ビタミンC ハードカプセル 60日分 120粒, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical 熱さまシート 大人用 16枚
Main reason: Medicines: rules on quantities and ingredients differ by country. Bring only a reasonable personal supply and keep the leaflet and original packaging. (26 models)
See all 28 OTC medicines and health goods ›Outdoor Gear
Allowed 23Restricted 0Not allowed in 0
Allowed: GENTOS EX-334D, BALMUDA L02A, Snow Peak GP-250GR and more
See all 23 outdoor gear ›Souvenir Sweets
Allowed 15Restricted 1Not allowed in 0
Allowed: ROYCE' 生チョコレート[オーレ] 20粒, ROYCE' ポテトチップチョコレート[オリジナル] 190g, Kitakaro 北海道開拓おかき 枝幸帆立 170g and more
Main reason: Contains meat, eggs, dairy, or fresh produce: most countries and regions restrict bringing these in. Check your destination's customs rules before you travel. (1 models)
See all 16 souvenir sweets ›Matcha & Japanese Tea
Allowed 18Restricted 0Not allowed in 0
Allowed: Ippodo Tea 初昔 20g箱, Itohkyuemon 宇治ほうじ茶 宝かおり 60g袋, Gion Tsujiri ほうじ茶 古都かをり 80g and more
See all 18 matcha and Japanese tea ›Snacks & Sweets
Allowed 15Restricted 1Not allowed in 0
Allowed: Morinaga ハイチュウ＜ストロベリー＞ 12粒, LOTTE コアラのマーチ＜チョコ＞ 48g, Morinaga ミルクキャラメル 12粒 and more
Main reason: Contains meat, eggs, dairy, or fresh produce: most countries and regions restrict bringing these in. Check your destination's customs rules before you travel. (1 models)
See all 16 snacks and sweets ›Things to know
- Most common issues with appliances (by number of models):
- Most Japanese 100V appliances work in 110–120V regions, but heating appliances may run hot; a step-down transformer is recommended (47)
- Different plug shape; you need a plug adapter (23)
- Voltage not compatible: the rated voltage doesn't cover the local voltage (e.g. a Japan-only 100V model on 200–240V will burn out); transformers are not recommended for high-wattage appliances (22)
- Most Japanese 100V rice cookers work in 110–120V regions; a step-down transformer with 100V output is recommended (19)
- The manufacturer says to use it only at its rated voltage; the local voltage differs, so it will not work as is (3)
- Customs rules differ and change. Check the latest rules from the customs authority in the US before you travel with food, medicine or cosmetics.
- Results follow each country's published standard voltage, frequency and outlet types; some buildings or hotels may differ. Flight restrictions (lithium batteries, aerosols and so on) do not depend on the destination; see each model page. How we check
Related questions
- Does it matter if a Japanese appliance is 50Hz or 60Hz when I take it home?
- What's the difference between overseas and domestic models of Japanese appliances? Which should I buy to take home?
- Can I take appliances with lithium batteries bought in Japan on a plane? Can power banks be checked?
- Can I check a rice cooker or toilet seat bought in Japan? What should I watch out for?