Where to find converters....

[bdwt]

My daughter is in Nanjo, Okinawa. She needs a converter/adapter. I could send here one but would be slow and expensive. Does anyone know where she can get on where she is? or more quickly than being shipped from US???

You can email me info....bdwt@fuse.net

Thanks...Yvonne

[erbiumfiber]

Really, any large electronics store should carry what she needs. Go somewhere where there are a lot of foreigners since they are the ones with foreign electronics. She could try ordering online from a Japanese store like Yodabashi camera or Tokyu Hands (I've seen them in the latter) but I'm not sure they have online shopping and delivery. It's a lot better for her to buy one in Japan (and make sure whether she knows if the electricity is 50Hz or 60Hz and buy accordingly) so that she is sure to buy the correct transformer for her location.

She should also check her personal computer because if there is an AC/DC adapter, it can usually handle Japanese input.

[mikem]

I honestly can't imagine what you could have possibly bought in recent history in the US that would come equipped to work with Japanese power. When I moved I only had to throw out one really cheap camcorder battery charger that was hard wired to 120/60hz.

Also realize there are some things you just don't use convertors on. Hair dryers come to mind ...

[japanat]

You really only need converters for appliances with timing issues (a clock, tape player, CD player, etc). Since Japan's 100v is so close to US 110v, hair driers, curling irons, etc have no problem. And in Okinawa? Virtually any electronics store would have adapters (there are so many American military and dependents on the main island).

And many appliances such as computers and camcorders are self-adjusting.

[mikem]

Since Japan's 100v is so close to US 110v, hair driers, curling irons, etc have no problem.

However, NEVER EVER use a convertor on things like this. (ie. When you are going from 220-240 to 100-120 or vice versa.) I've seen the fires. It's not good!