Skip to content

4 Best VPNs for Japan

There is little to no form of censorship or restriction on internet usage or access in most cases.

However, because there is such a technological advancement in Japan, a VPN for Japan can be essential from the growing number of threats posed against users, such as hacking, snooping, and identity theft.

Issues of internet privacy and security receive more attention than ever before. So, it is easy to see why the rise of VPN services is skyrocketing.

Most reliable VPN services offer paid services, and you can often use their 30-day money-back guarantee as a free VPN trial. Here, we have four of the best Japan VPN providers you can choose.


Is VPN legal in Japan?

Using a VPN for Japan is legal, and the internet is normally restriction-free. However, with society’s attitude shifting, censorship could change the boundaries.

While certain actions are subject to prosecution, there are no credible claims that the government conducts internet censorship. There’s no news, therefore, that VPN services or VPNs for Japan are illegal.

Torrenting, however, is illegal, and you can face high fines if you are caught doing so, with or without a VPN for Japan.


Best VPN for Japan

 

1. ExpressVPN

If you want protection and security online when you’re in Japan or are after access to Japanese TV, ExpressVPN, a VPN provider, is the best VPN service to offer this.

There are three servers in Japan, and these are fully optimized and run in RAM, so you are assured the very best speeds. 3,000 servers worldwide in 94 countries, and you can use the apps on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and many others.

For VPN server privacy, ExpressVPN boasts risk-free 256-bit AES encryption. You have a selection of protocols, including the new Lightway. You can custom your experience toward speed or security.

You also have Perfect Forward Secrecy, a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection, and zero logs policy as standard.

All the VPN service apps are easy to use, making it easy for unlimited server switching.

Besides streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and the BBC iPlayer, you can tune into services like TV Tokyo and Fuji TV and blocked websites or free services if you are outside the country.

Express VPN service is the best Japan VPN as it doesn’t weaken in any area, and even the 24/7 customer support is best in class.

Pros

  • Excellent choice of Japanese servers
  • Great for streaming in or out of Japan
  • 3 months free when signing up for a year
  • Based in the British Virgin Islands

Cons

  • Only 5 connections
  • No built-in ad-blocker

It has a large VPN server network for high-speed connections and streaming. High focus on security with military-grade encryption. It comes with 30-days money-back guarantee.


2. NordVPN

NordVPN is a decent performer yet shines when it comes to security with its 256-bit AES encryption.

You have some of the best online privacy from any Japan VPN provider, and it also offers a leading zero-logging policy.

NordVPN’s Japan servers support P2P sharing and offer great DNS leak protection to keep you hidden.

It offers decent streaming power, with its massive, high number of servers worldwide and a few servers in Japan.

For streaming, there was no sweat connecting to services outside the country like BBC iPlayer. Yet, not all VPN server locations in Japan were the most reliable when accessing restricted content inside Japan.

You can have 6 simultaneous connections when you sign up, and there is lots of app support such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and others.

Pros

  • High levels of security and privacy for online activities
  • Great server network performance
  • 6 simultaneous connections
  • Zero logging policy

Cons

  • Desktop apps can be hard to use
  • Struggles with some local streaming services in Japan

NordVPN is a good all-rounder that unblocks many streaming services. Delivers great online privacy and security, offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, and 3 months free on a 2-year plan.


3. Cyberghost

CyberGhost doesn’t store user logs or data. It has a huge network of servers. There are over 6,800 server locations in almost 94 countries, including 32 in Japan.

Accessing servers in Japan for local content isn’t an issue. You have apps for Android, Linux, macOS, Windows.

It uses AES 256-bit encryption with the OpenVPN protocol by default and high levels of authentication for online privacy features. You have a kill switch and many other security features.

Cyberghost has fast servers for streaming and does a good job of bypassing restrictions like other Japan VPNs. Unlike other Japan VPN that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, Cyberghost goes a bit further and offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

  • Huge range of global servers
  • Zero logging and good privacy policy
  • Good for beginners

Cons

  • Lack of configuration options
  • Apps are basic

Easy to use option for beginners wanting a VPN in Japan and full of privacy features. It offers lots of IP addresses on its huge network of servers.


4. Surfshark

Surfshark is an affordable yet fully functioning Japan VPN. Even though Surfshark has a smaller network than some, it delivers great speeds with servers located in 65 countries. It also offers some of the best features to access restricted content. (Find the Best VPN France)

You can access from outside Japan or from inside to out sites like TV Tokyo, Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, and BBC iPlayer, among others.

It retains zero logs, uses full military-grade encryption, a kill switch, unlimited Japan VPN server switching, and a static Japanese IP if you wish to use it.

Surfshark is highly affordable and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You also have unlimited simultaneous connections on Mac, iOS, Android, Windows, and routers. Live chat customer support 24/7.

Pros

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 13 servers in Japan – with a static Japanese IP address
  • Fast servers for downloads and streaming blocked content
  • High levels of online security features

Cons

  • Basic design
  • Small global network of servers compared to some

Surfshark is affordable and offers lots of risk-free online security. It is a great way to have an easy-to-use Japanese IP address with a built-in ad-blocker and malware scanner.


FAQ

Q. What can I do with a Japanese VPN?

Using a Japanese VPN and Japan IP address, you can access Japanese TV and streaming services, such as the Japan Netflix catalog, if you are outside the country.

It is also possible to play on Japan-based online game servers and access other sites or services which require a Japan IP address.

If you are inside Japan, you can access your favorite content from home or access many geo-blocked streaming services. (Read What Happened To Flixtor)

Q. Does NordVPN work with Netflix Japan?

NordVPN does a good job of accessing many global Netflix platforms. However, some users claim that some servers won’t access Netflix Japan.

In testing, you can find some servers do struggle for a reliable connection to Netflix Japan, yet on the whole, it works for streaming from Netflix Japan, albeit with a struggle on occasions.

Q. Can I watch Netflix with ExpressVPN?

A VPN with high-speed connections, unlimited bandwidth, and plenty of Japanese servers is required for the smoothest Netflix streaming.

ExpressVPN excels in all departments and has the best record of unblocking Japan Netflix and more libraries than any other Japan VPN.


Finally

It doesn’t matter if you live in Japan, are traveling, or wish to access the content inside the country. Make sure never to use free VPNs. FreeVPNs are unsafe and often sell user data.

If you need a free Japanese VPN or Japanese IP address for a limited period, you can use any Japan VPN here that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

If this isn’t enough, you make the most of the 30-days and then continue with the best VPNs you have chosen.

With many offering three months on one of their plans, there is enough choice. You can test all the best VPNs risk-free. In the end, you will find the best VPN Japan has got to meet all your requirements.

nv-author-image

Streamr Go

StreamrGo is always about privacy, specifically protecting your privacy online by increasing security and better standard privacy practices.