Japan is among the most technologically advanced countries on the planet. The internet infrastructure of the country is among the best there is. Similarly, internet freedom of users is also protected by laws against content censorship. The Japanese constitution is explicitly against website blockades and content filtration.
In addition to the rights governed by the constitution, internet providers in Japan also respect the privacy of their uses. Therefore, data leaks and major breaches are few and far between. Knowing all this, it is no wonder that Japanese living abroad and, in general, people who want to experience an open internet want to obtain a Japanese IP address. And that’s why they are always in search of the best VPN in Japan.
A good VPN can not only give you a Japanese IP address, but it also does so privately. That means while you are enjoying the internet with an artificial IP address, the VPN will protect your online privacy at all costs.
Now, let’s come straight to the question at hand:
What is the best VPN for Japan?
Best VPNs for Japan – Quick Summary
the following is a quick summary of the best VPNs for connecting to a server in Japan.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is ridiculously fast, has plenty of servers, unblocks all streaming servers, and keeps you safe by hiding your IP address.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is among the safest VPNs and it also packs great features like leak detection and an internet kill switch.
When it comes to features, Surfshark VPN can go toe to toe with other providers and, as a bonus, it gives you the ability to connect as many devices as you like.
This VPN service provider has, hands down, the best user-interface in the VPN landscape with decent speed and an always increasing list of security features.
A Roundup of the Best VPNs for Japan – Which One Should You Pick?
Considering the sheer number of VPN providers out there, it is one hell of a task to keep this list down to only 4. But I think if you are looking for worthy a VPN, you don’t need to look any further than these. From desirable features like data encryption and leak protection to unblocking streaming sites, the VPNs mentioned here get the job done.
1. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for Japan
The internet is littered with questions like:
- How do I change my VPN server to Japan?
- How do I find and obtain a Japanese IP address?
- Can I watch US Netflix in Japan?
These questions may look complex but they have a simple answer: You buy a VPN!
And I wholeheartedly recommend ExpressVPN for that purpose.
Why ExpressVPN? Well, there are a number of reasons for it. First up, it has 3000+ servers around the globe. Out of these, ExpressVPN has multiple servers in Japan located at 4 server locations in the country. So, you will have absolutely no problem obtaining a Japan IP address with this VPN.
Other noteworthy features of ExpressVPN include:
- Internet Kill Switch to terminate your internet connection in case the VPN disconnects
- Industry-leading AES 256-bit encryption
- Unblocks streaming sites like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video by IP address masking
- No-logs policy so your activity will not be tracked by the VPN provider
Couple these features with a Steller 24/7 live support and a 30-day Money Back guarantee, and ExpressVPN looks like a tough buck to beat.
Read more on the ExpressVPN review for detailed analysis.
2. NordVPN – Safety First
First things first:
Does NordVPN work in Japan?
Yes and superbly at that.
NordVPN’s approach to the whole Virtual Private Network business is Safety First. That means there are times when it places the security first even if it means sacrificing speed. So, you may see that NordVPN is ever so slightly slower than ExpressVPN.
Aside from this, not a lot is different actually. It too has a ridiculous number of servers coming in at 5,871 servers to be exact. The number of servers in Japan is also pretty impressive as NordVPN has 72 servers in Japan alone!
But more servers don’t mean anything if a VPN doesn’t have features to match. Fortunately, that is not the case with NordVPN as it has features like:
- Double VPN and Tor over VPN to effectively enhance the security of your internet connection
- No-logs policy
- An internet kill switch for swiftly terminating your connection if need be
- AES 256-bit encryption
- DNS and Leak protection
NordVPN also offers 24/7 assistance and a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, there is no harm in giving it a go.
Read more on the NordVPN review for detailed analysis.
3. Surfshark VPN – Connect them all
The defining feature of Surfshark VPN is not its speed or how it can unblock every major streaming site there is. In fact, its defining feature is that you can connect an unlimited number of devices at one time. Where other VPN services limit you to 5 or 6 devices at a time, Surfshark places no such restrictions.
When it comes to servers, Surfshark has 1040+ all around the globe while 2 of them are located in Japan. So, you can use it as a VPN and make it seem like you are in Japan.
Some of the features that make Surfshark among the top contenders for Best VPN for Japan are:
- Blocks ads, protect against malware and gets rids of trackers with its proprietary CleanWeb feature
- Camouflage mode so not even your ISP can tell that you are using a VPN
- No-logs policy
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Multihop to move between servers in different countries to cover-up your internet footprint
- Internet kill switch
All in all, Surfshark is a pretty awesome VPN that deserves to be on your radar.
Read more on the Surfshark review for detailed analysis.
4. CyberGhost VPN – The Best Design
Although CyberGhost comes last on our list of the best VPNs for Japan, it by no means, lacks in features. The designers of this app have done an excellent job of making the UI beginner-friendly. Even if you have no prior experience with VPNs, you will still be able to use CyberGhost without an issue.
When you consider server locations, CyberGhost is as good as any other VPN service provider. It has a total of 5,917 servers all over the world. Out of these 5917, 44 are located in Japan. As you can probably tell, if you want a Japanese IP address, you can easily get one with CyberGhost.
Now, CyberGhost may not have every feature that ExpressVPN or NordVPN may have, but the developers are constantly adding to the experience. In the meanwhile, the following industry staples are still present here:
- IP masking to hide user’s IP address
- AES 2556-bit encryption
- No-logs policy
- Internet kill switch
- Can accommodate up to 7 devices at once
CyberGhost also offers 24/7 live support and a 45-day money-back guarantee to make your purchase a safe one.
In short, CyberGhost sure packs a punch.
How to Get a Japanese IP Address?
Getting a Japanese IP address isn’t as difficult as you may think. All you need to do is:
- Open your VPN service provider
- Find a Japanese server and connect to it
That’s it. Now, for the whole internet, you may as well be sitting in Japan right now.
Conclusion
Amidst hundreds of offerings, finding a single Best VPN for Japan may seem like an impossible task, But as I’ve shown you above, if you know what you want, it can be done. In our case, that reason was to obtain a Japanese IP address.
As a piece of parting advice, whenever you feel the need to connect to a remote server, stay away from proxies and always use a credible VPN service.
Ray is a cybersecurity analyst who loves writing about privacy and security. Holding 10 years experience in an information security organization has made Ray a cybersecurity evangelist. As a writer, Ray’s portfolio includes technical articles, best discount deals, and content marketing.
