Best VPNs for Japan in 2024: Securing your digital footprint

In Japan, a staggering 92% of citizens are online, and the internet is a well-engrained part of Japanese society. While internet censorship and monitoring aren’t overly pervasive in Japan, subtle changes to government policy and within society have left people concerned about their online freedom and security. Whether you’re worried about that or you’re just trying to access your home sites and content while traveling, the best VPNs for Japan can help you out.

Primarily, a VPN encrypts all of your device’s internet traffic, preventing network admins, governments, or ISPs from seeing what you get up to online. VPNs also mask your IP address and replace it with one from the country of your choice. This can help you access content from anywhere in the world, even if it’s geo-blocked in your particular region.

But, when selecting a VPN to use for Japan, not just any provider will do. We have conducted extensive research and testing to find the best VPN services to use for content and privacy in Japan. In this article, we’ll show you not only the best VPNs to use but also how to use them. Let’s start with a quick summary:

The best VPNs to use in Japan

1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice VPN for Japan. Unblocks most streaming content at great speeds with no compromises on security and privacy. Has over 130 servers in Japan. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Japan.
2. Surfshark: A budget-friendly VPN for Japan. Security-focused provider with a no-logs policy, good speeds, no connection limits, and exceptional unblocking ability.
3. IPVanish: A safe and secure VPN to use in Japan. Torrent-friendly VPN with good speeds and strong security. A favorite among Kodi users. Allows you to connect unlimited simultaneous devices.
4. ExpressVPN: Premium VPN with secure RAM-only servers that can unblock most geo-restricted content in Japan and elsewhere with ease. Smart DNS available and has an app for routers.
5. CyberGhost: An easy-to-use VPN for Japan. Good for beginners, user-friendly apps, strong security, and decent streaming speeds. Works with most streaming platforms. Over 230 servers for accessing Japanese content.
6. PureVPN: Is easy to use and comes with all the features necessary to gain watertight online privacy. Fast speeds and a Linux app with a full GUI.
7. Private Internet Access (PIA): Boasts an extensive network of servers, top-notch privacy features, and wallet-friendly prices, making it a great choice for Japan.
8. ProtonVPN: Servers are available in over 112+ countries. Works to access Japanese platforms from abroad. Allows port forwarding and provides one-click access to the Tor network.

How we selected the top Japan VPNs

There are plenty of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service. To find the best VPNs for Japan, we tested providers in the areas outlined below. See later in the article for a full description of our testing process and a look at the data generated.

Speed: We carried out several speed tests while connected to each provider’s servers in Japan. Average speeds were converted to a score out of 10 for comparison.

Streaming access: We scored providers on the number of server locations in Japan and their compatibility with various streaming platforms.

Security and privacy: The 16 different criteria we used for calculating security and privacy scores assessed everything from the level of encryption to the protection against leaks.

Ease of use: We used 10 individual metrics to evaluate how easy each VPN service was to use. These assessed everything from the design of the apps to the ease of signing up to a subscription.

Value for money: Eight unique criteria were used to gauge whether providers offered good value for money, including the number of permitted connections and the existence (or not) of a free trial.

You can read more about our testing criteria, and the results of those tests in our methodology section below. But first, let’s take a closer look at the providers who impressed us.

Best VPNs for Japan: Comparison

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Japan.

The best VPNs for Japan

At Comparitech, we aim to bring you the most accurate and helpful VPN recommendations possible. To do this, we use every VPN extensively, subjecting them to rigorous real-world testing, and the following reviews are based on those first-hand experiences.

Here is our list of the best VPNs for Japan:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024 Works in JapanTested Dec 2024

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for Japan. It has a true zero-logs policy, as it holds no data about user sessions, traffic, or timestamps. Authorities have tried clamping down on it in the past by sending multiple requests for information, but the policy made it impossible to comply. Nord’s servers were also raided in one instance, but there was no incriminating data stored, hence thwarting attempts.

The company operates 6,000+ servers in 111+ countries, making it a sturdy choice for a wide range of web activities. 130+ of these are located in Japan itself, so finding a suitable connection isn’t an issue.

To find out what sort of speeds users might expect, we tested out the provider’s Japan servers using a virtual machine with a base connection speed of 250 Mbps. You can see the results below.

NordVPN was fast in all three tests, and had an average overall speed of 151.13 Mbps. This makes it suitable for all manner of online tasks, whether that’s streaming in 4K or placing international video calls.

The provider has servers optimized for anti-DDoS, video streaming networks, double VPN, Tor over VPN, and dedicated IP—ideal for video streaming, strong encryption, and stringent privacy. It’s also able to circumvent the Netflix VPN ban with ease, unlock content from Hulu and BBC iPlayer as well as access a variety of Japanese content, and it supports torrenting.

NordVPN servers encrypt internet traffic via the 256-bit AES protocol by default and uses 2,048-bit SSL keys. DNS leak protection is enabled. A single subscription grants access to 10 devices, with support for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

BEST VPN FOR JAPAN:NordVPN is our top choice. With a broad range of servers, including many in Japan, this is a good all-rounder option that works with Netflix and most other video streaming services. Great online privacy and security credentials. Offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Works in JapanTested Dec 2024

Surfshark is a great value VPN that offers a high-quality service. It doesn’t keep any personally identifiable information, but if you’re looking for even greater anonymity, you can pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple. It also offers AES 256-bit encryption, protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, and a kill switch, as well as a NoBorders feature that allows you to bypass country-wide internet blocking.

This service has around 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, allowing it to securely access a wide range of online services, including Netflix US, Hulu, and TV Tokyo.

Speed-wise, the provider is extremely fast. You can see the results from our tests below.

Surfshark averaged 165.94 Mbps overall, and was the fastest provider we tested. Its fast connection times are ideal for lag-free streaming, even at high resolutions, plus Surfshark allows unlimited torrenting on all of its servers. Better still, there’s no connection limit, meaning you can watch on any device you own.

Surfshark apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It can be manually configured for use with internet routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is great value and allows you to stream your favorite shows no matter where you are in the world. With fast download speeds, a strong security focus, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s an excellent choice for anyone in Japan.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

Works in JapanTested Dec 2024

IPVanish doesn’t store any user details except when an account is registered for the first time. After that, all browsing sessions and choices of servers are kept hidden. It uses 246-bit encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, SHA512 authentication, and a DHE-RSA 2,048 key exchange with perfect forward secrecy.

There’s an internet kill switch included, which means the company will temporarily block all traffic to and from your device if the connection drops unexpectedly. Servers are optimized for speed and security—there are over 2,000 of them spread across 50+ countries, including 20 in Japan.

We tested how fast these servers were over the course of a day. You can see the results in the table below.

IPVanish achieved speeds consistently above 100 Mbps, which is a great result. Its overall average of 116.02 Mbps makes it suitable for streaming, gaming, and other similarly demanding tasks.

IPVanish is capable of accessing content on Netflix US, but not Hulu, and we do not recommend it for BBC iPlayer. There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as desktop support for Windows and MacOS.

IPVanish also permits torrenting on all its servers, which is an ideal choice for Japan, given the extremely harsh torrenting laws in place (more on that at the bottom of this article). Its fast speeds and minimal downtime mean IPVanish works fantastically well with Kodi too.

The IPVanish basic subscription is great value, with a monthly price equivalent to $2.19. If you’re happy to spend a little more than that, you can opt an Advanced plan. This comes with a sandboxed secure browser and a generous 1TB of cloud storage.

SECURE EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish has a large network of servers and handles multiple connections well. Easy to use and preferred by users who need high standards of internet privacy. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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4. ExpressVPN

Works in JapanTested Dec 2024

ExpressVPN ranks highly on our list of the top VPN services for its streaming access and user-first approach. There’s a clean, simple, and minimalist design, and connecting to the 3,000+ servers spread across 105+ countries is quick and efficient. There are servers in four locations in Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka—ideal for residents of the country traveling abroad—though the company doesn’t specify how many servers are there.

We carried out speed tests to gauge how fast the its servers in Japan were. You can see the results in the chart below.

ExpressVPN achieved an average download speed of 96.85 Mbps. This is fast enough for comfortably streaming in 4K — providing that you have a decent base connection speed (our was 250 Mbps). If not, opt for one of the providers we’ve discussed above.

ExpressVPN doesn’t store any traffic logs but does retain metadata about the date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used. This isn’t an issue because your individual IP address is not stored. For users who are still feeling skittish—you can sign up anonymously by using a burner email account and paying via Bitcoin—so none of the activity will ever be traced back to you.

Military-grade encryption protocols are a robust 256-bit AES-CBC with the utilization of both HMAC authentication and perfect forward secrecy. An internet kill switch temporarily halts all web traffic if the connection drops unexpectedly. Hence, you’re getting what you pay for regarding ease of access, privacy, and excellent security standards.

ExpressVPN is one of the few VPN services out there that works to access content on Netflix with ease. It’s also compatible with Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, as well as supporting torrents with great performance.

There are apps for Android and iOS, as well as desktop support for Linux, Windows, and MacOS.

PRIVACY-FIRST VPN:ExpressVPN is a reliable option in Japan. It has RAM-only servers in several Japanese locations and a dedicated app for routers. It comes with always-on obfuscation and it’s great for streaming. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee too.

Here’s our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

Works in JapanTested Dec 2024

CyberGhost is an impressive VPN with easy-to-use apps ideal for beginners. It has a whopping 10,000+ servers spread across 100+ countries, including over 230 in Japan, so accessing local content shouldn’t be an issue.

We carried out several speed tests while connected to the provider’s servers in Japan. You can see the results in the chart below.

CyberGhost was very quick, with an average download speed of 154.26 Mbps. This was more than 35 Mbps faster than the combined average download speeds of the other tested providers. It’s a great choice if you want fast speeds for gaming or streaming in high resolution.

The provider doesn’t store any user logs or data, and since it’s based in Romania, it is subject to Romanian laws, which don’t impose data retention of any kind.

CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN protocol by default, along with 2,048-bit RSA keys and MD5 HMAC authentication. There’s also an internet kill switch included, which means web traffic will be halted if the connection drops unexpectedly.

Apps are available for Android, Linux, and iOS, as well as desktop support for Windows and macOS.

230+ JAPANESE SERVERS:CyberGhost has a vast global server network and a simple set-up ideal for beginners. Works well in Japan. Good option if you are looking for a fast, reliable connection and an easy-to-use interface. It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full review of CyberGhost.

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6. PureVPN

works in JapanTested Dec 2024

PureVPN is a budget-friendly VPN that is ideal for people in Japan who want digital privacy or want to be able to access home streaming services while on vacation. The VPN starts as low as US$1.96 per month, and in our tests, it worked to watch Netflix Japan, Hulu, Tokyo TV, TV Asahi, NHK, and many other popular Japanese services. The VPN’s reliable encryption also means you can confidently bypass blocks at work or on campus without being tracked.

PureVPN’s Japanese IPs are also useful when on vacation. You can access Japanese internet banking, Japan-specific search results on Google, and any other region-locked or censored Japanese services from abroad.

To find out how fast its servers in Japan were, we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day. You can see the results in the chart below.

PureVPN has a reputation for being fast, and it’s performance here didn’t disappoint. It averaged 141.83 Mbps, making it more than fast enough for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and making private video calls.

It has strong AES encryption and a kill switch, meaning you can use it to bypass blocks while traveling without fear of being tracked. It will also protect you against hackers every time you connect to public Wi-Fi.

The VPN is compatible across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. And the apps have all the essential security features that Japanese internet users need, including like a kill switch, AES encryption, and DNS leak prevention. Port forwarding is available if you need it for torrenting as an add-on that costs extra.

PureVPN is a great choice for streaming Japanese platforms as well as international services like Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN, and Disney+.

The biggest drawback is the slow response time of the live chat support. However, the VPN works without issues from our experience — and you can test it risk-free using its 31-day money-back guarantee.

SUPERB VALUE:PureVPN is perfect for Japanese internet users wanting privacy and accessibility on a budget. It is easy to use and comes with all the features necessary to gain watertight online privacy. It has a 31-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

Works in JapanTested Dec 2024

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a top choice when it comes to maintaining privacy in Japan. With its large RAM-only server network spread over 91 countries, you can browse and stream content while keeping your online activities under wraps.

To find out how fast PIA was, we carried out several speed tests while connected to its servers in Japan. You can see the results in the chart below.

PIA’s speeds were variable. In our first test, it achieved an admirable 139.97 Mbps. Subsequent speeds were slower. This normally means that fast servers are available — you just have to find them.

PIA is not only wallet-friendly but also offers a reliable service with strong security and privacy features. With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can share the benefits with friends and family, ensuring everyone’s online privacy is protected.

Despite being headquartered in the U.S., PIA is committed to user privacy and has a strict no-logs policy, so you can be sure your data stays private.

PIA utilizes AES encryption to secure your connection, keeping your data safe from prying eyes. Additional features like split tunneling and a kill switch give you even more control over your online privacy.

With PIA, you can unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, making it perfect for users in Japan who want to access a world of content. Need help? PIA’s 24/7 customer support is always available to assist.

Give Private Internet Access a try with its 30-day money-back guarantee, and experience a secure and private internet connection while in Japan.

EASY TO USE:Private Internet Access is user-friendly stores no logs, offers great VPN security and unblocks most streaming services. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

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8. ProtonVPN

Works in JapanTested Dec 2024

ProtonVPN was developed by the team behind Proton Mail, meaning it has a superb reputation. The VPN is based in Switzerland, a nation praised for its robust privacy laws.

As you’d expect from a respected brand, the VPN apps are packed with advanced features such as AES encryption, a kill switch, multiple protocols, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, and Tor over VPN. It also has self-run servers for added protection when you need it.

ProtonVPN’s no-logs policy has been rigorously audited, as have its apps and network infrastructure. This ensures you can completely trust the VPN.

Its Japanese servers can give you a local IP address in Tokyo while traveling abroad – or to use restricted Japanese services at work or on campus. We tested the speed of these servers over the course of a day. You can see the results in the chart below.

The provider averaged 68.26 Mbps overall, which is fine for everyday tasks provided that you have a fast base connection speed (ours was 250 Mbps). If not, choose one of the faster providers mentioned earlier.

In our tests, ProtonVPN worked to access Netflix Japan, Hulu Japan, NHK Plus, and AbemaTV. It is also compatible with services in South Korea, the UK, and the USA. In all, the provider has servers in 112+ countries.

Torrenting enthusiasts will appreciate its split tunneling and port forwarding features. Finally, this VPN has 24/7 live chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it out yourself.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is highly secure and reliable. It is a superb option for torrenting and gaining watertight online privacy. Servers are available in over 112+ countries, and it works to access Japanese platforms from abroad. 24/7 live chat support is available on its website. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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Finding the best VPNs for Japan: our methodology

There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, but they were not all created equal. This can make choosing a reliable VPN hard, and it is common for consumers to end up frustrated by a service that doesn’t fulfil their needs. To ensure this doesn’t happen to our readers, we fully evaluate each provider before recommending them. To find the best VPNs for Japan, we looked at the following areas:

Speed

There’s little point in paying for a VPN that’s too slow to use. We checked how fast providers were by carrying out several speed test while connected to their servers in Japan. Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app, which was installed on a virtual machine that had been rate-limited to 250 Mbps. This figure was chosen as it’s the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US. This helps us replicate the average users’ real-world experience.

Surfshark was the fastest provider overall. NordVPN and CyberGhost are also excellent choices if speed is important to you. Remember — a fast VPN doesn’t make your connection faster, it’s just better equipped to preserver your existing speed.

Streaming access

Whether you are in Japan or traveling abroad, you may need to access Japanese services and platforms that are region-locked. VPNs that have Japanese servers let you prevent tracking and surveillance even when using local Japanese services. With this in mind, we scored providers based on the number of server locations they had in Japan, as this is often a good reflection of the actual number of servers they have. We also scored them on the number of big-name streaming platforms they were able to access. The combination of these two scores gave us our ‘streaming access’ score. We used this to directly compare providers.

As you can see from the above chart, ExpressVPN had the best combination of server locations and compatibility with popular streaming services. NordVPN and IPVanish are the next-best options.

Security and privacy

We only recommend VPNs that are able to provide a high standard of security and privacy. We use the following criteria to weed out any that fail to do this.

Each of the above criteria was given a score, which we combined to create an overall score out of ten. We use this to more easily compare providers.

NordVPN and Surfshark are the best equipped to keep users safe online, with strong encryption and powerful obfuscation available. ProtonVPN is an excellent alternative option.

Ease of use

VPN software shouldn’t be difficult to use, and the company behind it shouldn’t be difficult to contact. These and other criteria shown in the table below help us determine whether a particular service is user-friendly.

We scored providers on each criteria, and then combined these scores to give a score out of 10 for comparison.

NordVPN and PIA had the easiest-to-use services overall. Both have well-designed apps and streamlined sign-up processes.

Value for money

Online freedom and security should be accessible on any budget, so we look for VPNs that offer great value for money. We prioritize those providers that offer deals on longer-term subscriptions, free trials, and money-back guarantees. You can see the whole range of metrics we use for evaluation in the table below.

We assigned a score to each of these metrics so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

Surfshark and then IPVanish are the best value providers — both offer unlimited simultaneous device connections and low-cost subscriptions. NordVPN and CyberGhost are also well worth considering.

How to use a VPN in Japan

Don’t worry if you’ve never used a VPN before, the process is quite simple. Just follow the steps below, and you’ll be browsing securely in no time.

Here’s how to use a VPN for Japan:

1. Sign up for a VPN. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app making sure to get the correct version for your device.
3. Connect to a server in the location of your choice. For example, if you want to access Japanese content securely, connect to a Japanese server. If you want to access US content from Japan, choose a US server.
4. Connect to the website or streaming platform you wish to access. You should now be able to access geo-restricted content and browse the internet with total freedom.
5. If you have trouble accessing the services you want, try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache and reloading the page. Alternatively, try a different server or contact your VPN’s customer support team for more help.

Free Japan VPN options

It’s possible that you’ll find a free VPN that works for you in Japan. However, we don’t recommend them because free VPNs have several drawbacks.

For example, if you want to perform data-intensive tasks such as streaming video, gaming, torrenting, or VoiP, then a free VPN is not going to meet your needs. This is because free VPN servers are often under-optimized and over-subscribed, making them slow and sluggish.

If you want to unblock content in another country, you might also be out of luck. This is because free VPNs don’t have wide server networks, so you may not find one in the location you want. Plus, they often leak user data, making them unsuitable for unblocking and leaving users frustrated.

They are also not great for privacy. Not only do some free VPN servers leak your data, but some free services even infect your device with adware. They will inject ads into your browser as a revenue stream. Another way they make money is through the collection and harvesting of user data to sell to third parties. Not every free VPN does this, but it is becoming a more common practice.

There are some free VPNs you can trust, but these are often free versions of the premium services we list above. For more information, check out our free VPN recommendations. If you want a VPN without paying, you can always take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee that many premium providers offer. You will need to pay upfront, but you can claim this back if you apply for a refund in the first 30 days.

Japanese internet freedom

Japan’s internet is ranked by Freedom House as “free” with the advocacy body noting that currently, there are no restrictions on social media apps, access to content, or clampdowns on popular bloggers. This is strengthened by Japan’s constitution, which protects all forms of speech and prohibits censorship.

But national security concerns may cause a rethink at the federal level. In 2013, lawmakers in Japan passed the “Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets”. The statutes ensconced in the act criminalize leaking and publishing national secrets regardless of intent or content. Freedom House notes that this has potential ramifications for journalists, whistleblowers, and civil society watchdogs.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee agrees that the legislation is vague and broad when it comes to defining the exact limitations of secretive matters. Individuals caught violating these parameters will be subject to high criminal penalties and lead to self-censorship by journalists and human rights defenders.

Related: A beginner’s guide to online censorship.

The laws came about after a recommendation by Japan’s communication ministry to start regulating cyberspace. The guidelines sought to rein in influential news sites, subjecting them to the same kind of regulations that bind physical newspapers and broadcast television channels. The report, titled “Final Report on a Comprehensive Legal System for Communications and Broadcasting,” stated that “there is a need for an active effort from the government…as it is difficult for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to individually make judgments regarding concrete harmfulness”.

Augmenting the atmosphere of fear is the country’s crackdown on media freedoms in the East Asian country. In 2016, Foreign Policy reported on the Japanese government’s forceful takedown of popular voices.

Three outspoken television anchors were mysteriously removed from their jobs, with the general perception that the dismissals were orchestrated by the government, although there is no independent method of verifying this claim. The country’s largest liberal newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, was also forced to be subdued.

Such developments compelled the UN to carry out a fact-finding mission in the country, during which it met with journalists, educators, and government officials. At the end of the mission, the global body declared that the “independence of press in Japan is facing serious threats”.

“Across a range of areas, I learned of deep and genuine concern that trends are moving sharply and alarmingly in the wrong direction. This is especially acute in the context of media independence,” added David Kaye, UN’s special rapporteur.

Related: 11 privacy steps every journalist should take to protect themselves and their sources.

The day after the report, Japan’s ranking in press freedom by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders slid 11 places to 72 out of 180 countries surveyed.

Foreign Policy added that Japan’s spy agency, the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, spied on this particular UN mission by tracking the movements of a local lawyer who assisted the fact-finding team. These are troubling developments for a country that has prided itself as the largest democracy in the region and may provide a snapshot of what lies ahead.

Having said that, it’s important to state that there haven’t yet been any official arrests of media personnel under this new legislation. There is, however, a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment for those found guilty of revealing state secrets.

Torrenting in Japan

Japanese citizens are subject to some of the harshest anti-torrenting laws on the planet, with violations running a huge 10 million Yen fine and up to two years in prison.

Users on sites like Reddit and Quora do suggest that downloading torrents in Japan won’t land you anywhere near the maximum penalties in most cases. But why take these risks if you’re caught? There were 27 people arrested in 2013 after being caught uploading manga, video games, anime, and music videos without the explicit permission of copyright holders, so there is precedent.

If your explicit aim while browsing the web in Japan is to download torrents, we suggest you read through our guide of the best VPNs for P2P filesharing and protect yourself thoroughly.

Using VPN in Japan: FAQs