1. Top 3 at a glance
2. Best Japan VPN overall
3. Best Japan VPN with antivirus
4. Best cheap Japan VPN
5. Best of the rest
6. How to pick a Japan VPN
7. FAQs
Whether you live in Japan or you're just visiting the Nippon islands, one of the best VPN services can be a handy tool to optimize all your devices in a couple of clicks.
A VPN for Japan encrypts all the data leaving your device to prevent intruders from spying on you. It also grants better anonymity by hiding users' real IP address, making them appear in a completely different location in no time. This also allows you to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms, for example. Likewise, you can access content restricted by your school, workplace or government firewalls.
A VPN for Japan can even improve your gaming experience, or grant better protection when torrenting. A nifty piece of software that offers plenty of great features and better functionality for a plethora of devices, our experts have been reviewing security products for over 15 years to recommend only the best services. Keep reading as I compare features and performances of my top five favorite Japan VPNs right now.
Today's top 3 best Japan VPNs:
Recent updates
We periodically review the content of our buying guide to ensure all information is up-to-date and reflects the changing VPN industry and global need for digital privacy. During the latest round of updates, we included adjustments to the overall on-page structure and layout, but the provider rankings remained the same.
The best Japan VPNs in 2024
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Keep reading to see how my top picks for Japan performed in my most recent tests, and what I liked (and disliked) about each provider.
The best Japan VPN overall
✔️ You want easy-to-use apps: ExpressVPN's apps have a fresh and modern design that's easy to navigate, even if you're totally new to the world of VPNs.
✔️ You want access to international content: thanks to a broad network of servers across 105 countries and great unlocking track record, you'll have no trouble unblocking content at home and on holiday.
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust: ExpressVPN sets the bar for security, with regular audits and a no-logs policy that ensures your information is always in safe hands.
❌ You're on a tight budget: ExpressVPN is a pricey option, and though it's stuffed with features, you might want to check out Surfshark for a more affordable alternative.
❌ You need a full security suite: ExpressVPN is a solid service that focuses on being the best VPN, but it does lack a built-in antivirus solution.
🔒 ExpressVPN is my top pick for Thailand right now due to its great care of privacy and security, vast server network and user-friendly applications. See why it claimed the #1 spot with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The best all round virtual private network is ExpressVPN, making it perfect for Japan. That's largely thanks to its superb security with enterprise-level encryption, its very own WireGuard based Lightway protocol and a ton of strong security features like its ultra-reliable kill switch. Plus, its native apps for all major devices and platforms are some of the best we have seen.
Security is also excellent with DNS content unblocking and leak protection, P2P support, Bitcoin payment options, a no logging policy and a kill switch. While privacy-wise, the provider regularly calls independent auditors to confirm its no logging policy and security claims—11 times in 2022 alone.
► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is perfect for accessing otherwise geo-blocked content, too, as it boasts 24/7 customer support and, most importantly, we managed to unblock every streaming platform we tried last time we checked. It's worth noting that the service can be a bit unreliable with some Netflix libraries at times, but it performed really strongly with the Japan catalog.
Speed-wise, despite not being the fastest VPN around still, its peak speeds improved from 560 to 750Mbps with Lightway during our last round of testing. That's still far away from NordVPN and Surfshark's staggering results, but that's more than enough for online streaming, torrenting, gaming, and more.
The only real negative is that you can only use this on eight devices at any one time. But since you can set this up on the router or even opt for its own VPN built-in router Aircove, that helps bypass that issue at home. Try it out risk-free for 30 days to take advantage of the special offer on its 1-year plan available to TechRadar readers only.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Apps are fresh and fun, no matter which device you're using | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Features are easy to find and use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A speedy provider, but slower than NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more with ease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Packed with security features and robust encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat support never disappoints | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | A pricey pick, but feature-rich | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best Japan VPN with antivirus
✔️ You want a solid all-rounder: with a long list of features and tough encryption, NordVPN is the total package—and won't break the bank.
✔️ You value connection speed: alongside Surfshark and other few providers, NordVPN placed itself at the top of my fastest VPNs list last time we checked.
✔️ You appreciate dedicated IP option: either you're a business or individual, you can enjoy the perks of a fixed IP with the security of a VPN for an extra tiny fee
❌ Simplicity is everything: Nothing wrong with the NordVPN apps, but I found the map-based interface to be tricky to use on smaller screens.
❌ You use port forwarding: it allows for optimized connections, faster downloads and improved overall torrenting performance, which Express VPN offers.
🔒 NordVPN strikes the perfect blend of functionality, performance, price, and security. Try it out for yourself risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN is the one of the most secure ways to get online thanks to its double encryption at 2048-bit. Plus, it has not one but two kill switches along with strong DNS leak protection. Bitcoin and PayPal payment options help add another layer of anonymity. This all spans a whopping 6,000+ servers spread across 59 countries giving great performance in Japan...or anywhere else for that matter.
A great addition to its all-round security coverage, its new Meshnet option allows you to connect your and other devices via encrypted NordVPN connections to create your own secure mesh network. That makes it perfect if you want to protect your workload across multiple devices—and bypass Nord's six devices limit included with one subscription. Even better as it's now free of charge for all users.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Speaking of performance, NordVPN offers one of the most reliable experiences when it comes to its speed performance with peaks of 950+Mbps with NordLynx protocol that match with the fastest VPN services out there. This is promising for those after a consistently strong connection that will hold up against just about any task including online gaming and streaming.
The special SmartPlay service helps you get around geo-restricted content for the likes of BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and so on in Japan. In fact, NordVPN is perhaps our go-to for a strong streaming VPN as well as Netflix VPN.
While I'm not a fan of its smartphone map-orientated interface, this is quite a subjective flaw. NordVPN is otherwise excellent, providing speedy live chat support if and when you're not in need of assistance. Again, you can even try it out for yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee!
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Apps look great, but can feel busy on some devices | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Most features are easy to find and use, though the map interface can be off-putting | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The quickest VPN I've tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks a wealth of content via Netflix and more | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Tough encryption, double kill switch, and transparent audits | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Live chat support is quick to respond and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Low-cost plans pack a lot of value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap Japan VPN
✔️ You are on a tight budget: Surfshark is a low-cost provider which delivers premium performances for a fraction of the price.
✔️ You have a lot of devices: thanks to a generous unlimited device allowance you can secure all of your favorite gadgets, and those of your friends and family, too.
✔️ You need an inexpensive security suite: just like NordVPN, Surfshark comes with a stacked roster of privacy-enhancing tools.
❌ You need an infallible kill switch: I was able to break the Surfshark kill switch on Windows during my testing. This probably won't happen in real life, but is still a concern.
❌ You need advanced customization options: for specific features that are not available in Surfshark, we advise looking into NordVPN.
🔒 Surfshark's blazing speeds, great unlocking power and unlimited device allowance prove that a premium VPN doesn't need to cost you a fortune. See why it's my favorite budget option with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Perhaps, the main reason to download Surfshark is its tiny price. Grab it and you'll have a VPN for Japan that costs just about the equivalent of $2 USD per month. That's one cheap VPN—and it doesn't skimp on features or overall performance for that price, either. What's more, an unlimited connection allowance allows you to cover all your household's devices with just one subscription.
There's plenty more reasons to like it, though. Its Windows, Mac, iOS and Android clients are super easy to download, install and use. It's also one of the few VPNs that gave us access to Japanese Netflix, as well as BBC iPlayer, Hulu and more. For streaming, Surfshark gets full marks all-round.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Also this time, Surfshark reached a staggering 950+Mbps with WireGuard protocol making it the #1 fastest VPN out there. However, speeds are below average when you connect through OpenVPN. This promises a stable and speedy connection through its 3,200+ servers based across 100 countries around the world, including in Tokyo, Japan.
In terms of security, Surfshark surely doesn't disappoint either. The provider is packed with many features like its own obfuscation technology to bypass VPN blocks, DNS protection, split tunnelling and even an extra protection layer with its Double VPN hop.
Its kill switch isn't always super reliable, though. We experienced some minor issues but only across its Windows apps and under extreme testing. Nothing to worry about if you use Surfshark on mobile or as a reliable Mac VPN.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A fresh, modern design that's easy on the eyes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Straightforward and intuitive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A super-fast service ideal for streaming in HD | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks in-demand services from around the world | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Come with ad and malware blocking, but kill switch has issues | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Customer support is friendly and fast, though support articles could be improved | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Budget-friendly and excellent value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best of the rest
✔️ You want an easy-to-use VPN: a clean and intuitive interface makes CyberGhost VPN an excellent choice for beginners.
✔️ You need a budget VPN: like Surfshursk, you can get CyberGhost as low as around $2 USD per month.
✔️ You want more than a month to test it: CyberGhost VPN offers the longest money-back guarantee on the market at a spectacular 45 days.
❌ You need a Disney Plus VPN: in our latest round of testing, CyberGhost VPN struggled to unblock the popular streaming service.
❌ You need in-depth support: while the customer support agents are friendly and helpful, CyberGhost's support site lacks the depth on offer with PIA, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN.
🔒 CyberGhost VPN is a popular choice for beginners with easy-to-use apps and a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee.
When it comes to server networks, Cyberghost will amaze you with over a whopping 9,200+ servers spread across 91 countries including over 100 in the Japanese capital only. It even comes complete with advert and malicious site blocking, automated HTTPS redirection and optional data compression to save you money on the move if you're exploring Japan.
Thanks to its Smart Rules panel this Japan VPN will automatically find the best servers to suit the job of what you're streaming, meaning access to BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, US Netflix, and so on will have the best geo-restriction removals. This is just one of the many advanced functionalities.
▶ Try CyberGhost VPN's 45-day money-back guarantee
It is worth noting, though, that we were less impressed by its performances this time around. Its unlocking power wasn't the best—it failed to unlock Disney Plus, but it managed to do so with US and UK Netflix—so were its top speeds. However, a solid 630Mbps when connected to the WireGuard protocol still beats the likes of ProtonVPN.
The interface might be complex at times, but it does mean lots more personalization options for those wishing to delve deeper. CyberGhost ticks all the boxes when it comes to security, too, offering all the standard protocols like OpenVPN, strong 256-AES encryption and strict no-log policy.
However, it still lacks a full security audit on its apps—at the time of writing, only a no-logging audit has been released. Still not sure? CyberGhost is actually a rarity as a VPN with a free trial. With the CyberGhost free trial, you can test it out for 24 hours on desktop and mobile.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Simple, intuitive, and easily customizable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Perfect for beginners and anyone wanting a simple experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds that are great for torrenting, streaming, and gaming online | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Dedicated streaming servers, but struggled to unblock Disney Plus and Netflix UK. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Fairly reliable with a third-party audit from Deloitte | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Agents are helpful, but the on-site content could be better | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Excellent value and competitive pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You want a free VPN without limits: While some free services impose harsh data caps, Proton VPN free comes with unlimited-bandwidth, 100 servers and great security.
✔️ You need advanced security: its Secure Core servers route internet traffic via multiple privacy-enhancing servers in different countries for extra protection.
✔️ You're a Linux user: Proton VPN is one of a handful of services that supports Linux with a full GUI.
❌ You want the quickest VPN around: Proton VPN can handle HD streaming, but its connection speeds can't keep up with NordVPN.
❌ You rely on customer support: you'll only be able to reach the Proton VPN support team during business hours (9am to 5pm), which is a bit disappointing.
🔒 Proton VPN has made a name for itself amongst privacy purists for its secure apps, unblocking power, and awesome free plan—why not try it for yourself without parting with a penny, then?
From the same provider behind the famous encrypted email ProtonMail, Proton VPN has gone from strength-to-strength lately—from usability and performance to its great commitment to security. Think that the provider even built its very own "world-first" censorship resistant CAPTCHA system to grant access to its services without compromising users' privacy.
Of its now 3,000+ servers, there are 100 Secure Core servers that reroutes your traffic via one of Proton's servers in privacy-friendly countries like Iceland, Sweden, or Switzerland before then going through the server in your desired country. As a Japan VPN, you can both use its Secure Core network as well as its 39 regular servers based across Tokyo and Osaka while keeping a Japan IP.
▶ Try Proton VPN's unlimited free plan.
The Swiss-based provider is also a great option for those looking for a reliable and secure free VPN. Despite some limitations—you need to upgrade for streaming unblocking and P2P support—the freemium plan comes with unlimited bandwidth and an improved network coverage counting over 100 free servers dotted across three the Netherlands, the US, and Japan.
As mentioned above, you'll likely want to upgrade to its Plus plan (which is on the pricier side) for full rein of its maximum speeds and features, including its ability to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more.
It is worth noting, though, that in terms of speeds its performances were less memorable this time, dropping again from 510 to 460Mbps with WireGuard. We experienced better results with OpenVPN, though, with peaks passing from 210 to 350Mbps.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A sleek and stylish dark mode is the star | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Great mobile apps, but the desktop version can be complex | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A decent performer that doesn't top our rankings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Paid plans can unblock a ton of services and sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Lots of security add-ons, an audited policy, and open source apps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support can be patchy and hard to get hold of | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Premium plans aren't exactly cheap, but the free plan is fantastic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to choose the best Japan VPN
Unfortunately there's no straight answer as this really depends on your own needs. However, there are a few characteristics that you should look out for in any case.
A VPN is primarily a security software that aims to protect your privacy. This means that a reliable encryption together with different protocols to choose from, a good range of security options and a clear no-logs privacy policy are the backbone of your service.
You should also make sure that your next Japan VPN offers a diverse network of servers across the world, including some within the nation border to safely browse locally. All the providers listed below fulfill this description.
Then, you need to think of how you want to use your software. Are you a keen gamer? Fast speeds are a must here. Looking to unblock streaming platforms? Pick a provider with reliable unlocking skills. It is also worth noting that many services like Netflix are trying hard to prevent this, so that features like obfuscation technology or streaming DNS option are a good addition here.
Best Japan VPN: FAQs
Are VPNs legal in Japan?
Not to worry, the use of a VPN in Japan is completely legal. While some countries do have bans and restrictions on the use of VPN services—including China and North Korea—Japan is not one of them. In fact, you'll find its internet policing is all but non-existent.
What is a Japan VPN for?
A VPN has multiple uses, both in offering an additional layer of security, especially when using public networks to get online, as well as spoofing your location in order to access content locked to specific regions.
When it comes to a Japan VPN, our VPN choices ensure you'll be able to appear as if you're right at home when you're off travelling with servers based in locations across Japan. This means you can access certain services like normal, including native TV broadcasts and Japan's Netflix library.
Whether you're abroad or not, you may also face geo-restrictions when at work in the office, or in school, with certain websites and apps banned to circumvent time spent on social media instead of working.
How can I watch Netflix Japan VPN?
It's easy. Many of our choices for a Japan VPN also feature in our best Netflix VPN guide. All you have to do to access the Japanese Netflix library when outside of the country is to hop on one of your chosen VPN's servers based in Japan, load up Netflix and you'll be able to access titles exclusive to the country.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
