5 Best VPNs for Japan in 2023 for Security, Privacy & Streaming

Cybersecurity on Japan’s public WiFi hotspots is a serious concern. Hackers easily use unsecured networks to steal your data. On top of that, you're restricted to Japanese websites and services when visiting.

A reliable VPN can protect your online activity and help you bypass geo-restrictions. My team and I tested over 70 VPNs to find the best ones with a global network of secure servers.

Every VPN on my list can also offer you a Japanese IP address to stream Fuji TV and Netflix Japan when traveling abroad. Plus, they're great for safely torrenting, streaming, and gaming at speeds close to matching those of Japan's fast internet.

ExpressVPN is my top pick for Japan because of its military-grade encryption and super-fast servers in 94 countries, including Japan. Try ExpressVPN with confidence knowing it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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The Best VPNs for Japan — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

After weeks of testing, my team and I found the best VPNs to protect your personal information and help you access content worldwide. They also provide breakneck speeds to give you the best experience for various online activities.

The VPNs on my list can be used on multiple devices simultaneously and are compatible with most major operating systems. As a bonus, each one comes with a tried-and-tested money-back guarantee for complete peace of mind.

1. ExpressVPN — Global Network to Access Local and International Content

ExpressVPN erases most online borders with a global network of 3,000 servers in 94 countries. I easily accessed my accounts on Netflix US and BBC iPlayer while I was in Japan. The VPN was even able to log me into my US-based bank account. So, you can use this VPN to access your favorite services from anywhere.

There are plenty of Japanese servers too. I unblocked both Netflix Japan and Fuji TV when I was abroad.

This is undoubtedly the fastest VPN for Japan. I tested ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature that connected me to the nearest server, and my speed was fast enough for Ultra HD streaming. You shouldn’t notice a significant difference in speed even if you connect to far-away servers. To top it off, ExpressVPN has uncapped bandwidth and P2P traffic support, so you can download files without limitations.

This VPN keeps your data safe with AES 256-bit encryption (the standard used by the National Security Agency in the US). ExpressVPN also uses HMAC (Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code) to prevent data from being altered by hackers. I discovered that the Perfect Forward Secrecy changes the cryptography key every 15 minutes (or every session). So, criminals can't access all your data even if they somehow steal one encryption key.

Your location and browsing activities are hidden with sophisticated security protocols like IKEv2/IPSec, Lightway, and OpenVPN (in my opinion, OpenVPN provides the best balance of speed and protection). I also found that the default VPN app settings have obfuscation technology turned on. With obfuscation, the app disguises the encrypted traffic as regular, ensuring no one can see you’re using a VPN.

There’s also a strict no-logs policy, meaning ExpressVPN doesn’t collect, store, or share your information. I also discovered that ExpressVPN has TrustedServer technology and RAM-only servers. This means the VPN erases your data every time its servers are restarted.

During my tests, I also didn’t detect any IP or DNS leaks, which is excellent if you want to remain anonymous online. The Network Lock (kill switch) feature even cuts the internet connection if your VPN drops to ensure you’re always protected. And for another layer of anonymity, try signing up using a one-time account and use Bitcoin to pay for a subscription.

You can configure specific apps to use encrypted traffic instead of your connection with Split Tunneling. Sometimes I forget to launch the VPN before using sensitive services. With this feature, your torrenting client or banking app can use a VPN automatically, so you won’t accidentally expose your data.

I was able to use the VPN on up to 8 devices simultaneously. ExpressVPN is available on most operating systems (including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android), browsers, and routers. I found the interface for all versions of the app to be clean and straightforward. There are also many tutorials, guides, and 24/7 customer service if you need help.

Try ExpressVPN risk-free and, if you're not impressed, you can claim a full refund during the 30-day money-back guarantee period. I contacted customer support on the last day of the money-back period. The support agent asked me why I canceled the subscription, but the conversation lasted roughly 5 minutes. I got my money back on my credit card just 4 days later.

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2. IPVanish — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections to Protect All Your Devices

IPVanish makes total protection extremely affordable with its Unlimited simultaneous connections support. My team and I tested how IPVanish works on 13 devices at the same time. The results were great — we had no significant speed drops or disconnects. So, you can protect all devices in your household or small business with a single account.

Accessing geo-blocked content is easy with IPVanish’s global network of servers in 75 countries. I used this VPN to access my Netflix US, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer accounts in Japan. You can also easily watch Japanese TV from anywhere using over 20 servers in Tokyo. And if you’re encountering advanced geoblocks (like those in China) — the OpenVPN Scramble feature can mask your VPN traffic, helping you to bypass them.

My connections were lightning-fast during my tests. I used the Quick Connect feature to get the fastest server in Japan. The connection was so good I could stream in HD without buffering. IPVanish also allows P2P and doesn’t limit your bandwidth, so you can torrent as many files as you want.

This VPN is serious about your online protection. IPVanish encrypts your traffic with AES 256-bit encryption with SHA-512 authentication and RSA-2048, making your data indecipherable for hackers. I was also pleasantly surprised with how protected the network is against IP and DNS leaks — my actual location remained hidden during my tests.

I learned that IPVanish also has a trustworthy no-logs policy and manages its own servers. So, no one can get hold of your data. You can also activate the automatic kill switch in the app’s settings for additional protection against leaks.

This VPN is compatible with most operating systems, browsers, and media players like Kodi. I found the interface very intuitive on all apps, so you can quickly start using IPVanish without reading guides. Still, there are set-up guides on the website and 24/7 customer support if you have any questions.

Try IPVanish with confidence, knowing it has a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee. I canceled my subscription using the form on the official website (without even talking to support). About 6 days later, my money was back in my bank account.

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3. CyberGhost — Fast Servers Optimized for Buffer-Free Streaming

CyberGhost has blazing speeds, so you can watch shows, anime, and films with zero buffering. I tested CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers that offer the best speeds for specific streaming services and countries. When I connected to servers optimized for Netflix US from Japan, my videos loaded right away in UHD. Besides, CyberGhost offers unlimited bandwidth and plenty of P2P-friendly servers for torrenting.

With 9,371 servers in 91 countries, CyberGhost can unblock geo-restrictions on websites, services, and TV all over the world. After getting an American IP address, I accessed my Hulu, Netflix US, and Amazon Prime Video accounts from Japan. You can also watch shows on Netflix Japan and TV Tokyo from anywhere if you connect to one of CyberGhost’s servers in Japan.

Your information is guarded by top-tier encryption, 2048-bit RSA, and HMAC for hash-based data authentication. I love the automatic WiFi protection on CyberGhost’s mobile apps. If turned on in the app’s general settings, the VPN starts automatically when you connect to unidentified WiFi networks. Additionally, this VPN comes with built-in anti-malware to protect you from trackers and ads on the web.

Your data remains safe from prying eyes. As I found out, this VPN is based outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance (countries in the alliance exchange data about their citizens) and has a zero-logs policy. For total protection against snoopers, you can use a kill switch feature or upgrade (for a small fee) to CyberGhost’s highly secured and independently operated NoSpy servers.

Despite CyberGhost’s slightly expensive monthly subscriptions, I found its long-term plans to be very affordable. In addition, you can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously — more than I use at the same time.

Try CyberGhost risk-free. You can easily reclaim your subscription payment during the 45-day money-back guarantee if this VPN doesn’t satisfy you.

I used the 24/7 live chat to ask for a refund and spent a few minutes talking to the company representative. I got the entire sum back on my PayPal account in about a week.

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4. Private Internet Access — Intuitive Mobile and Desktop Apps for Beginners

Private Internet Access (PIA) makes VPN use effortless even for beginners. While this VPN offers many advanced features, they’re easy to use because of the intuitive design of its apps. I found the setup to be very quick on every supported device, so you can start using the VPN minutes after installation.

This VPN also supports Unlimited simultaneous connections and most operating systems so that you can use it on all your active devices. I tested PIA’s on 5 devices at once and never saw any drop in performance.

Accessing geo-restricted content from your home country won’t be a problem. PIA has many servers in 84 countries to help you bypass geoblocks. Still, PIA is great for watching UHD content from streaming services like Netflix (US and Japan) and Amazon Prime Video. The only service I couldn’t unblock was BBC iPlayer.

My connection was more than fast enough for streaming, downloading, and gaming. I found that the VPN performs best if you connect to a nearby server — connecting to a Tokyo server while in Japan won’t reduce your connection significantly. Besides, PIA doesn’t restrict your bandwidth, so you can enjoy high speeds without worrying about ISP restrictions.

I noticed that PIA offers multiple encryption levels and security protocols. So, you can improve your speed with AES 128-bit and L2TP protocol. However, if you want to maximize protection, you should stick to AES 256-bit and OpenVPN. You can also turn on the MACE feature to block trackers, ads, and other malicious software. In addition, PIA keeps your information safe with DNS/IP leak protection, a proven no-logs policy, and a kill switch.

Try PIA for yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee — you can get your money back if it doesn’t suit you. I tested the refund policy by canceling my subscription via live chat after 20 days. The conversation was over quickly, and business days later, I got my money back on my PayPal.

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5. PrivateVPN — P2P-Optimized Network for Fast and Secure Torrenting

PrivateVPN is an excellent choice for secure and fast file-sharing. Despite a smaller network, this VPN offers unlimited bandwidth and P2P support on all of its 200 servers. Plus, PrivateVPN’s split tunneling feature allows you to choose specific apps to use the VPN service. So, you can browse and stream with your ISP internet while your torrenting apps use an encrypted connection.

The VPN showed great speeds during my tests. You can stream, game, and download large files without slowdowns or interruptions. I also tested PrivateVPN’s port forwarding and SOCKS5 and found that it gives a speed boost during torrenting.

Bypassing geo-restrictions is easy with PrivateVPN’s global network of servers in 63 countries. I connected to different US servers, which allowed me to access my banking account and Netflix US. You can just as easily use PrivateVPN’s server in Japan to watch local content when away from the country.

Hackers won’t get their hands on your data as the VPN protects you with top-notch encryption (256-bit) and Perfect Forward Secrecy. I also found its Stealth VPN technology to be quite helpful in strict environments. It helps you get around deep packet inspection and firewalls.

The no-logs policy ensures PrivateVPN won’t store or share your personal information with anyone. I also tested for leaks, and none of its servers exposed my IP address or DNS requests. Besides, you can use the kill switch to ensure you’re always protected online, even if the VPN unexpectedly drops (however, this never happened to me).

Give PrivateVPN a risk-free test drive, knowing it offers 30-day money-back guarantee. After testing the VPN for almost a month, I filled a form on the official website to cancel and request a refund. The whole process took me a couple of minutes, and I got my money back on my credit card 10 days later.

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Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for Japan

To identify the most suitable VPNs for secure content access within and beyond Japan, my team and I conducted extensive tests on more than 70 providers. You can utilize our criteria as a useful checklist when searching for a VPN that aligns with your specific requirements.

• Global network — It would help if you had a VPN with servers worldwide to access many international websites, services, and streaming platforms when in Japan. My recommended VPNs have global networks of servers you can use to unblock most geo-restrictions.
• Servers in Japan — A VPN with servers in Japan can help you watch domestic anime and streaming services. All my VPNs can provide you with Japanese IP addresses, so you can access local content even when you’re abroad.
• Robust security — A reliable VPN can protect your data from hackers and snoops. The services on my list have military-grade encryption, advanced security protocols, and IP/DNS leak protection. So you can safely browse, stream, and torrent even on public WiFi.
• Strict no-logs policy — Privacy is one of the primary principles of a good VPN. That’s why I choose VPNs that won’t collect, store, or share your data with third parties.
• Fast speeds — All VPNs reduce your base internet speed when encrypting your traffic. However, I shortlisted the fastest VPNs for Japan, so you won’t even notice the speed difference.
• Device compatibility — A good VPN should protect you no matter the device you’re using. So, I chose services that support multiple simultaneous connections. Besides, these VPNs work on popular operating systems (Windows, iOS, and Android) and have versions for browsers.
• Ease of use — All VPNs on my list have intuitive interfaces, so you can encrypt your traffic or bypass restrictions in a few clicks. Plus, these VPNs provide tutorials, guides, and online support to help you any time of the day.
• Money-back guarantee — I included VPNs with tested refund policies, meaning you can try them out with confidence.

Try ExpressVPN for Japan Risk-Free Today!

FAQs on Using a VPN in Japan

Why do you need a VPN for Japan?

When in Japan, you can encounter geo-restrictions from international services and websites. For example, American streaming platforms (like Netflix US) and banks restrict their services to people inside the US. However, a VPN with a global server network helps you access your accounts from anywhere.

Many Japanese streaming services (Netflix Japan, TV Tokyo, and Fuji TV) are blocked for people outside of the country. So, you need a VPN with servers in Japan to watch local content regardless of your location.

VPNs on this list also offer robust security features to keep you safe from hackers and have global networks. So, you can browse, stream, or play games in and outside of Japan (even on public WiFi hotspots) without worrying about your data.

Are VPNs legal in Japan?

Yes, VPNs are legal in Japan as long as you use them for legitimate purposes. In fact, many people in Japan use VPNs to safeguard their data on public WiFi or to access content from outside the country.

Even if you’re in a country that bans VPNs (like China), you won’t get in trouble using a reliable service. For example, ExpressVPN’s top-grade encryption and obfuscation technology can hide your traffic even in heavily restrictive environments.

How can I access Netflix Japan with a VPN?

All the VPNs on this list have servers in Japan to help you access local content. To log into your Netflix Japan account, you just have to open the VPN and connect to a Japan server — you’ll then have a Japanese IP address.

Is torrenting legal in Japan?

You can only torrent copyright-free materials in Japan. The government strictly forbids downloading and sharing copyrighted content. Violators can face severe fines (up to $90,000) and prison time for violating these laws.

Even though VPNs on this list allow using the internet anonymously, my team and I are strongly against illegal torrenting. So, make sure the files you download aren’t protected by intellectual property rights.

Is it safe to use a free VPN in Japan?

No, using a free VPN puts your security and privacy at risk. Most of these “free” services track your online activities and sell your data to advertisers and other third parties. Besides, free VPNs are unable to bypass most geo-restrictions and provide subpar speeds.

I recommend you try a premium VPN, like ExpressVPN, with strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy. On top of that, the VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can try ExpressVPN and get a refund if you’re not satisfied.

The Bottom Line

Japan is an advanced country with almost non-existent internet censorship. Still, you need a reliable VPN to secure your data from hackers and snoops (especially on public WiFi hotspots).

Plus, VPNs with a global network can help you unblock geo-restrictions for popular international services and platforms. VPNs with servers in Japan can also help you access your favorite shows and TV while outside the country.

ExpressVPN is my top choice for Japan because of its vast global network of ultra-fast servers and uncrackable encryption. Try ExpressVPN with confidence — if you’re not happy with it, you can request a refund within the first 30 days.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for Japan