We've all felt limited by the viewing options on streaming sites from time to time, but with a quality VPN, you can set your IP to elsewhere world and experience their options; so why not skip across the globe and give these Japan VPNs a shot? Even if it's just for protecting your data, these VPNs have you covered.
Having a VPN is absolutely worthwhile regardless of where you live. All of the options below are available in Japan and many other countries, so they're ideal for those living outside Japan who want to set their IP address there or even those in Japan wanting to catch up with their favourite shows from home.
There's plenty to consider when choosing a Japan VPN. While the options are largely the same as many other types of VPN, you still need to be certain that they have servers in Japan. If you're planning on downloading through your chosen VPN, you'll also want to keep an eye on the average speeds you can expect.
The best Japan VPNs at a glance:
• The best Japan VPN overall: NordVPN - View on NordVPN.com
• The best Japan VPN for consistent speed: ExpressVPN - View on ExpressVPN.com
• The best Japan VPN for multiple devices: Surfshark - View on Surfshark.com
To help you reach the best decision possible, we've gathered a selection of our favourite Japan VPNs and examined their strengths and weaknesses. As part of this, we've noted their total amount of servers (in case you want to explore the streaming selection in other countries), encryption, and the number of simultaneous connections they can hold.
The best Japan VPN overall
NordVPNnordvpn.com
With over 130 servers in Japan alone, going for NordVPN is an easy choice that you won't regret. The user experience is pretty seamless, as the fairly impressive speed means you should barely notice a difference in performance whether you have it turned on or off. NordVPN is especially great if you're specifically looking for Japanese servers, but you still have over 5800 servers worldwide to choose from.
It also provides some solid security and encryption that doesn't require too much input from you. Our only real complaint is that we're not fans of the app and would generally suggest sticking to PC with this pick.
Pros
- Great number of Japanese servers
- Solid security
Cons
- Better on PC, as mobile app is so-so
| Servers | 5800+ |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| Simultaneous connections | 6 |
| Average speeds | 820mbps |
- Customer review: "So far have been extremely happy, everything running smooth. No issues and I feel much safer using their service. I got their full package with NordPass and the Locker, and so far great experience, I was even surprised the VPN is smooth and fast."
The best Japan VPN for consistent speed
ExpressVPNgo.expressvpn.com
ExpressVPN does many things very well, but we really appreciate how consistent and reliable it is. While other VPNs can hit higher speeds, ExpressVPN seems to be much less likely to have any extreme dips. Combine that with its brilliant value and price that shouldn't put much pressure on your wallet, and you've got a dependable VPN for any purpose.
While we are confident in its abilities as a Japan VPN, we do wish there were more Japanese servers to select from.
Pros
- Reliable speed
- Brilliant value
Cons
- Could do with more servers in Japan
| Servers | 3000+ |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 |
| Average speeds | 560mbps |
- Customer review: "Great app, use it constantly to protect my devices when travelling abroad for work and a fair price."
The best Japan VPN for ease of use
CyberGhostwww.cyberghostvpn.com
VPNs can seem somewhat imposing and complicated to first-time buyers, but CyberGhost is a great starting point. It refrains from overloading you with complex features, and the UI is easy to navigate as a result. It still has all the key features and security you would want, but just in a much simpler package.
Although it does often get outclassed in terms of speed, CyberGhost is far from slow. In fact, if you prefer to stream shows and videos rather than download them directly, we think it's a fantastic choice for that purpose.
Pros
- Great for VPN beginners
- Great for streaming
Cons
- Faster options exist
| Servers | 9500+ |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| Simultaneous connections | 7 |
| Average speeds | 548mbps |
- Customer review: "Works well. There are many servers to choose from, and speed is good."
The best Japan VPN for multiple devices
surfshark.com
Surfshark has 62 servers in Japan and over 3200 worldwide, so it's already full of options as a Japan VPN. But its potential doesn't stop there, as the real selling point of Surfshark is that you can connect it to an unlimited number of devices. If you're looking for a way to keep your family secure online, this is the clear winner.
Its strengths don't stop quite there, as it can also reach some seriously impressive speeds at times, making it perfect for when you want to download larger files. It's a shame the kill switch is unreliable, but that shouldn't be a major dealbreaker.
Pros
- Able to use with an unlimited number of devices
- Can reach quite high speeds
Cons
- Kill switch is subpar
| Servers | 3200+ |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Average speeds | 950mbps |
- Customer review: "VPN speed is blazingly fast, with little to no difference to no VPN. Thank gosh, I didn't have to buy a more expensive package from another provider who provides roughly the same quality but with a higher price. Surfshark is simply the best bang for the buck."
The best Japan VPN for server choice
www.privateinternetaccess.com
For any globetrotter who thinks Japan is just one of the locations they will visit (digitally or physically), we suggest opting for Private Internet Access. You have a selection of over 35,000 servers worldwide, so you'll have plenty to choose from in Japan and elsewhere. Plus, you can connect to 10 devices simultaneously, which should be more than enough for two people, perfect for a travel buddy.
Our main gripe is that we can't recommend it as someone's first VPN. The interface is fairly complex and not the easiest to navigate, but if you consider yourself a bit of a tech wizard, there are plenty of features for you to enjoy.
It's worth adding that because of PIA's huge coverage, it makes for a great US VPN and Canada VPN. It's a provider with servers in every corner of the world in excess.
Pros
- Impressive number of servers
- Very respectable number of simultaneous devices
Cons
- User interface is not the easiest to understand
| Servers | 35,000+ |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| Simultaneous connections | 10 |
| Average speeds | 510mbps |
- Customer review: "I've been using the PIA VPN for 3+ years. I highly recommend them also because of the great quality of connection and a wide selection of regions."
FAQs
Glossary
VPN- Virtual Private Network
Encryption- The security of your data
Simultaneous connections- How many devices you have that can be using the VPN at the same time
Can you still watch shows in English?
In most cases, yes. Even if a site defaults to Japanese while your VPN is set in Japan, most streaming sites offer the ability to swap the language around. This might be through a setting gear where you would normally enable subtitles, or through your account settings. In the latter case, you should be able to set English as your default from henceforth.
It's also worth noting that in some cases, you may need to use a Japanese keyboard to find what you're looking for, but that can be done through a simple browser add-on.
Are VPNs legal in Japan?
If you're concerned about the legality of using a Japan VPN, fear not; using a VPN is totally fine in Japanese law. To the surprise of many, using a VPN in China is totally legal too. There are very few countries in the world where VPNs are illegal, privacy laws might just be a bit tighter.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the rest of the What’s The Best team.