3 Steps (Quick + Easy) for Getting a Japanese IP Address in 2023:
- Step 1. Choose a VPN with servers in Japan. ExpressVPN is my top choice because it has 4 server locations in Japan — more than the other VPNs on this list — as well as high-end security features, excellent streaming and torrenting support, and intuitive apps.
- Step 2. Install the VPN on your device(s). Installing a VPN is just like installing any other application. Simply download the software, click through the setup wizard, and log into your account.
- Step 3. Connect to a server in Japan. Simply select Japan from the list of available server locations.
The easiest way to get a Japanese IP address is to use a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN is an easy-to-use application that allows you to connect to servers located all over the world. When you connect to a VPN server, it replaces your IP address with an IP address from the country where you’re connected — like one in Japan.
Not all VPNs are good for providing you with a Japanese IP address, though. Some don’t have a server in Japan, which means you won’t be able to get a Japanese IP address. And many of the VPNs that can get you a Japanese IP address have slow connection speeds and lack essential security features.
I tested all of the top VPNs on the market in 2023, and all of my top choices were able to get me a Japanese IP address. ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation because of its excellent security, fast speeds, top-notch streaming support, and intuitive apps.
Best VPNs for Getting a Japanese IP Address
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for getting a Japanese IP address in 2023.
- 🥈2. CyberGhost VPN — Good VPN for streaming with fast speeds.
- 🥉3. NordVPN — Reliable with great security.
- Bonus. Surfshark — Affordable VPN with good features.
🥇 1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Getting a Japanese IP Address
ExpressVPN has really easy-to-use apps. Getting a Japanese IP address is as easy as scrolling through the list of available server locations under the Asia Pacific region, selecting one in Japan, and clicking the large connect button on the home screen. ExpressVPN also lets you save server locations to a list of favorites to make getting a Japanese IP address easier and faster. You can connect up to 5 devices at a time using a single subscription.
It also has industry-standard VPN security features, plus extras like:
- RAM-only servers. All of ExpressVPN’s servers run exclusively on RAM, meaning no data is ever written to a hard drive and all data is wiped each time the server reboots.
- Perfect forward secrecy. Regularly changes your encryption key to prevent a hacker from monitoring your past or future keys.
- Full leak protection. ExpressVPN provides protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, which can reveal your real IP address.
- Threat Manager. Blocks connections to malicious websites and blocks the ad trackers that attempt to monitor your online activity.
- Split-tunneling. Lets you choose which apps are routed through the VPN and which ones are routed through your local network.
I was very impressed with ExpressVPN’s speeds. Even though Japan is very far away from my home country (the US), my speed loss was barely noticeable. Websites instantly loaded and videos started playing in just 1–2 seconds — this is why ExpressVPN is ranked #1 on our list of the fastest VPNs in 2023.
ExpressVPN’s customer support platforms are excellent. It has a large library of video guides that explain how to use its features, and the 24/7 live chat customer support is convenient, as any time I had a question, a real person was always there to quickly and accurately answer it.
ExpressVPN has monthly and yearly plans starting at $6.67 / month, accepts a wide range of payment options including credit cards, PayPal, and even Bitcoin, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. CyberGhost VPN — Great VPN for Streaming With Fast Speeds
It’s really easy to find and connect to one of its 100+ Japanese servers. You can manually select Japan in the alphabetical list, use the search bar, and even save a Japanese server as one of your favorites. The servers are neatly organized on the left side of the dashboard and separated into categories for all servers, streaming servers, torrenting servers, and even gaming servers (though there are no gaming servers in Japan). I connected to a Japanese server at different times of the day throughout an entire week, and each time I was given a Japanese IP address.
I also really like the Smart Rules feature, which allows you to customize your connection preferences. For example, you can set up CyberGhost to automatically connect to a Japanese server as soon as you launch the app. The provider lets you connect up to 7 devices simultaneously, and you can set up unique Smart Rules on every device.
When it comes to speeds, CyberGhost is very fast — but still slightly slower than ExpressVPN. Websites loaded in a few seconds and Netflix content started with only minimal delays.
I love all of the security and privacy features CyberGhost offers. It has RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, DNS and WebRTC leak protection (and disconnects IPv6 connections by default), and a Content Blocker that prevents you from visiting malicious websites. CyberGhost’s no-logs policy has passed an independent audit and it issues a transparency report, which proves that the provider doesn’t share user data.
CyberGhost VPN has very affordable plans that start at just $2.11 / month and accepts debit/credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and bitcoin. It offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee for its longer-term plans and has a 14-day money-back guarantee with its monthly plan.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
🥉3. NordVPN — Reliable VPN With Over 130 Servers in Japan
NordVPN is an excellent choice for getting a Japanese IP address — it has advanced security features, user-friendly apps, and offers stable and fast connections. Out of over 5,400 servers worldwide, NordVPN has over 130 servers in Japan. In addition, it works on Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and many smart TVs (which is great because you can connect up to 6 devices at a time).
I like that NordVPN comes packed with strong privacy and security features. Along with standard tools, NordVPN offers a no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, DNS leak protection, split-tunneling and inverse split-tunneling, and an automatic kill switch. Its Threat Protection tool blocks all ads and trackers and protects against various online threats, including malware, phishing, and botnet attacks. It even comes with Dark Web Monitor, a complimentary service that will alert you if any of your details are posted on the dark web.
NordVPN provides good speeds and stable connections but isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN. When I connected to a server in Japan from Romania, my download speed fell by half. That might sound like a lot, but websites still loaded in seconds. Videos also started right away, except when I tried streaming in HD (I sometimes had to wait up to a minute before they’d start).
Using a Japanese server, I could stream Japanese Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. I also managed to watch Japanese TV via streaming services such as AbemaTV and U-NEXT. Also, NordVPN has hundreds of P2P servers optimized for high-speed file sharing, so I could download and upload large files.
NordVPN offers plans that start at $4.99 / month. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bonus. Surfshark — Budget-Friendly VPN (With Good Coverage in Japan)
Surfshark comes packed with privacy and security features, essential and advanced. I was pleased to see that the provider has passed independent security audits focusing on its server infrastructure, browser extension, RAM-only servers, and no-logs policy. It also offers an IP Rotator feature that lets you change your IP address to a different country without breaking your connection. However, I don’t like the fact that it lacks IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection.
In terms of speed, Surfshark is fast enough to use the internet normally. But, especially when you connect to very distant servers, it’s a lot slower than ExpressVPN. I connected to one of Surfshark’s Tokyo servers and experienced a 61% slowdown. However, sites still loaded in 3 seconds and HD videos in 2–3 seconds (4K videos took 5–6 seconds and there was minor buffering).
Surfshark offers several plans that start at at $2.30 / month. The company also provides a generous 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Read the full Surfshark review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Getting a Japanese IP Address in 2023
How to Choose the Best VPN for Getting a Japanese IP Address
- Make sure the VPN has servers in Japan. If the VPN doesn’t have at least 1 VPN server in Japan, you won’t be able to get a Japanese IP address. All of the VPNs on this list have at least 1 server in Japan.
- Consider how fast it is. Using a VPN slows your connection because your traffic is routed through an encrypted VPN server before going to its destination. A good VPN, like the ones I recommend, will mitigate this slowdown so that the difference in speed is practically unnoticeable (ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN out there).
- Find a VPN with strong security measures. All the VPNs on this list include industry-standard VPN security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy, as well as leak protection.
- Check whether the VPN is easy to use. I only considered VPNs that have easy-to-use apps that you can set up and start using in just a few minutes, even if you’ve never used a VPN before.
- Look into customer service. I made sure all of the VPNs here offer multiple customer support platforms like 24/7 live chat (ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN have this), email support, and troubleshooting guides that can help you get a Japanese IP address and resolve any issues you may experience.
- Ensure compatibility with your devices. The best VPNs offer native apps for all the devices you use. The VPNs recommended here work on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, as well as devices such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.
- Confirm that the VPN offers good value. All of the VPNs on this list offer affordable plans, allow you to connect to multiple devices (Surfshark allows unlimited connections), and offer a money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for getting a Japanese IP address?
In my opinion, ExpressVPN is the top VPN for getting a Japanese IP address in 2023. It has the fastest speeds on the market, the most server locations in Japan, and great security features.
Can I use a free VPN to get a Japanese IP address?
Maybe, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Many free VPNs have slow connection speeds, impose limits on the amount of data you can use, don’t have great security features, and often don’t have servers in Japan — preventing you from getting a Japanese IP address.
Ultimately, I recommend using only a premium VPN to get a Japanese IP address. All of the VPNs on this list are great for getting a Japanese IP address.
Can I watch Netflix with a Japanese IP address?
Yes — if you have a Netflix Japan account and travel abroad, you can use a VPN to get a Japanese IP address and watch your favorite Netflix Japan content.
To watch Netflix Japan from abroad, you’ll need to choose a VPN with at least 1 server in Japan. My top choice is ExpressVPN because it has reliable connections to servers in Japan, fast speeds, and works with Netflix Japan, as well as with 65+ other streaming sites.
Can I torrent with a Japanese IP address?
Yes, and all of the VPNs on this list have servers in Japan that allow torrenting and work with top torrenting apps like BitTorrent, uTorrent, and Vuze.
My favorite VPN for torrenting is ExpressVPN. It’s hands-down the best VPN for torrenting, as it maintains the fastest download speeds, allows torrenting on all its servers, and has top-notch security features like full leak protection.
