How to get a Japanese IP address with a VPN

If you’re looking to get a Japanese IP address, chances are it’s because you’ve come across web content that is unavailable from outside of Japan. That’s no surprise: most streaming services are geo-restricted in some way. It can be frustrating though, especially if you just want to watch Japanese TV or stream Netflix Japan while traveling. Luckily, you can get an IP address from Japan quite easily with a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs send your internet traffic through a server in a location of your choosing, hiding your true IP address and allowing you to access Japan-only platforms like NHK and TVer from anywhere in the world. Not only that, they encrypt your data, preventing it from being monitored by your ISP, government, or public hotspot owners. Aside from regaining access to your favorite shows, you’ll also be protecting your online privacy. What’s not to like?

Today, we’ll explain exactly how to use a VPN to gain a Japanese IP address. Then, we’ll reveal the best VPNs for the job based on our rigorous testing. We’ll go in-depth on each of the providers we feature below, but if you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary.

The best VPNs for gaining a Japanese IP address:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice to get an IP address from Japan! Extremely fast, with strong security, reliable servers all over the globe, and a 30-day money-back guarantee that means you can try it risk-free.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Japan.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for getting a Japan IP address. Delivers high speeds and can access a huge range of geo-blocked content. Lets users connect all of their devices at the same time.
3. Total VPN: Fast servers in Japan and 84+ other countries. Low-cost subscriptions and easy-to-use apps with strong encryption and leak protection. Great for streaming.
4. ProtonVPN: A no-logs VPN with dozens of servers in Japan. Boasts a strong set of security tools and the ability to access many popular streaming services. 
5. ExpressVPN: RAM-only Japanese servers are great for streaming and torrenting. Secure, private, and great at unblocking geo-restricted services.
6. IPVanish: A first-class VPN with fast Japanese servers, powerful security features, and no connection limit. A great choice for anyone hoping to stream.
7. PureVPN: Fast provider with exceptional streaming ability. Sleek, easy-to-use apps and 24/7 customer support. Works with NHK, Netflix and many similar platforms.
8. CyberGhost: An easy to use VPN with a huge network and Japanese servers specially optimized for streaming. Customizable and secure, with 24/7 support.
9. PrivateVPN: Secure provider with great unblocking capabilities, low-cost subscriptions, and lots of Japanese VPN servers. Works virtually anywhere.

How to get a Japanese IP address

Even if you’ve never tried a VPN before, using one to gain an IP address from Japan isn’t difficult at all. Just follow the simple steps below, and you’ll be streaming Japanese content in no time.

Here’s how to use a VPN to gain a Japan IP address:

1. Sign up with a VPN service that has servers in Japan (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app onto any device you use regularly.
3. Open the VPN and select one of the servers located in Japan. This will change your IP address, making websites think you’re actually in Japan.
4. Visit a geo-restricted website. You should now be able to access it as normal, without any errors, regardless of your actual location.
5. Having problems? In our years of experience testing VPNs, we can say that most issues can be resolved by clearing your cookies or trying a different Japanese server. Failing this, contact your VPN’s support team for advice.

The best VPNs to gain an IP address from Japan: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a Japanese IP address.

Criteria for the best VPNs with Japanese servers

There are a multitude of VPNs on the market, but their quality and capabilities can vary dramatically. To be considered for our list, a VPN had to score highly in a range of tests. These covered the following areas:

• Speed: Every VPN will have some impact on your speeds. To be sure we don’t recommend any that are too slow, we performed multiple speed tests while using each VPN’s Japanese servers.
• Server availability: To give users an idea of server availability for Japanese (and other) IP addresses, we scored providers on how many server locations they had in Japan, as well as the number of countries they supported.
• Security and privacy: Our team evaluated each service against more than a dozen security-related criteria. This involved checking their encryption levels, supported protocols, obfuscation abilities, and much more.
• Ease of use: We examined providers’ ease of use by evaluating them against almost a dozen relevant criteria including how many connections they allow, how reliable they are for streaming, and whether they have 24/7 support.
• Streaming: Our experts checked how many major streaming platforms each VPN could access, how many Japanese server locations they offered, and whether we had to try multiple servers before finding one that worked.

You can find out more about how we test the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section later in the article. We’ll also discuss the test results and what they mean for your choice of VPN. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

The best VPNs for a Japanese IP

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for gaining a Japanese IP address:

1. NordVPN 

Nov 2025

NordVPN is our top choice VPN for gaining an IP address from Japan. It has over 8,000 servers around the world, more than 130 of which are in Japan. What really stands out to users is its streaming ability; NordVPN works with stubborn Japanese TV platforms like TVer, Abema TV, Netflix, and more. If you’re considering a VPN so you can regain access to geo-restricted content, you won’t be disappointed. Up to 10 devices can be connected simultaneously and there’s 24/7 live chat just in case anything doesn’t work as expected.

Slow speeds are a real problem, especially if you’re dealing with servers that are on the other side of the world. To see how quick NordVPN is, we tested its Japanese servers at multiple times of day. Let’s take a look at the results:

NordVPN’s average speed across all three tests was 175.19 Mbps, which was more than 35 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers. In practical terms, this means that you’re unlikely to notice any speed loss or performance issues while connected.

Security is where this service really comes into its own. For starters, it uses uncrackable encryption and provides safeguards like a customizable kill switch, leak protection, and tracker-blocking. There’s also a brand new protocol named NordWhisper that can get around virtually any online restriction. NordVPN boasts a proven no-logs policy plus special Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers for more advanced users.

NordVPN apps are ideal for video and are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android TV. A browser extension is also on offer for Chrome and Firefox, and you can manually install this VPN on a wide range of routers.

BEST VPN FOR A JAPANESE IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our #1 choice. A great all-rounder that works well with streaming content. True zero-logs privacy policy, strong security, and accommodates up to 10 connected devices. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for getting a Japan IP address. It has a network of around 4,500 servers spanning 100+ countries, with more than 60 Japanese servers in Tokyo. There’s no connection limit, and we’ve had great results streaming while connected. In fact, it works with a huge range of Japanese and international services such as Netflix Japan, J Sports, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. If you have any problems, just get in touch using Surfshark’s 24/7 live chat service.

So how does Surfshark fare in terms of performance? To find out, we ran three tests at varying times of day using the Japanese servers. You’ll find the results in the chart below:

The provider averaged 186.78 Mbps on the day of testing, which is an excellent result and well above the combined average of the other tested providers. It was the fastest VPN we tested overall, so should be more than enough for whatever you have planned, even if you share your connection with other people.

Surfshark really puts your privacy first. Its security toolkit includes 256-bit encryption, protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks, and a kill switch, plus a NoBorders mode that can beat even the strictest digital censorship. As someone who regularly uses this feature, I can safely say that it’s one of the most reliable ways to beat stubborn geographic restrictions. Equally important, Surfshark follows an audited no-logs policy and can swap your IP address regularly while keeping your location the same.

Surfshark apps are available for Linux, iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. Manual installation is required before use with network routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our favorite low-cost service for a Japanese IP address. It provides secure, reliable connections and can bypass even the most stringent restrictions and blocks. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN has a network of around 1,800 servers in 85 countries, including some in Tokyo which can get you an IP address from Japan. Its apps are very well-designed and clutter-free, plus we’ve had great results accessing services like NHK, Hulu Japan, and Netflix whilst connected. Customer support staff are ready to help, 24 hours per day, via live chat. There is a five simultaneous connection limit, which is a little lower than we’d like but still far from being a deal-breaker.

To get an idea of how fast this provider was, we measured our download speeds at various times of day while connected to its servers in Japan. You can see the results below:

Total VPN performed admirably in all three tests, achieving an overall average download speed of 153.5 Mbps. This was faster the the combined average speeds of the other tested providers. In practice, it means you’ll have no problem using a Japanese IP address while streaming, gaming, or anything else.

When it comes to security, this service has you covered. By default, it uses unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data if your connection drops unexpectedly. Total VPN also boasts its own protocol (named Hydra) which can get around some forms of VPN-blocking. If you’d like a little more control, you can specify which websites are allowed to bypass the VPN’s encryption. This can be helpful, for instance, if you’d like to access two geo-blocked platforms at the same time.

Total VPN subscriptions are excellent value and cost the equivalent of $1.59 a month for a one-year plan. Better still, they include free ad-blocking and antivirus software. Apps are available for MacOS, iOS, Android, and Windows, though there’s no Linux or router support just yet.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:Total VPN works with streaming services in Japan and elsewhere. It’s fast and secure, with low-cost subscriptions that include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN boasts an impressively large network, with 15,000+ servers in over 120 countries. Around 200 of these servers are in Japan, but it gets better: our team was able to access stubborn platforms like Netflix JP, NHK, Disney+, and Prime Video without any issues. Paid subscribers are allowed 10 simultaneous connections and get 24/7 customer support via live chat.

So we know that ProtonVPN has plenty of servers in Japan, but how reliable are they? Our experts ran three speed tests at different times of day; check the chart below to see how well this service performed:

With a top speed of 157.18 Mbps, there’s no denying that this VPN is capable of providing top-tier performance. Its overall average was 157.17 Mbps — more than 15 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other providers. That’s more than 10 times the speed required for streaming 4K content.

When it comes to security, ProtonVPN is among the best. It boasts uncrackable encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, a built-in kill switch, and automatic ad and tracker-blocking. More importantly, this provider has a strict no-logs policy and has been audited several times. Its advanced features include a unique accelerator tool, port forwarding, and split tunneling ability. You can even pay in Bitcoin or cash if you’d like to sign up anonymously.

ProtonVPN offers apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Additionally, it can be manually installed on a wide range of routers; check the support section of the website for step-by-step instructions.

READY FOR ANYTHING:ProtonVPN has the streaming ability and privacy features you’ll need to watch Japanese TV securely. It’s easy to set up, blocks ads automatically, and provides around the clock support. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a reliable option for getting a Japanese IP address. Its network spans over 100 countries, with four locations to choose from in Japan alone. Our thorough research showed that this VPN is ideal for streaming, working with all manner of services from NHK to Amazon Prime Video. It permits up to 14 simultaneous connections (depending on the plan) and offers around-the-clock support over live chat.

Now, this doesn’t mean much if it’s too slow to actually load video. We carried out several speed tests to find out how fast ExpressVPN’s servers in Japan were. You can see the results below.

This provider delivered speeds of more than 100 Mbps in all three tests, averaging 109.64 Mbps. That might not be the best result we’ve seen, but it’s certainly enough for any day-to-day task like streaming or torrenting.

ExpressVPN takes a hands-off approach to security, with few customizable features and obfuscation that activates automatically as it’s needed. It keeps you safe using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch that stops sending data when your connection drops, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. Recent updates also added ad and tracker-blocking, which is always nice to see. This provider follows a no-logs policy and has an extensive audit history, so you know you’re protected.

A new addition to this provider is its tiered pricing system, which lets users find the right budget and feature level for them. ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. There’s even custom firmware for routers, allowing you to easily secure your entire home network.

BYPASS BLOCKING:ExpressVPN is great for streaming. It’s fast and excels at unblocking tricky services abroad. Doesn’t compromise on security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is an intuitive, easy to use service with more than 3,200 servers spread across 100+ countries. There are around 10 in Osaka and 60 in Tokyo, allowing you to access Japan-only platforms like Abema TV and NHK from anywhere in the world. It’s worth mentioning that we’ve also had great results with international services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Stan. Users can connect every device they own at the same time and custom support is available around the clock over live chat.

When you’re using this VPN day to day, you’ll notice that it has barely any impact on your connection speed. Still, we wanted to see exactly how fast its Japanese servers were. The chart below shows IPVanish’s performance across a full day of testing:

Overall, its average download speed was 153.50 Mbps, which compares favorably to the other providers we tested. Its consistency is worth mentioning too; there was less than 2 Mbps of variation between its highest and lowest results. In my professional opinion, this makes IPVanish one of the most reliable services on the market.

IPVanish has made real strides on security lately, adding multi-hop servers, tracker-blocking, and a link-safety feature in recent updates. These complement the existing 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and kill switch to provide comprehensive online protection. This VPN has been independently audited to prove it doesn’t keep logs, so you don’t have to take its privacy claims at face value.

IPVanish apps are available for the following platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. It also supports Linux and routers but these require manual setup. Basic plans are available for the relatively modest price of $2.19 a month.

NO DEVICE LIMITS:IPVanish is great for families and people with multiple devices. Easy to use with Kodi and preferred by those  who need high standards of privacy. Long-term subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN has roughly 6,000 servers in 65 countries, including several in Tokyo, Japan. It works with many streaming platforms, including Netflix JP, NHK, and Amazon Prime Video. It allows torrenting across its entire network and in our experience, works great with any day to day task. Users can connect up to 10 devices at a time, and there are no bandwidth limitations. Support staff are on hand 24 hours per day via live chat.

So far, so good. Still, none of this will help if PureVPN can’t provide the speeds needed for streaming. To find out how fast the provider was, we tested its speeds while connected to its servers in Japan. As you can see from the chart below, PureVPN did very well:

PureVPN delivered an average speed of 146.76 Mbps, putting it roughly in the middle of the pack. This is quick enough for virtually any task, so if you need a Japanese IP address for streaming, gaming, or torrenting, it’d be a strong choice.

So, how secure is PureVPN? It uses uncrackable encryption, prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks, and includes a kill switch so you never accidentally browse the web unprotected. Obfuscation turns on automatically whenever the service realizes you’re in a country with strict digital censorship. There’s also a built-in tracker-blocker, though this only works if you choose the Plus or Max plans. Most importantly, PureVPN follows a no-logging policy and has backed up its privacy claims with four independent audits.

PureVPN has iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and macOS apps. Further, it offers detailed setup guides for a wide range of router firmware so you can secure an entire home network.

GREAT FIRST VPN:PureVPN is simple, straightforward, and beginner-friendly. Despite this, it offers impressive performance and strong security. Works well with Japanese streaming services too! New customers can take advantage of a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PureVPN to learn more.

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8. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has servers in more than 100 countries, and boasts a large presence in Japan. There are even some optimized for different tasks, so whether you need a server for torrenting anonymously or watching Japanese TV while on a short trip abroad, this VPN has you covered. Users can connect up to seven devices at a time, which should be plenty for most situations. 24/7 customer support is provided via live chat.

Now, having a large network is great, but server speed governs the user’s experience. To find out how quick CyberGhost’s Japanese servers are, we performed three tests throughout the day. Let’s take a look at the results:

The provider achieved an average download speed of 122.89 Mbps, though its top speed was 149.59 Mbps. So, while it wasn’t the fastest VPN we tested, it’s more than capable of streaming 4k video without issue.

One of the best things about CyberGhost is that most of its privacy features are enabled by default. These include unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. This VPN follows a strict no-logs policy and has been audited for your peace of mind. It also allows you to create custom smart rules, block LAN access to your device, or send data via a random port (which might help if you’re trying to use a network that blocks VPN traffic).

CyberGhost provides apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. It’s also possible to use CyberGhost with Linux or your router, but this does require manual setup.

EASY TO USE:CyberGhost is a great beginners' choice. Strong on security and privacy. Streams HD video reliably. Unblocks most popular streaming sites. Long-term plans come with an unparalleled 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a smaller, beginner-friendly provider based in Sweden. Its network is self-owned and managed, though a little smaller than you might expect, with roughly 200 servers spread across 63 countries. Drawing from years of experience, though, we’re pleased to say that it works great with NHK, Netflix, and many similar services. Plus, a single account can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is great. There is live chat-based support, though only during European business hours.

PrivateVPN can’t match the other VPNs in this list where speed is concerned, but it still manages to provide quick enough connections for everyday tasks like live streaming or torrenting. You’ll find the results of our latest speed testing below:

Overall, this service delivered an average speed of 70.13 Mbps. That’s well above the 15 Mbps required to watch 4K content. In other words, as long as you have a reasonably quick connection (ours was 250 Mbps), you shouldn’t experience any issues while streaming.

PrivateVPN goes above and beyond on privacy. It has adjustable encryption (128-bit and 256-bit), a kill switch that can be used to close certain apps when your connection drops, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. This provider refuses to log any details of your activities, so it’s virtually impossible to track your online activities. For extra privacy, you may want to enable the Stealth mode; this is one of the only services that works in high-censorship countries like China or the UAE.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Its website provides detailed setup instructions for Linux systems and routers.

NO-FUSS STREAMING:PrivateVPN is secure, log-free, and able to access stubborn services like Netflix abroad. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Are there any other ways to get a Japanese IP address?

VPNs are the easiest way to get an IP address from Japan, but there are several other methods too. Below, we’ll discuss a few of these and explain when they might be a better option than a traditional VPN.

Method 1: Proxy servers

Proxies are similar to VPNs in that they send your internet traffic through a server somewhere else in the world. If the proxy is in Japan, you’ll effectively be browsing the web with a Japanese IP address. This can be helpful if you’re at work, for instance, and have limited app installation privileges.

However, unlike a VPN, proxy servers won’t encrypt your data. As such, whoever owns the proxy can see everything you get up to online (provided you’re on a site that doesn’t use HTTPS).

Method 2: Smart DNS services

A Smart DNS service takes DNS requests from your device and reroutes them, allowing you to access geo-blocked platforms from anywhere. This is helpful when using devices that don’t allow full VPN apps (such as Smart TVs and games consoles). There are two main downsides: most Smart DNS services don’t support Japanese streaming platforms and they don’t change your IP address; it’s just that you can effectively sidestep the need for a Japanese IP address entirely.

Method 3: Tor

The Tor Browser is primarily used to access the dark web although it can also be used as a VPN since users can choose a virtual location when creating a new identity in the settings. This can be useful if you’re in a country with strict online restrictions, though it’s worth remembering that Tor is extremely slow compared to a traditional VPN. Additionally, whoever owns the exit node you’re using can see any unencrypted traffic (or potentially interfere with it) so there’s an element of trust required.

Getting a Japanese IP address with a free VPN

There are some free VPNs with servers in Japan; however, there are a number of reasons why we caution against the use of free VPNs.

The first is that free VPNs simply offer poor performance when compared with quality paid VPNs. Free services are always popular, and this means that free VPNs attract more users than their server network can handle. Too many users and too few servers means you’ll likely have a much slower browsing experience – streaming videos will likely involve plenty of buffering and lag, which can obviously be a frustrating experience. Free VPNs know this, of course, which is why they implement low monthly bandwidth caps and try to get you to upgrade to a paid plan.

There are security reasons to reconsider too. For starters, attackers have been known to hide malware in free VPNs. Even if they’re virus-free, however, some free VPNs actually track activity and log your personal data before selling it to third parties. A VPN is supposed to provide you with greater online privacy, not compromise it. Furthermore, some free VPNs make their money by altering the code of the websites you visit and spamming you with ads. Unfortunately, some of these invasive ads can contain . It’s just not worth the risk.

Japanese IP address FAQs