Living in Japan means some content from your home country is geo-blocked. A VPN fixes that — and also keeps your connection secure on public Wi-Fi. Here’s what works.
Why You Need a VPN in Japan
- Watch Netflix, YouTube, and streaming services from your home country
- Access banking apps that block Japanese IP addresses
- Secure your connection on public Wi-Fi (train stations, cafes)
- Some apps and websites detect Japanese IPs and behave differently
Best VPNs for Japan
1. NordVPN — Best Overall
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 6,000+ in 111 countries |
| Speed | Fast — good for streaming HD |
| Price | From ~¥500/month (2-year plan) |
| Devices | Up to 10 simultaneously |
NordVPN is the most reliable option for Japan. Strong speeds, servers in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and everywhere else you might need, and solid app support on iOS and Android. If you want one VPN that does everything, start here.
2. ExpressVPN — Fastest Speeds
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Speed | Fastest of any VPN tested |
| Price | From ~¥1,000/month |
| Devices | Up to 8 simultaneously |
ExpressVPN is the fastest option — if buffering is your main concern, this is worth the extra cost. Works well for streaming 4K content and video calls back home.
3. Surfshark — Best Value
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 3,200+ in 100 countries |
| Speed | Very good |
| Price | From ~¥300/month (2-year plan) |
| Devices | Unlimited |
Surfshark is the cheapest option that still performs well. Unlimited devices means you can cover your phone, laptop, and tablet on one subscription. Good pick if you’re price-conscious.
Comparison
| VPN | Price | Speed | Devices | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | ~¥500/mo | Fast | 10 | All-round use |
| ExpressVPN | ~¥1,000/mo | Fastest | 8 | Streaming quality |
| Surfshark | ~¥300/mo | Very good | Unlimited | Budget pick |
How to Use a VPN in Japan
- Subscribe to a VPN service
- Download the app on your phone or computer
- Open the app and choose a server in your home country
- Your connection now looks like it’s coming from that country
Takes about 5 minutes to set up. After that it runs in the background.
Does It Work for Netflix?
Yes — NordVPN and ExpressVPN both reliably unblock Netflix libraries from the Philippines, US, UK, and other regions. Surfshark works most of the time. Results can vary by server, so try a few if one doesn’t work.
Is It Legal in Japan?
VPN use is legal in Japan. There’s no law against using one. Just use it for legal purposes (streaming, privacy, security) and you’re fine.
Bottom Line
Get NordVPN if you want the most reliable option. Get Surfshark if you want the cheapest. Either way, a VPN is one of the most useful tools you can have as a foreigner in Japan.