Finding a reliable free VPN for Japan can be challenging. Most free VPNs have limited servers and struggle to bypass geoblocks, often imposing limitations on data and speeds. Additionally, some free VPNs compromise your privacy by logging and selling your data.
My team and I tested 50+ free VPNs and created a list of safe and effective options for Japan. These VPNs prioritize privacy and offer satisfactory speeds for streaming. Some even successfully unblock popular streaming platforms like US Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. While free VPNs typically have limitations, these choices are generally reliable and suitable for various needs.
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for Japan. Unlike free VPNs, this option provides unparalleled features including top-notch security, high-speed connections, and unlimited data. While it does come at a cost, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. In case it doesn’t meet your standards, getting a refund is easy.
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for Japan in 2023
- ExpressVPN — The best VPN I tested for Japan, offering exceptional speeds and strong security measures to protect your device. Since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it without risk.
- CyberGhost — Designed for effortless access to geoblocked streaming sites, as well as fast and private torrent downloads. Covered by a 45-day refund period.
- Proton VPN — Free VPN for Japan offering unlimited data and reliable security, but only lets you connect one device at a time.
- Avira Phantom VPN — Gives you unlimited device connections and 500MB of data per month to protect all your tech in Japan, but not suited to unblocking activities.
- Hide.me — P2P-friendly network and 10GB of free data for torrenting, but can’t help you get a Japanese IP address.
Best Free VPNs for Japan — Full Analysis (Updated 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Japan With Impressive Speeds and Robust Security
Editor’s Choice
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Tested July 2023
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| Best Feature | High-speed connections to use Japanese websites and apps without interruptions |
| Server Network | 3,000 servers in 94 countries (including Japan — Tokyo, Shibuya, Yokohama) to stream your favorite movies and shows anywhere |
| Security and Privacy | Robust encryption and strict no-logs policy safeguard sensitive information |
| Can Access | Netflix Japan, Amazon Prime Video Japan, DAZN Japan, Hulu Japan, Disney+ Japan, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, Sky, NHK, Nippon TV, TV Tokyo, HBO Max, ESPN, and more |
ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol offers fast speeds for all online activities in Japan. While most VPNs slow your connection, this one is quick enough for torrenting, gaming, or streaming in UHD. I measured an average of 88Mbps on ExpressVPN’s Japanese servers (you only need 25Mbps to stream in full HD). Connected to the Tokyo server, I had no buffering watching The Naked Director on my Netflix Japan account.
I experienced no stutter or audio delays either
The large server network means that the VPN offers reliable access to various streaming services in Japan. With the US servers, I was able to unblock my Netflix, HBO Max, and Vudu accounts while visiting Kyoto. I didn’t experience any connection issues or delays on any of the ExpressVPN servers I tested.
Your information is safeguarded with military-grade encryption, ensuring maximum data security. In addition, the VPN uses Perfect Forward Secrecy which changes the encryption key every 15 minutes. That means everything you do while connected is scrambled, so your online activities can’t be monitored in Japan. The Network Lock (kill switch) feature and IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection ensure that your real IP address stays hidden too.
While the service isn’t really free, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested the refund policy myself by asking for my money back via the 24/7 live chat — the process was easy and I got my refund within 2 days. The VPN also regularly runs deals and offers. By choosing the 12-month plan, I got a 49% discount, 3 extra months free, and paid only $6.67/month. There’s also a 7-day free trial for mobile.
Useful Features
- Split tunneling. This feature allows you to choose which apps or websites route through the VPN, providing you with flexibility and control over your online privacy.
- Easy-to-use apps. The VPN has intuitive and responsive apps for all major streaming platforms, including Linux and Android TV.
- MediaStreamer. This SmartDNS feature helps you unblock content on devices that don’t usually support VPNs, such as game consoles or smart TVs. The setup process took me under 5 minutes and allowed me to watch Netflix on Chromecast.
- Audited zero-logs policy. ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by PwC, KPMG, and Cure53. The VPN is also based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, free from any data retention laws.
2. CyberGhost — Specialty Servers for Uninterrupted Streaming and Torrenting in Japan
| Best Feature | Optimized servers for fast streaming and torrenting in Japan |
| Server Network | 9,574 servers in 91 countries overall (including Japan — Tokyo), giving you global coverage |
| Security and Privacy | An automatic kill switch and audited no-logs policy to keep your online data safe while in Japan |
| Can Access | Netflix Japan, Amazon Prime Video Japan, DAZN Japan, Hulu Japan, Disney+ Japan, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and more |
CyberGhost comes with specially optimized servers for quick torrenting and streaming in Japan. With the US torrenting server, I downloaded the movie Night of the Living Dead (1.09 GB) in under 3 minutes. Similarly, when I tried the Netflix Japan server, it easily unblocked the site and allowed me to watch 4 episodes of One Punch Man with a stable connection.
There are also servers for several Netflix and Amazon Prime regions, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more
Your data is safeguarded by AES 256-bit encryption and IPv6/DNS leak protection, shielding you from cyber threats. There’s also automatic WiFi protection that keeps you safe on public hotspots in Japan. It automatically connects you to the VPN when an unknown network is detected, giving you immediate protection. When I tested the Content Blocker feature, CyberGhost stopped ads and prevented me from accessing malicious websites too.
Using CyberGhost on any device is a breeze. The apps are intuitively laid out and you can mark your frequently used servers as “favorites” for convenient access. Additionally, you can type “Japan” into the search bar to view all of the VPN’s Japan streaming-optimized servers. Like ExpressVPN, smart DNS and router support means you can also use the VPN with devices like Echo Show and Roku.
While this is a paid service, it’s covered by a money-back guarantee that means you can try CyberGhost for free for 45 days. Just note that this refund policy only applies to the long-term subscriptions (which start at $2.11/month). The monthly plan is more expensive and only offers a 14-day refund period.
Useful Features
- Gaming servers. As well as servers for streaming and torrenting, CyberGhost has gaming-optimized servers in Frankfurt, London, New York, and Paris. So you can play with your friends at home while traveling in Japan.
- Live chat support. If you’re new to VPNs, the responsive and helpful live chat support team is available round-the-clock for assistance. I tested it and the team helped me set the VPN up with Kodi.
- Great speeds. While not as quick as ExpressVPN, the service still offers fast connections thanks to the speedy WireGuard setting. I recorded up to 82Mbps on the streaming servers (just an 18% drop from my base connection speed of 100Mbps).
3. Proton VPN — Unlimited Data to Browse and Stream Safely and Without Restrictions
| Best Feature | Unlimited data for unrestricted browsing and streaming |
| Server Network | 3 servers in 3 free locations, including servers in Japan, the US, and the Netherlands |
| Security and Privacy | IP/DNS leak protection and RAM-based servers to secure your data |
| Can Access | Netflix Japan, Amazon Prime Video Japan, DAZN Japan, Hulu Japan, Disney+ Japan, YouTube, and more |
Proton VPN offers unlimited free data, allowing uninterrupted online activities without restrictions. This is noteworthy as many free VPNs impose monthly data limits, hindering your streaming capabilities. With Proton VPN, I streamed numerous hours of Dragon Ball Super on Crunchyroll in Japan without encountering any usage limitations or location errors.
Proton VPN’s free plan covers the Netherlands, Japan, and the US, giving you access to servers on 3 continents
When testing Proton VPN, the service delivered good speeds. Despite the VPN’s claim to cap speeds on its free plan, I experienced minimal impact on my connection. I achieved average speeds of 75Mbps on the free US servers, representing only a 25% decrease. This is notably better than the 50-75% speed drops seen with other free VPNs.
With 256-bit encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, the VPN has a decent online privacy offering. Proton VPN also comes with multiple protocol options, including the speedy WireGuard, mobile-friendly IKEv2, and security-focused OpenVPN. Plus, its no-logs policy has been audited by Securitum — which is rare for a free VPN.
Like most free VPNs, there are limitations to consider. With the free plan, you don’t get access to customer support and you can only connect one device at a time. This forced me to prioritize either my smartphone or laptop for VPN usage. The free tier also only gives you access to servers in 3 countries and none of them support torrenting. That said, the free servers include Japan — so this is a decent free option for accessing Japanese sites.
Useful Features
- VPN Accelerator. This feature uses multiple technologies to bypass CPU limitations and enhance your connections, resulting in improved download speeds.
- No ads. Unlike a lot of free VPNs, Proton VPN’s free version doesn’t bombard you with in-app ads.
- Open-source app. Proton VPN is open-source, allowing code transparency and community contributions to enhance security and privacy.
4. Avira Phantom VPN — Protect All Your Devices in Japan With Unlimited Connections
| Best Feature | There’s no limit to how many devices you can use with the VPN at one time |
| Server Network | 1,400 servers in 37 countries — though desktop apps don’t let you manually select a server |
| Security and Privacy | IP/DNS leak protection and free antivirus to protect your devices in Japan |
| Can Access | Local websites only |
Avira Phantom VPN breaks the norm with unlimited device connections. I put it to the test by simultaneously connecting my Android phone, tablet, a friend’s iPhone, and a Windows 11 laptop. Despite every device being active, I enjoyed a lag-free experience playing Taiko no Tatsujin on my phone while simultaneously watching TV Tokyo on my laptop. My connection remained around 68Mbps for uninterrupted browsing and streaming.
I had no location errors and my gameplay was smooth
Similar to Proton VPN, the service provides strong online protection. The VPN uses 256-bit encryption and a strict no-logs policy to protect your personal data in Japan and beyond. The VPN also includes a built-in malware blocker and you can configure the app to launch automatically at the system start, ensuring continuous protection. Overall, I had no security concerns while testing Avira Phantom VPN.
One big downside is that the free plan doesn’t let you manually choose a server country on the desktop apps. Avira simply connects you to the fastest server for your location — so you can’t choose an IP address for unblocking content. Fortunately, the mobile apps give you full access to the whole server network.
You can use the service without registration, but that only gets you 500MB/month. If you want to increase your monthly data allowance to 1GB, sign up with your email address to get an additional 500MB of data. Just note that you can’t access customer support unless you pay for a Pro account.
Useful Features
- Leak protection. The free plan comes with DNS leak protection, which means your DNS requests (that show the sites you visit) are hidden from snoops and hackers.
- Good device compatibility. You can download Avira Phantom VPN for free on Macs, Android, iOS, and Windows. So you can put the unlimited connections to good use.
5. Hide.me — 10GB of Data and a P2P-Friendly Network for Limited Torrenting in Japan
| Best Feature | Generous free data offering for torrenting in Japan |
| Server Network | Free servers in 1 countries (not including Japanese servers) |
| Security and Privacy | AES 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN protocol for safe connections |
| Can Access | Netflix US, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and more |
Hide.me gives you 10GB of free data for easy downloads when visiting Japan. The data allowance is just about enough to download a couple of movies or a whole TV series. The VPN’s entire network is P2P-friendly, including the free servers (in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Singapore, and France). Sadly, you can’t access the Tokyo server with a free plan though.
The Bolt feature gave me a speed boost for downloading large files without issues. I downloaded a 2GB public domain film in 4 minutes and 40 seconds. Hide.me was also fast enough for streaming during my tests. On average, I measured 60Mbps, which is twice as much as what’s needed for UHD. I experienced no delays while watching xXx on Netflix in Japan, connected to the free US server.
There are powerful security features for safe P2P activity in Japan. Stealth Guard lets you customize when hide.me kicks in to prevent accidental data leaks. Additionally, the VPN provides 256-bit encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and undergoes annual transparency audits for added security.
Some features require you to restart the app to get them working
Like Proton VPN, hide.me’s free plan limits you to just one device connection at a time. This can be a bit frustrating when I want to switch from streaming on my laptop to my smartphone. That said, the VPN still offers great device compatibility and can be used with everything from desktop PCs to Amazon Fire tablets and routers.
Useful Features
- Multiple protocols. The VPN supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SSTP protocols to suit your online activities.
- 24/7 live support. Unlike many paid VPNs, hide.me provides 24/7 live chat support to assist you whenever you need it — even as a free user.
Quick Comparison Table: Japan VPN Features
If you’re having trouble deciding between my shortlisted services, here’s a convenient side-by-side comparison table to assist you in finding the ideal free VPN for Japan. The table emphasizes the availability of free servers, speed, and security, as these are crucial factors for accessing content in or outside Japan.
| VPN | Free Plan or Money-Back Guarantee? | Free Servers | Servers in Japan? | Monthly Data Limit | Simultaneous Device Connections | Average Speed | Signup Required? |
 ExpressVPN |
30-day money-back guarantee | 3,000 servers in 94 countries |  |
Unlimited | 5 | 88Mbps (12% drop) | Yes |
 CyberGhost |
45-day money-back guarantee | 9,574 servers in 91 countries | |
Unlimited | 7 | 82Mbps (18% drop) | Yes |
 Proton VPN |
Completely free | 3 servers in 3 countries | |
Unlimited | 1 with a free plan | 75Mbps (25% drop) | Yes |
| Avira Phantom VPN | Completely free | 1,400 servers in 37 countries (only on mobile apps) | |
500MB (1GB if you sign up with email) | Unlimited | 65Mbps (35% drop) | No (but it gets you more data) |
| Hide.me | Completely free | 50+ servers in 5 countries |  |
10GB | 1 with a free plan | 60Mbps (40% drop) | No |
Tips on Choosing the Best Free VPN for Japan
All the VPNs on my list offer useful features for unblocking content or protecting your privacy while in Japan. However, if you wish to run your own tests, you can use my checklist:
- Reasonable data allowance. Unlimited data means you can do whatever you want online, without restrictions — but it’s rare for free VPNs. Make sure the data on offer is enough for your needs.
- Fast speeds. Your connection should be quick enough to browse, stream, or game without any slowdowns. Look for a VPN that doesn’t slow your base speed by any more than 50%.
- Good server access. A VPN with a global server network lets you access your home content while visiting Japan. Choose a service that has servers in Japan if you want to unblock Japanese platforms.
- Robust security and privacy features. To protect your device data in Japan, choose a VPN that provides AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. These features help prevent unauthorized access to your information.
- Device compatibility. Choose a VPN that works with your chosen device. Live chat support can also be useful for help setting up on any device.
Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs Aren’t Ideal for Japan
The best VPN for Japan should let you unblock your home streaming accounts while visiting the country (or have Japanese servers for browsing local content). It shouldn’t restrict your server access, speeds, data, or bandwidth. Above all, it should be safe to use — offering you online privacy and protection against cyber threats in Japan.
Unfortunately, free VPNs always have some limitations. Most restrict the amount of data you can use in one month, while others deliberately throttle your speeds to conserve bandwidth for paid users. Some freemium services also limit which servers you can access, which is restrictive when it comes to unblocking international content while you travel.
At best, these limitations might prevent you from streaming as much as you want. At worst, some free VPNs can put your data in danger:
- They can have IP/DNS leaks. If a VPN exposes your IP address or DNS requests, your online activities can be visible to your ISP and other third parties, even when your VPN is active. This not only compromises your security but also hinders your ability to bypass geoblocks.
- They can use outdated security features. Many free VPNs lack essential security features such as a kill switch and some don’t encrypt your data at all (like proxies, Hola VPN, or HoxxVPN).
- They can contain malware and viruses. Even some reputable free VPN providers have been known to infect their users with viruses and malware (i.e. Cross VPN).
- They can come with annoying ads. Free VPNs rely on alternative revenue sources since they lack subscribers, often resulting in frequent interruptions by targeted ads.
- They can sell your data. Many free VPNs lack a transparent no-logs policy, allowing them to collect and potentially sell your personal data — including your IP address and browsing history.
While all of my recommended VPNs are safe to use, the truly free options still come with limitations. For genuinely unrestricted and private access to the internet in Japan, I suggest opting for a safe, low-cost VPN like ExpressVPN instead.
Quick Guide: How to Use a VPN for Japan in 3 Easy Steps
- Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for its excellent speeds, robust security, and global server network, perfect for accessing Japanese and international content. You can try ExpressVPN without risk (it’s backed by a 30-day money-back policy).
- Connect to a server. Choose a location that has the content you want to access. e.g. Pick Japan from the server list to access Japanese apps and websites. Or, connect to your nearest server if you just want online privacy (this gets you the best speeds).
- Start browsing. Enjoy fast and secure internet access in Japan.
FAQs on VPNs for Japan
Is it legal to use a VPN in Japan?
Yes, you can use VPNs in Japan. However, it’s important to note that engaging in illegal activities using a VPN is still prohibited. Most pornography and casino/gambling sites are blocked in the country and illegal to access. That said, it’s perfectly fine to use a VPN to protect your privacy while traveling in Japan.
If you’re outside Japan and want to use a free VPN to access Japanese content like anime, always check local laws and regulations first though. Some countries (like Russia or China) ban or block VPNs. Using a VPN to unblock content can also go against the t&cs of some streaming platforms.
How can I get a Japan IP address?
You need a VPN that offers servers in Japan. Simply choose a VPN provider that has servers located in Japan, connect to a Japanese VPN server, and your IP address will appear as if you are browsing from Japan. This allows you to access Japanese content from anywhere in the world.
On what devices can I install a free Japan VPN?
You can install a free Japan VPN on various devices. You just need to pick a free VPN that supports your chosen operating system. The recommended VPNs on this list support nearly every device, including smartphones (Android, iOS), tablets, computers (Windows, macOS), and routers. Most also offer extensions for browsers like Firefox, Edge, and Chrome. Just bear in mind that some free VPNs limit how many devices you can connect at one time.
Can I use a free VPN to access Netflix Japan?
Yes, some free VPNs work with Netflix Japan. But it’s important to note that truly free VPNs have slower speeds and data caps, which can result in a poor streaming experience. A quality VPN with a trustworthy money-back guarantee is a better alternative. Premium services have fast speeds, big networks, and no data caps. So you’re guaranteed access to Netflix JP with a fast enough connection for streaming.
Get the Best VPN for Japan
Many free VPNs for Japan are not suitable for streaming, torrenting, or ensuring online safety. They often impose speed throttling, data limitations, and have restricted server options, particularly in Japan. Worse, some free VPNs can pose risks to your safety. However, the VPNs on my list are secure and offer plenty of features for use inside and outside Japan.
My #1 pick for Japan is ExpressVPN. Unlike fully free VPNs, the service does not impose any limitations. It provides exceptional speeds, reliable unblocking capabilities, and top-notch security features — enabling you to access content within and outside of Japan with ease. Despite not being free, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. That means you can test ExpressVPN risk-free. If you don’t like it, getting a refund is easy.
