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Whenever you face geo-restrictions while streaming, browsing, gaming, or doing anything online, the best way out is to change your IP address to another country.
Geo-restrictions are very common, especially on streaming platforms like Netflix, which has different content libraries for other countries. If you love watching Japanese movies, channels like TV Tokyo or NHK, or accessing Japanese services, it will be increasingly difficult to do it abroad, unlike those in the home country.
A Japanese IP address will unblock Japanese content and help you access your favorite movie, TV channel, bookie, and service anywhere, even abroad. Netflix Japan surely has a lot of great movies and anime content, such as My Hero Academia, which you can only watch if you are in Japan or have a Japanese IP address.
You can get your own IP address from Japan easily with a VPN. A VPN is your surest plug to access geo-restricted content in Japan and other countries, including Australia, the UK, the US, France, China, Canada, Spain, etc.
A VPN, meaning Virtual Private Network, can help change the location of your browsing or internet device. When you connect to a VPN server, it encrypts your device’s traffic, hides your device’s real IP address, and replaces your IP address with the IP address of the country you are connected to.
For instance, if you connect to a VPN server in Japan, it gifts you a Japanese IP address, making it look like you are based in Japan.
Getting a VPN to get a Japanese IP address shouldn’t be the only agenda on your menu; you should also look out for online privacy and internet security.
Sadly, not all VPNs out there will protect your online privacy after giving you the IP address you choose. Some VPNs don’t have a server in Japan, meaning they can’t get you a Japanese IP address. Likewise, some VPNs with Japanese servers lack some essential features and may even have poor connection speeds, which will surely give you a headache.
There are also free VPNs that may have Japanese servers, but using them is not advisable because they put your security, data, and online privacy at risk. They compromise your security by selling your information to third parties (that’s how free VPNs make their money anyway). A premium VPN should have a no-logs policy, which prevents your data from getting into the hands of the Japanese military or any third party.
Don’t worry because, in this article, I will show you the best and most reliable VPNs for getting a Japanese IP address today. With these VPNs, you will no longer be blocked from accessing Japanese movies and TV channels outside Japan.
Speaking of VPNs, my favorite VPN is ExpressVPN. Over time, I have used this VPN, and I don’t mind recommending it to my readers due to its top-notch service. There are several VPNs out there, but ExpressVPN remains the top choice for its combination of quality features, security, fast speeds, and customer support.
How To Get a Japanese IP Address
Using a VPN, you can quickly get a Japanese IP address on your smartphone, laptop, FireStick device, WiFi router, smart TV, laptop, or any device.
Thankfully, VPNs are easy to use, but if you don’t have experience using them, we will guide you and provide you with simple steps to set them up and use them. Follow the steps below, and you are good to go:
1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN
As mentioned, the first step to getting a Japanese IP address is finding a good Japan VPN. Lots of VPN providers out there provide multiple servers in countries like the US, UK, and others and have little or no servers in places like Japan, making it difficult to get an IP from Japan.
If you are looking for where to get a Japanese IP address, the best place to go is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs in the world. It has thousands of servers in many countries, including Japan.
ExpressVPN has various VPN servers in four Japanese cities – 2 locations in Tokyo, alongside Shibuya and Yokohama. Apart from its large server network, ExpressVPN boasts high-end security features, intuitive apps, fast streaming speeds, torrenting support, and 24/7 customer support.
Connecting to an ExpressVPN Japanese server will help you get an IP from Japan, allowing you access to Japanese channels, movies, anime, and all forms of content from Japan.
While ExpressVPN offers an excellent service, it isn’t free to use. ExpressVPN is a premium VPN provider with servers in many parts of the world. No free VPN has outclassed or matched ExpressVPN in terms of quality, functionality, and features.
You can subscribe to ExpressVPN here or use the button below. ExpressVPN is currently running promo deals and you can get a 49% discount and three months free when you sign up for their annual plan. All subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which lets you use the service risk-free.
2. Download and Install ExpressVPN
Subscribing to ExpressVPN gives you full access to its apps and services. As you know, ExpressVPN supports a variety of platforms, including Android phones, iPhones, tablets, iOS devices, Macs, Windows PCs, laptops, smart TVs, and more.
Once you subscribe to ExpressVPN, you are granted access to the service on any platform or device you are using. So if you are using a smartphone, you can download and install the app on your device.
Installing the VPN is like installing any app or software. You simply download the app, follow the prompts in the setup wizard, and finish the installation.
After downloading the app on your device, sign in using your credentials. Doing this will take you to your ExpressVPN dashboard.
3. Connect to a Japanese server
The last step is to connect to a server in Japan. This will help you get a Japanese IP address. To get a Japan IP from your ExpressVPN dashboard, click the three horizontal dots, select All Locations, click on Asia, and find Japan from the list of countries provided.
Once you find Japan, double-click on it, and you will be connected to the server. Alternatively, you can click the arrow next to Japan to see all available server locations in the region.
One of the things you can do after connecting to the Japanese VPN server is to confirm your IP address. Sites like whatismyipaddress.com or iplocation.net will show you your IP and the location.
If your IP is in Japan, that means your device is VPN-protected, and you can access Netflix Japan and all forms of geo-restricted content from the region.
Best VPNs For Getting a Japanese IP Address
When searching for a VPN to get a Japan IP, there are many options out there to choose from. Let’s have a look at some of the best VPN providers for this purpose:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN provider for getting a Japan IP. It has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and Japan.
Its large server network lets you get a Japanese IP address and unlock Netflix Japan without lag or buffering. ExpressVPN has server locations in Yokohama, Tokyo, and other Japanese areas from which you can choose. You can go through the server list anytime and choose the fastest server for your needs.
ExpressVPN gives you fast servers that are optimized for streaming. This VPN works with several streaming websites, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and more. So, if you are facing geo-restrictions on any streaming platform, use ExpressVPN, which has been tested to unlock various streaming sites.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN offers up to five simultaneous connections, allowing you to connect more devices in your home. ExpressVPN’s robust security features distinguish them from other VPN providers. You will surely enjoy split tunneling, AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, and the kill switch feature offered by the company.
You get full leak protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks, which can unmask your real IP address. This VPN does a good job blocking ad trackers that monitor your internet activity and block connections to malicious websites.
ExpressVPN is easy to use; it has apps for almost all devices, including FireStick, Linux, Android, Windows, iOS, and Mac, alongside browser extensions for Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. Also, they provide video guides showing you how to use the ExpressVPN platform.
Contact the support team if you have any issues or run into any problems. ExpressVPN has 24/7 live customer support. Instead of chatting with a bot, you chat with a real person who understands how you feel and what you need – you won’t find this feature on most VPN providers.
ExpressVPN offers monthly and yearly plans, and they can access various payment methods, including cryptocurrency, credit card, and PayPal. All subscriptions are covered with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you need a VPN with fast and secure Japanese servers, try ExpressVPN.
Pros
- Fast connection speeds.
- Fast servers.
- Unblocks multiple streaming platforms.
- Apps for various devices.
- Easy to use.
- Doesn’t compromise on security.
- Zero-logs policy.
- Provide top-grade security features.
- Quality customer support.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons
- Pricey.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is known for having one of the biggest networks of servers in the VPN industry. It boasts a fleet of over 5,500 servers, with more than 130 Japanese servers.
With NordVPN’s large server network, you won’t have problems finding a server to unblock geo-restricted content in Japan. Whether using the service from the UK, Australia, the USA, or Japan, you get top-notch VPN security on your device.
NordVPN is compatible with several devices and can be used on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, Fire TV, Firefox, Linux, Chrome, etc. Some users have tried and successfully used the service on their smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers. Awesomely, NordVPN offers up to six simultaneous connections, which essentially provides VPN coverage on six devices in your home simultaneously.
Over time, NordVPN has shown its potency in unblocking content in many streaming websites and services, including premium and free streaming platforms. Thanks to its large server network, NordVPN is a go-to service for unblocking several Netflix libraries. Apart from Netflix, it also unblocks content on other popular streaming services, including BBC Player, Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, HBO, and many more.
NordVPN offers features and benefits similar to those obtainable from ExpressVPN. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone as both companies are premium VPN providers and will give their customers great value for their money.
NordVPN stands out from the crowd for offering features that are hard to find in other VPNs. Particularly, I am a fan of the dedicated IP address feature it provides. With this feature, you don’t get to share the same IP address with others using the same server you are connected to.
Moreover, you are assured of a greater level of security when using NordVPN. What’s the point of using a VPN if it can’t secure your device or browsing activity? You must be curious to know the privacy and security features NordVPN comes with.
To start with, NordVPN has a zero-logs policy, ensuring your private data will not be saved, collected, published, or tracked by anyone. That’s not all; it has a Threat Protection tool that blocks all ads and trackers. This tool further secures your device from all kinds of online threats, including malware, botnet attacks, and phishing.
You get a Dark Web Monitor that notifies you when your information gets on the dark web. NordVPN provides 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, a Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN servers for optimal security. Other security features you will get when you subscribe to NordVPN include split tunneling, an automatic internet kill switch, RAM-only servers, and DNS leak protection.
NordVPN also gives you fast speeds and stable connections on any server you are connected to. You can stream in HD and enjoy the video content without buffering. With NordVPN, you can get a Japanese IP address, watch Japanese TV channels, and watch movies on Netflix Japan library. You can also use the service to get the IP address of any country you want, as long as the country is in their channel list for your plan.
NordVPN plans are affordable, and you can get them without breaking the bank. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s literally no risk involved in trying out NordVPN.
Pros
- Large server network.
- Multiple Japanese servers to choose from.
- Unblocks streaming platforms.
- Watch Japanese content outside of Japan.
- Dedicated IP address option.
- Responsive customer support service.
- Works on several devices.
- Fast streaming speeds.
Cons
- No on-call support.
3. Surfshark
SurfShark is one of the budget-friendly VPNs on the planet. This service makes it easy for anyone to get a Japanese IP address. Despite its affordable and pocket-friendly VPN plans, Surfshark offers features similar to those on NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
It offers numerous security features to protect your device and online activity. Some advanced privacy features Surfshark offers include a kill switch, DNS leak protection, WebRTC leak protection, and protection from IPv6 leaks. It also provides 246-bit encryption coupled with other protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN.
Surfshark has a no-logs policy, so they record any internet traffic logs, so your activity cannot be tracked or traced to you.
Furthermore, it scans your device for malware occasionally and blocks intrusive ads. With Surfshark, you can easily get a Japanese IP address without spending much on VPN subscriptions.
Amazingly, it has an IP Rotator feature that lets you switch your IP address to a different country without disrupting your connection. That means you can smoothly change from a UK server to a Japanese server without breaking your connection.
SurfShark offers high-speed servers in over 100 countries, including Japan, allowing you to access Japanese content and services from anywhere globally. Amazingly, their fast servers will enable you to use the internet normally and watch content in the highest quality.
SurfShark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, making it the ideal VPN for large families and households. Since this VPN has no connection limit, you don’t have to go through the stress of installing the VPN on your router to secure every device in your home.
Even if you don’t know how to set up a VPN, you won’t experience any hassle configuring this VPN because it is easy to use. Surfshark has a user-friendly interface and a rich library of tutorials and troubleshooting guides to help non-technical users.
Surfshark provides apps for several platforms, such as Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, Mac, and more. Their plans are generally affordable, so if you are searching for cheap VPN services, my #1 recommendation is Surfshark. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee when you get any Surfshark plan.
Pros
- Incredibly affordable.
- Provides strong security features, including kill switch and split tunneling.
- IP rotator.
- Allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Zero logs policy.
- Comes with fast, reliable servers.
- Great for large families.
- Supports multiple platforms and devices.
- Allows anonymous payments via crypto.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Servers can be slow at times.
4. CyberGhost VPN
Another VPN you can try, especially if you want to torrent or stream on Japanese servers, is CyberGhost VPN. CyberGhost has one of the largest server networks in the VPN industry. This service has over 9,000+ servers worldwide in more than 90 countries, with more than 100 Japan servers.
If you wish to get a Japanese IP address to access any Japanese service or watch Japanese content from around the world, CyberGhost isn’t a bad option.
CyberGhost offers more than just ordinary servers. Rather, they have specialized streaming servers that are reliable and trusted for Amazon Prime, DAZN, Hulu, Netflix Japan, and more. For optimal streaming experience, their servers are optimized and tested to provide the best speeds and performance on each streaming platform.
My streaming experience with CyberGhost’s servers has been great for the most part. When it come to speed, I enjoyed fast connections with this VPN as websites loaded almost instantly, and streaming content took a few seconds before playing. While CyberGhost servers are consistent and quick, they lag behind ExpressVPN.
Let’s have a look at the security features CyberGhost offers. It has a strict, no-logs policy, so they don’t keep records of your activity. It offers WebRTC and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, RAM-only servers, and 256-bit AES encryption.
It is safe to say CyberGhost is one of the safest and most trusted VPNs on the market. I like the fact that this VPN deactivates IPv6 connections by default. I also don’t have to worry about malware because they have a Content Blocker that prevents me from visiting or using malicious websites on my device. This feature will benefit you if you use free streaming sites to watch movies, sports games, and TV shows.
CyberGhost has apps for multiple platforms, including Amazon FireStick, Android, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and more. Regardless of your device, you will find the CyberGhost interface very easy to use. When it comes to using the platform, I am sure you won’t have any issues setting it up or connecting to any server.
The CyberGhost app interface was designed for beginners and newbies in mind. Choosing a country and server to connect to isn’t a big deal and can be done in a few clicks. Let’s say you want to connect to one of the 100+ Japanese servers in its server list. All you have to do is search for and select Japan from the server list, which is organized in alphabetical order.
Another thing you can do on the CyberGhost app is to save a server as one of your favorites. This will save you time searching for the server and help you easily connect to it. This service has a feature known as Smart Rules that lets you set your connection preferences. You can customize your connection through this feature by configuring CyberGhost to automatically connect you to your favorite Japanese server whenever you open the app.
As I mentioned, CyberGhost has a user-friendly interface. All servers in the app can be found on the left side of the dashboard and are classified as all servers, gaming servers, streaming servers, and torrenting servers. At the time of writing, there are no gaming servers in Japan. Also, CyberGhost supports P2P traffic on its dedicated torrenting servers.
Additionally, CyberGhost VPN supports seven simultaneous connections. They have affordable plans, which are backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost accepts several payment methods, and you can pay for your subscription using a debit/credit card, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or Bitcoin.
Pros
- Affordable but premium VPN service.
- No logs policy.
- Robust server network.
- Offers up to 100 Japan servers.
- Offers a variety of servers.
- Fast streaming servers.
- Seven simultaneous connections.
- Generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Easy to use and set up.
- Ideal for beginners.
Cons
- Doesn’t work in China.
5. IPVanish
IPVanish gives you the benefit of having a Japanese IP address with unlimited simultaneous connections. IPVanish has remained in the top tier list of the best VPNs due to its excellent security features and performance.
You will be relieved knowing that IPVanish has you covered. It has a zero-log policy as well as 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
IPVanish offers over 2,000 servers worldwide, with 20 of these servers based in Tokyo. The benefit of this huge server network is that it allows you to bypass geo-blocks and unblock multiple streaming platforms.
You can access content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming apps when connected to an IPVanish server. This service hides your real IP address and gives you an IP address from the server or country you are connected to.
I didn’t have any buffering issues or streaming complications while using streaming using IPVanish. My internet speeds were strong, and I watched HD movies on Amazon Prime and Netflix.
IPVanish has apps on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. It can also be used on Linux and routers but requires manual installation.
The IPVanish interface is straightforward to use. You can filter your search for servers by country, city, and latency. IPVanish has affordable VPN plans, which come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You have the option of subscribing anonymously.
Overall, IPVanish provides quality customer support, and it is a great option for anyone looking to share a VPN connection with friends and family.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Ideal for people with large homes or multiple devices.
- Fast connection speeds.
- Huge server network, including servers in Tokyo, Japan.
- Kill switch.
- No logs policy.
- Available on several platforms.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons
- Based in the United States.
6. AtlasVPN
Atlas VPN deserves a place on this list despite being a new player in the industry. This service offers around 1,000 servers in over 50 countries, including Japan. What’s more interesting is that you can access platforms such as Netflix JP and Hulu, which aren’t VPN-friendly.
AtlasVPN cares about your privacy and device security. They offer a 256-bit encryption as well as a kill switch. It also ensures DNS and IPv6 leak protection.
It is important to note that AtlasVPN has a zero-log policy. So, they won’t keep any records of your web activity. This service provides special Privacy Pro servers that constantly change your IP address, making it difficult for hackers and your ISP to monitor your online activity. They also have automatic tracker-blocking tools and a built-in data breach monitor to boost online security.
Atlas VPN has apps for several platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS, FireStick, and Android. They also have a stable 24/7 customer support service that you can always access should you encounter any issues with their platform.
Visit atlasvpn.com to check out their subscription plans. Each plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- No logs policy.
- High-speed servers.
- Reasonably-priced subscription plans.
- 256-bit AES encryption
- DNS and IPv6 leak protection.
- Unlocks content in streaming platforms.
- 24/7 customer support service
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons
- Small server network.
- Lacks router support.
Conclusion
Getting a Japanese IP can’t be difficult once you follow all the steps and recommendations in this article. Remember, you will need a VPN for this, so it is always important to go for one that will give you what you need.
ExpressVPN remains the most reliable choice because it provides you with up to four Japanese locations, and if you don’t like it, you can request a refund within the first 30 days of your subscription.
Other affordable VPN providers for this purpose are NordVPN and Surfshark. These VPNs offer top security features and keep your data private and secure.
Free VPNs with Japanese servers may seem appealing, but they do not offer long-term benefits. These VPNs typically feature slow speeds, limited bandwidth, and poor security features, which makes them fall short of what VPNs stand for. The best VPN for Japanese IP addresses is ExpressVPN.
We hope this helped. You can also read this guide to see how to get an Australian IP address.