You’ll need to use a Japanese VPN (Virtual Private Network) server to get a Japan IP address. Then, you’ll be able to watch Japanese TV online or access your Japanese bank account from abroad with less risk of being blocked. The process is quick and simple:
- Choose a VPN provider. If you’re stuck for choice, we recommend NordVPN for a Japan IP.
- Download the desktop or mobile app for your chosen VPN and install it onto your device.
- Run the VPN software and sign into your account or create one if you haven’t already.
- Choose a VPN server in Japan and connect.
- Now, you’ll have a Japanese IP address! Simple, right? Check your IP to be sure!
Now that you have a Japanese IP address, you’ll be able to access the same websites available to a resident of Japan. That means losing a few hours to some of the unique programs offered by channels like NHK, TV Asahi, and Nippon TV! You’ll find more information and links to these channels in our full article, below.
If you’re trying to watch Japanese TV online or access your Japanese bank account abroad, you might find yourself at an impasse. Bank accounts, streaming services, and live, online TV services are some of the websites most commonly blocked to overseas internet surfers. This is a process known as geoblocking, whereby websites use geographical restrictions to limit who can view their content online. They simply ban IP addresses from outside of the country.
Thankfully, there’s a way to bypass geoblocking. By using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can spoof your IP address. When you connect to a VPN, you automatically change your IP address to mirror the IP of the VPN server. So, if you use a VPN to get a Japan IP address, you’ll be able to unblock Japanese websites that are using geoblocking software. This means you’ll be able to catch up on some of Japan’s most popular TV channels, including NHK, TV Asahi, and Nippon TV!
How to Get a Japan IP Address from Other Countries
Your IP address is a little like your home address. Just like every house on the street has its own address, so does each device on your internet network. However, much like your home address, your IP address can give away your location. Websites can use this data to see what country you’re browsing from and block you. Some companies and skilled hackers can even link this number to your real identity.
Don’t worry, though; changing your IP address is fast and simple. Once you’ve connected to a VPN and changed your IP address, you’ll have greater peace of mind. Your internet traffic will be encrypted, and people won’t be able to track your location so easily. Of course, you’ll also be able to unblock websites in your chosen country by connecting to a VPN server.
Below, we’ve laid out a step-by-step guide to getting a Japan IP address. It should only take a few minutes of your time to change your IP and get rid of those pesky geoblocks.
Get a Japan IP with our step-by-step guide:
- Decide which VPN to use. For a Japanese IP address, we recommend NordVPN. NordVPN offers some of the fastest VPN speeds in the industry and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Download NordVPN or another VPN onto your main device, whether that’s the desktop client or mobile app. Don’t worry if you have more than one device, as the best VPNs allow multiple devices under one subscription. Install the VPN client once your download has completed if you’re using a desktop app.
- Run the VPN software and create a new VPN subscription (or sign in if you did this online).
- Use the search toolbar or list of countries to choose a VPN server in Japan.
- Connect to the VPN server to change your IP address to a Japanese IP. Say sayōnara to those geoblocks, as you’ll now be able to access geo-blocked Japanese websites!
Free vs. Paid VPN: Which VPN to Choose?
Imagine if you had to choose between two cars; one is free, while the other will cost you $5-10 per month. The free car has a speed limiter fitted and will automatically shut down if you drive too far. It’s also got GPS tracking that’ll tell the car manufacturer’s marketing team where you’ve been and where you like to do your shopping. The $5-10 car has none of these limitations. Which would you choose?
This is a close comparison to the differences between paid-for and free VPNs. We’re not saying that all free VPNs are terrible – in fact, we’ve ranked the best free VPNs – but some are worth avoiding. Here’s why:
- There are fewer VPN servers to choose from. You might not even find a VPN server in Japan. It’s common for free VPNs to offer VPN servers in the most popular online destinations, such as the UK, US, and parts of Europe.
- You’ll probably hit the data cap quickly. That’s right, free VPNs almost always have a data limit. ProtonVPN is an exception, one of the VPNs we included in our free VPN ranking, which is linked above. However, Proton’s servers are generally quite slow by comparison to premium VPNs, and herein lies another issue with free VPNs: they’re usually slow by comparison to premium providers.
- There’s usually a once-device limit. This is certainly the case for most of the top free VPNs we’ve reviewed, with the exception of TunnelBear. However, while you can use TunnelBear with more than one device, their data cap is just 500MB. This is far below the 10GB offered by several of the other free VPNs we looked at.
By now, you’re probably realizing the issue. Free VPNs are lacking in a lot of key areas. Even if you find a free VPN without a data cap, you’ll probably compromise on having fewer devices supported under one subscription or fewer countries supported. If you find a free VPN that supports multiple devices, such as TunnelBear, you’ll have a much lower data cap or slower connection speeds. It’s a trade-off.
To summarize, like with anything free, you’ll probably have to make sacrifices if you don’t want to pay. The good news is that a paid-for VPN service doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. For example, Surfshark’s prices are usually some the lowest, and it’s one of our best VPNs for a Japan IP address. At the time of writing, you can get a massive 81% off Surfshark, paying just $2.49 per month.
Keep reading to find out our top 3 VPNs for a Japanese IP address, including 2 that offer the fastest VPN speeds in the industry.
Is Using a VPN for a Japan IP Safe?
It’s smart to question anything new that you’ve not seen or used before. After all, that’s the very foundation of dodging suspicious-looking websites or malicious email attachments that can leave you open to cybercrime. However, we’re here to reassure you that by using a VPN, you and your personal data will be safer online. Here’s why:
- With a VPN connection, your data is encrypted. If a hacker tries to snoop on your internet network, which often happens with unsecured public Wi-Fi, it’ll be much, much harder for them to intercept your data.
- When you connect to a VPN server, you change your IP address. We’ve already talked about how your IP can give away your location or even your identity. Well, change your IP to a Japanese IP, and your location will be far harder to track down.
- If you’re downloading files on a regular basis, a VPN will make your downloads safer and more anonymous. Take torrenting as an example; the other users in your P2P (peer-to-peer) network will be able to see your IP unless you’re using a VPN.
For more information, be sure to read up on how a VPN works. Otherwise, make sure you choose one of the best VPNs, and you’ll be far safer and harder to track when you go online. On that note and without further ado, here’s our rundown of the best VPNs for a Japan IP:
The Best VPN for a Japan IP Address
Now that you know all about the advantages of a VPN, it’s time to find the best VPN for you. To give you some choice, we’ve picked one of the fastest VPNs, a second provider that offers the greatest selection of VPN servers across the world, and a third that’s one of the cheapest premium VPNs.
1. NordVPN: The best VPN for fast connection speeds with a Japanese IP
- 5,100+ VPN servers across the globe
- 80 VPN servers in Japan
- 256-bit AES military grade encryption
- Support for up to 6 devices on one subscription
- Some of the fastest VPN speeds available from a premium provider (600-800Mbps)
- Advanced security and privacy features
- DNS leak protection (and testing!)
Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN appeared around the end of the noughties. Today, it’s widely regarded as one of the best VPNs in the industry. Even in the face of streaming services fighting back against VPNs, NordVPN remains capable of unblocking Netflix abroad, in addition to a whole host of other streaming platforms. It also offers some of the most comprehensive security features available from a VPN service, including a password manager (NordPass) and cloud storage (NordLocker).
With a subscription to NordVPN, you get a kill switch, strong encryption, access to torrenting, and dedicated IPs. You can also opt for other services, including double VPN connections, which offer even greater security. And while NordVPN doesn’t offer the greatest selection of countries – with around 59 as opposed to ExpressVPN’s 94 – NordVPN does have almost twice as many servers.
You may only be looking to get a Japanese IP address, but given the advantages of a VPN, you might want to keep your subscription. With NordVPN, you can’t really go wrong. If you do remain a subscriber, you’ll be benefiting from some of the best VPN security features and connection speeds available in the industry right now.
2. ExpressVPN: The best VPN for unblocking websites in Japan and worldwide
- Simple, newbie-friendly user interface
- The biggest selection of countries offered by a VPN provider, including Japanese IPs
- 3,000+ VPN servers worldwide
- ExpressVPN promises a strictly no-log policy for personal and browsing data
- Supports up to 5 devices under one subscription plan
- One of the fastest VPNs available
- Get a 30-day money-back guarantee with your Japanese IP address!
ExpressVPN has been our preferred VPN service for a while now. With more than a decade’s experience, ExpressVPN has had time to build a polished product. With this VPN, you’ll have a choice of 160 VPN server locations spread across 94 countries. In total, thats 3000+ VPN servers to choose from! There’s support for up to 5 devices on a single subscription, and it’s one of the fastest VPNs available.
The speed and reliability of ExpressVPN’s servers are why this is one of the best VPNs for unblocking Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Peacock, and more! You’ll also benefit from great customer service, a user-friendly interface, and the ability to access and download torrents. The only real drawback worth discussing here is that ExpressVPN is a little on the pricey side.
3. Surfshark: The best VPN for saving money on a Japanese IP address
- We’ve already talked about the low subscription fees
- Surfshark can unblock Netflix while abroad
- Surfshark won’t log your data
- Connect unlimited devices to this VPN under a single subscription
- Torrenting is not blocked
- Extra features include AdBlocker, NoBorders Mode, and split tunneling.
Surfshark burst onto the VPN scene in 2019 with incredible connection speeds, strong encryption, and subscription fees that surprised us. While the monthly cost is around $12.95, a 2-year subscription reduces this cost massively. Initial functionality included just an Android app and a browser extension, but today, you can download Surfshark for desktop or iOS.
With just one subscription, you can connect unlimited devices, so you can keep the whole family safe when traveling abroad or just surfing at home. In terms of other privacy and security features, Surfshark offers a kill switch, ad blocking, GPS spoofing, and the ability to unblock Netflix in other countries. Critically, this VPN won’t log your data.
Why Should I Get a Japanese IP Address?
Why use a Japanese IP address? It really depends on what you’re trying to do. If you’re usually resident in Japan, it’s a good idea to download a VPN that offers Japanese VPN servers before you leave. While abroad, you could find that your bank or social media accounts are blocked to overseas visitors. At the very least, logging in on a VPN with a Japanese IP will reduce your risk of being locked out by systems that try to detect fraudulent activity.
If you’re not resident in Japan, you might just want to watch Japanese TV online. In fact, in 2021, there were likely thousands of people trying to get a Japanese IP in a hurry! The 2021 Tokyo Olympics banned overseas visitors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and watching the games online was the only way for a fan to enjoy them from abroad. Otherwise, you can see what Japanese TV is all about by unblocking popular TV channels such as:
While not all of these websites are geoblocked, you’ll certainly reduce the obstacles in your way if you use a VPN to get a Japanese IP address.
What Should I Look For in a VPN for a Japanese IP?
If you’d like to do a bit more research on which VPN to use before making a choice, that’s fine. Here are a few things to consider when comparing VPNs for a Japanese IP address:
- Choose a VPN that offers fast connection speeds. You’ll struggle to watch Japanese TV online with a free VPN for example, due to the data limitations and poorer connection speeds.
- Find the best VPNs for unblocking streaming services. If you want to use your VPN to unblock Netflix or any other streaming service, choose carefully. Netflix has succeeded in blocking some VPN providers from its platform. The three VPNs we’ve highlighted in this article all currently work with Netflix.
- Consider whether you want support for more than one device. Surfshark lets you connect unlimited devices under one subscription. However, the 5-6 devices supported by ExpressVPN and NordVPN should be enough for most users too.
Of course, the most important thing to remember is that you need a VPN provider with servers in Japan. Again, with a premium VPN, this should be a given. Not all free VPNs will offer Japanese VPN servers.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to take internet access for granted. Unfortunately, there are many people around the world facing harsh content restrictions. However, with a VPN, you can bypass blocked websites in Japan or anywhere else and enjoy unrestricted access! You’ll also have greater security when going online.
Our best VPN for a Japan IP is NordVPN. In addition to having more than 5,000 VPN servers worldwide, it’s one of the fastest VPNs you’ll find right now. And with a decade’s experience polishing their service, you’ll struggle to find a VPN that combines such great connection speeds with advanced security options!
Looking for IP addresses in different countries? Check out some of our other articles down below:
If you want to unblock Japanese websites that use geoblocking, you’ll need to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). With a VPN, you can connect to a VPN server in Japan to change your IP address to a Japan IP! Check out our FAQ on this process below.
If you’ve got a few minutes spare, then check out our step-by-step guide below. You can get a Japanese IP address in no time with a low-cost subscription:
- Decide which VPN you’re going to use. We recommend NordVPN for a Japan IP.
- Download the software client or mobile app for your chosen VPN.
- Install and run the software, then create a VPN account.
- Use the software to find a VPN server in Japan.
- Hit connect to change your IP address to a Japanese IP!
Read on for more information and the best VPNs for a Japanese IP address.
If you want to watch Japanese TV online, you might find that some websites aren’t geoblocked. However, the same can’t be said for all of Japan’s most popular TV channels. So, use a VPN to find and connect to a Japanese VPN server, and you’ll be browsing with a Japanese IP address. This means you’ll be able to access some of the most popular channels online, including:
- NHK
- Nippon TV
- TV Asahi
Check out this guide on getting a Japanese IP for an expanded list of TV channels that you can unblock with a Japanese IP address!
While it’s illegal to install a VPN on your device in neighboring China, Japan has not banned VPNs. In fact, Japanese internet is largely restriction-free. The most common blocks you’re likely to encounter are due to geographical broadcasting restrictions put in place by TV companies or streaming services. You can read up on the legality of VPNs in our article, “Are VPNs legal?”.
