Best VPN for Japan

ExpressVPN is CNET’s Editors’ Choice for the best overall VPN by CNET and the best VPN for Japan. This recognition is attributed to ExpressVPN's lightning-fast speed, high-end security features and vast server network. ExpressVPN has the most Japanese server locations of the VPNs on this list, with three Tokyo locations (one specifically in the Shibuya ward) and one in Yokohama. There are also 17 US ExpressVPN servers. 

During our US-based testing, ExpressVPN was able to access sites like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and more when connected to US servers. Thanks to the fast speeds ExpressVPN has to offer -- only a 25% speed reduction on average -- we could stream in 4K Ultra HD on up to eight devices at once. ExpressVPN also stands out with unique security features, such as TrustedServer Technology, that ensures data never resides on a hard disk, passing through RAM-based servers instead. With 256-bit encryption, IP leak protection and a strict no-logs policy, ExpressVPN prioritizes the utmost security for user data. 

ExpressVPN works on platforms like Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Although priced at $13 monthly, Express offers discounted rates of $60 for a six-month plan and $100 for an annual plan. Despite the cost, the service's security features make it a reliable choice for safeguarding your online activities in Japan. ExpressVPN also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN is the fastest VPN for Japan and also has the largest amount of reliable server connections for Japan. In our yearly tests, NordVPN showed an average speed drop of 11%. On NordLynx -- NordVPN’s WireGuard-based protocol -- it dropped by just 3.19% on Windows and 12.56% on MacOS. With such amazing speeds, you’d never have to worry about quality reduction when streaming, slow speeds while browsing the internet in Japan or potentially having the VPN disconnect due to poor connections.

The network coverage of NordVPN is extensive, with 1,970 servers in the US spread across 16 cities alone. In Japan, you can connect to more than 130 servers in Tokyo and Osaka. This impressive coverage minimizes the need to connect to distant servers, reducing issues related to overcrowding. Besides its lightning-fast speeds, NordVPN maintains a stellar security record, offering features such as a kill switch, double VPN and live threat protection that blocks ads while surfing the web in Japan. 

Unfortunately, NordVPN has only six simultaneous device connections -- the fewest on this list. Some of NordVPN’s prices include $13 per month or $67 for the first year of the annual plan (subsequently $100 annually). If you find yourself dissatisfied with NordVPN at any point, the service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProtonVPN is the only free VPN we recommend using due to its reliable security, decent features and unlimited data usage. Normally, free VPNs have limited locations, but Proton VPN’s free plan is a great choice as it has one Japanese server location and one US server location. The free plan has decent speeds -- with a speed reduction of 36% -- for streaming Netflix’s US library and other internet activities in Japan.

However, Proton VPN's premium plan is still a good pick in Japan if you want to stream more content from other sites or need access to other servers. The paid plan offers an additional 1,600 servers in 66 locations across the globe (one of those locations being Osaka). We were also able to stream content from Netflix, Max, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus. The free plan allows for only one device connection, while the paid plans offer up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Proton VPN works on Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV and Chromebooks, which can work on up to 10 devices on the paid plan (the free plan offers only one device). Proton VPN can cost up to $10 a month or $72 per year and includes a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Surfshark is the most affordable VPN for Japan and was CNET's Editors' Choice for Best Value VPN in 2022. Although it doesn’t offer a free plan like Proton VPN, its paid plans are cheaper and provide more features than Proton VPN’s paid options. Some of those features include a wider array of streaming services it can unblock, a RAM-only server network (like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have but for cheaper) and many different options for security features. Surfshark has also gotten much faster over the last couple of years.  

The latest speed results for Surfshark averaged a 17% speed reduction overall and an 11% drop on the WireGuard protocol. With speeds like that, you’ll have no issues streaming Netflix, Max, Disney Plus and other streaming services without interruptions and with unlimited device connections. To help connection speeds, Surfshark has about 62 servers in Tokyo and over 600 servers in 25 US cities. Surfshark also has top security features like 256-bit encryption and DNS protection but also has additional features (that other VPNs don’t normally have), such as an IP rotator and Dynamic Multihop.

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, a member of the Fourteen Eyes Alliance, which isn’t great for privacy. However, Shurfshark has a no-logging policy that passed an independent no-logs audit in 2023, despite being in a country that is part of the alliance. Surfshark has the cheapest annual plan, starting at $48 for the first year and $60 for any additional years. Its two-year plan costs $53 for both years, plus two months free (which equals about $2.69 per month), but we typically recommend against plans longer than one year so you can stay flexible in case the quality of your service changes. Surfshark’s monthly plan is $13 and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.