How to Get a Japanese IP Address

Once you develop an interest in a content (TV show, podcast, music, or e-book), you derive exceeding joy from listening to, watching, or reading it (as the case may be). However, it is no news that geo-censor is a growing restriction scheme in the cyber world today. So, what do you do when your favorite Japanese shows are not available in your new location? A VPN might just be what you need.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) walks you past that troubling restriction and gives you the most fantastic streaming experience you could ask for. Even though different VPNs have different sets of features, they all aim to bypass geo-restrictions. You can take advantage of that to unblock your favorite Japanese shows even while you’re not in Japan.

Why Do You Need a Japanese IP Address?

Content libraries on video streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Japan and CrunchyRoll are usually restricted to users in Japan. Invariably, you can’t access those restricted libraries once you step out of Japan.

Those platforms can lock you out because they can read your IP address to know you’re not in the country. A VPN puts an end to your worries regardless of where you are. It gives your device a new IP address that makes the geo-restricted platform “see” you as being in Japan, hence removing the embargo.

A premium VPN also does an excellent job securing your connection and helping you maintain top-notch privacy throughout your connection time. Now, the question is, “Why don’t you need a Japanese IP address?”

Top VPNs That Gives a Japanese IP Address

Moving on, we dive into the depths of reviewing some of the best VPNs available for this purpose. The VPNs to be discussed all have servers in Japan, which means they can assign you a Japanese IP address.

ExpressVPN

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Key features

  • No logging of personal data
  • Excellent customer support
  • Over 3000 servers
  • Fast and reliable speeds

ExpressVPN is a top-tier VPN provider, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that it’s ranked highly on this list. This VPN service has 3,000+ servers globally, and 3 of those speedy servers are dedicated to Japan. The servers are incredibly stable and embodied with other features discussed as follows.

This VPN service easily dissolves any form of restriction put on content. You get to access the video libraries restricted to Japan even if you’re on vacation in Europe. A typical ExpressVPN server masks your IP address and gives you unlimited bandwidth to stream your now unblocked content.

After content unblocking, ExpressVPN is just getting started. Even though the servers are super-stable, the VPN service prevents any intrusion by hackers if the server connection drops. Despite that, ExpressVPN does not keep tabs on your online activity. Since there’s no record of what you do online, you can’t be snooped on even if ExpressVPN gets compromised in the future.

The VPN provider implements military-grade encryption into the service. So it is virtually impossible to hack into your connection or steal your data during transmission. Also, ExpressVPN runs a private Domain Name System (DNS) to enhance speed and security. This VPN has a split tunneling feature and allows you to connect up to 5 devices with just one subscription.

NordVPN

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Key features

  • Super-affordable
  • Cryptocurrency payments allowed
  • Compatible with all devices
  • Optimized servers with AES 256-bit encryption

NordVPN ranks highly because of its massive server count in Japan. Out of over 5,500 servers in 59 countries, this VPN has 80 in Japan alone. Those servers are bolt-fast and do not lag. If you’re looking to download or upload any sort of file at breakneck speed, NordVPN is the answer.

NordVPN answers a lot of other things. One of them is video streaming. The VPN has a SmartPlay feature that eases you into the art of seamless streaming without bandwidth restrictions. Even if you’re not in Japan, you can still watch the most interesting Japanese TV shows like GYAO or AbemaTV by just connecting to a NordVPN Japanese server.

In a bid to prioritize your anonymity, this VPN uses a kill switch and operates a no-log policy. The kill switch protects you from potential hacker harassment, while the no-log policy basically keeps your online business away from second and third parties. Also, NordVPN uses DNS leak protections and Onion-over VPN features.

Furthermore, you get protection two times better because NordVPN has a DoubleVPN feature to that effect. To top it off, your traffic is encrypted with the all-robust Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-256). The security is built to perfection, and with this VPN service, you won’t be interrupted by ads when you stream those Japanese movies— its CyberSec feature makes that possible. You can connect six devices simultaneously to one NordVPN-enabled device.

Surfshark

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Key features

  • Ads and tracking blocker
  • Connects unlimited devices simultaneously
  • Excellent speed
  • 24/7 customer support

Coming third in this article doesn’t directly suggest inferiority to the two above. Surfshark has 1,700+ servers distributed across 60+ countries, including Japan. The servers are integrated with the best of features and are ultimately very fast, so this is definitely one of the very best too.

You can surf the internet limitlessly and stream shows like Naruto and Pokémon on “TV Tokyo” without any fault. Surfshark masks your IP address to help you bypass those censors and give you a lovely time watching. This VPN service doesn’t limit the amount of data you can download or upload; it’s totally up to you.

If by any chance, your connection with the VPN drops while you’re surfing the Japanese webspace, you’ll be left susceptible to snoop attacks. To counter that, Surfshark has a kill switch to trip off your internet connection at the moment the connection drops. Also, as you’d expect of any top VPN, this VPN provider doesn’t keep data logs of your online activity.

Surfshark still means business as regards security. It encrypts your traffic with 256-bit AES. Similar to the DoubleVPN feature on NordVPN, Surfshark encrypts your data through multiple servers— MultiHop. It also has a Whitelister that functions like the split tunneling feature on ExpressVPN. Surfshark blocks ads and malware from your webspace and allows you to connect as many devices as you want to one subscription.

CyberGhost

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Key features

  • Been around for a long time
  • Robust and fast servers
  • Many servers in Japan

This VPN service is nicknamed “the rookie VPN” not because it’s rated so lowly compared to others, but because its user interface is extremely easy to navigate through. CyberGhost is another top-tier VPN provider. It has massive server numbers with over 7,000 high-speed servers across the world. Most importantly, it has 71 servers in Japan.

Those Japan servers are optimized for streaming purposes, so you can’t lose sleep over streaming lags and buffering. CyberGhost gives you access to shows like NicoNico even while you’re outside Japan and makes the streaming very exciting.

CyberGhost observes a strict no-log policy. With that, even if the government legally requests for timestamps of your traffic activities, they can’t provide it because they never keep records of it. Also, CyberGhost employs the services of a kill switch, all in a bid to ensure your connection remains private.

Finally, this VPN integrates OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard® protocols and has DNS and IP leak protection. CyberGhost secures your connection with military-grade encryption to make it air-tight, inaccessible to hackers. It also allows up to 7 devices to be connected at once.

ProtonVPN

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Key features

  • Best free VPN on the market
  • Easy to use Android app
  • Superb security features

ProtonVPN is generally regarded as “the privacy VPN.” It has its headquarters in Switzerland, and that’s why it’s so much of a big deal in terms of privacy. Out of 1,000+ servers, ProtonVPN dedicates 23 to Japan, and that’s just one of the several reasons why it easily makes this list.

ProtonVPN has ultra-fast servers, and to the best abilities in the market, those servers are stable and do not drop in connection often. This VPN is great for streaming, but streaming is reserved for their “Plus and Visionary” subscribers. You can’t enjoy content streams on the “Free and Basic” versions. Like every other VPN on this list, you have to pay to use such an exclusive service.

This VPN service does not keep a record of your online activities and timestamps. Being a Swiss-based VPN makes this policy enforceable because Switzerland has one of the best privacy laws in the world. Also, you get to enjoy the services of a kill switch.

It only uses the security protocols that have been confirmed to be entirely secure. ProtonVPN also uses the ultimate encryption standard— AES-256 and sticks to its Perfect Forward Secrecy policy. With ProtonVPN, you can protect up to 10 devices with just one subscription.

HideMyAss

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Key features

  • Many servers in Japan
  • Safe and secure VPN
  • Good choice for Android

The official mascot of this VPN provider is a donkey (an ass), and it represents your IP address. So it’s not vulgar to want to “Hide Your Ass” from hackers and other cyber crooks. The VPN has over 1,100 servers across the globe. 4 of those servers are dedicated to Japan. You get to choose to connect to any of the 46 Japanese IP addresses available.

As HideMyAss (HMA) keeps you anonymous via your IP address, the disguise of any of the 46 servers gives you access to geo-blocked content in Japan. This simultaneously makes you unidentifiable to cyber snoops. Netflix Japan is made accessible with just one click.

HMA has a unique IP Shuffling mechanism that randomly changes your IP address at set time intervals. The aim of randomizing your IP address is to cancel out the possibility of a hacker studying traffic patterns to identify you. The VPN service also has a no-log policy duly audited in conjunction with a smart kill switch.

On a progressive note, HMA uses 256-bit AES and has a dedication to protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. HMA allows you to match your device’s internet connection to the VPN service such that you get protected immediately when you switch on your mobile data. Finally, it has a split tunneling feature and frees up slots for five devices connected to one subscription.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

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Key features

  • Allows IP cloaking
  • Access to US domains
  • 3000+ Servers in over 25 countries
  • Supports over 30 devices, including IOS and Android

At first sight, this VPN mirrors two things— privacy and access. Private Internet Access (PIA) has 19,600+ servers in 76 world countries, including Japan. PIA is not the fastest of the VPNs, but there’s no noticeable lag in performance, and it speeds up well enough for streaming content.

Having servers in Japan indirectly means it has the potential to bypass geo-restrictions in Japan: PIA lives up to that expectation. It is well-knitted to support streaming Japanese content from anywhere in the world. It also offers unlimited bandwidth of data to that effect.

PIA keeps a strict no-log policy. Furthermore, the VPN doesn’t store timestamps and content you access even as you stream. Despite a change in ownership of the company, PIA stays true to that course. It also uses a kill switch.

This VPN service encrypts your traffic data with the best-in-class AES-256 standard, so your security is entirely secured. Besides, PIA offers leak protection protocols, including WireGuard®, IPSec/L2TP, PPTP, and SOCKS5 technologies. The VPN has ad and malware blockers, and it allows up to 10 devices connected simultaneously.

Steps on How to Get a Japanese IP Address

Navigate through the steps highlighted below to get yourself a Japanese IP address.

1. Sign-up: Register by creating an account with the VPN provider. Then choose a subscription plan, and make payment through any acceptable means.

2. Install: Download the VPN application from its official website and install it. You can also install it directly from your device’s app store.

3. Login: Open the installed VPN software and log in with your registered email address and password.

4. Select a Japanese server: Scroll through in the “Location” section and select Japan. Connect to any of the servers under it.

5. Adjust options and advanced features to your satisfaction. You might have to clear your “cookies” and “cache.”

6. View, listen to, watch, and stream Japanese content without restrictions.

Conclusion

There are a lot of perks that come with using a Japanese IP address, and this review sheds light on them. Seven (7) of the best VPNs have been recommended here to help you select the best of the best. With this review, getting a Japanese IP address comes easy and juicy.