Ranked for streaming Facts checked 17 Oct 2026 Scores recalculated live
Best VPN for Japan
Japan blocks no websites, so most people here use a VPN for privacy on public Wi-Fi, while people abroad use one to reach Japan-only services such as TVer.
Top pick right now
NordVPN 96/100
Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.
Why you'd use a VPN in Japan
No website blocking
Freedom House rates Japan Free (78/100) and found no blocks on websites in 2024–2025. [1]
Japan-only streaming
TVer, the catch-up service of Japan's main broadcasters, is only available inside Japan. Some global services also run separate Japanese editions, such as Hulu Japan. [2]
Is a VPN legal in Japan? Legal. VPNs are legal.
The top 3 for Japan
#1
NordVPN 96/100
Connects
Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.
Try NordVPN#2
ExpressVPN 89/100
Connects
Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.
Try ExpressVPN#3
Surfshark 88/100
Connects
Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.
Try SurfsharkTop 3 for Japan at a glance
| VPN | Score out of 100 | Stealth | Connection | Privacy | Status in Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. NordVPN | 96 / 100 | NordWhisper or obfuscated servers (9/10) | 10/10 | 8/10 | Connects |
| 2. ExpressVPN | 89 / 100 | Automatic obfuscation (10/10) | 10/10 | 8/10 | Connects |
| 3. Surfshark | 88 / 100 | NoBorders mode (8/10) | 10/10 | 7/10 | Connects |
Scores are out of 100. Stealth, Connection and Privacy are the ranking’s 0–10 factors; Status is whether the VPN connects in Japan.
Full ranking of the 6 VPNs we track
| # | VPN | Score | Connects here | Visitor reports | Website (OONI) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordVPN | 96/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Website loads 739 tests | Try NordVPN |
| 2 | ExpressVPN | 89/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try ExpressVPN |
| 3 | Surfshark | 88/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Blocked on some networks 712 tests | Try Surfshark |
| 4 | CyberGhost | 85/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try CyberGhost |
| 5 | Private Internet Access | 82/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Too few tests | Try Private Internet Access |
| 6 | Proton VPN | 76/100 | Connects | Not enough yet | Website loads 724 tests | Try Proton VPN |
"Connects here" comes from our Japan status page. Visitor reports count the last 14 days. Website checks come from OONI measurements over 30 days, refreshed 9 Nov 2026; a blocked website doesn't mean the app is blocked, but you'll need to install the app another way.
How we scored
Nobody pays for a position here. Each VPN gets a score out of 100 from these weights, chosen because the main reason to use a VPN in Japan is streaming:
- Streaming
- 55%
- Speed & gaming
- 10%
- Privacy & audits
- 10%
- Connects in this country
- 10%
- Visitor reports
- 15%
Feature ratings are our editorial scores. If a VPN has too few visitor reports, that weight is shared among the other factors. A VPN that doesn't connect here is capped at 35. How we track
Questions people ask
What is the best VPN for Japan?
On our current scores, NordVPN (96/100), followed by ExpressVPN (89) and Surfshark (88). Scores weigh streaming most heavily for Japan and update as visitors there report what works.
Is using a VPN legal in Japan?
Legal. VPNs are legal.
Do all VPNs work in Japan?
All six VPNs we track connect normally in Japan. The differences are in streaming, privacy and speed.
Why does this ranking change?
Part of each score comes from visitor reports in the last 14 days and from whether each VPN currently connects in the country. When those change, the order changes. The formula is shown on the page.