7 Best Free VPNs for Japan in 2022 [Tried and Tested]
When it comes to online privacy, a VPN is an essential tool. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in another location, masking your real IP address and allowing you to bypass internet censorship and restrictions.
If you live in or are visiting Japan, a VPN can be incredibly useful. With a Japanese VPN, you can access geo-blocked content, such as that from Netflix Japan or Hulu Japan, and have access to television content like DAZN, Abema TV, DTV, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
You can also bypass the Great Firewall of China and other internet censorship filters.
There are many VPN providers on the market, but not all of them offer free VPN services. In this article, we will recommend the best free VPN for Japan while keeping multiple factors in mind including data limits, server locations, free trials, speed, security, and streaming support.
Some of them are a great fit if you’re just looking for a free VPN for Netflix Japan while some are exceptional with torrenting and casual day-to-day browsing.
We’ve tested 40+ providers and this is the final list. So go through each provider and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Also, be aware that free VPNs are dangerous and we don’t usually recommend them. Why is that you ask? Redirect here to know about it in detail.
Best Free VPNs for Japan: Quick Summary
- ExpressVPN: 7-Day Free Trial & 30-Day Refund.
- NordVPN: 7-Day Free Trial + 30-Day Refund.
- TunnelBear: 500MB Data Cap Per Month with the Free Version.
- ProtonVPN: Unlimited Bandwidth with the Free Version.
- Trust.Zone: 3-Day Free Trial & 10-Day Refund Policy.
- Surfshark: 7-Day Free Trial & 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
- AtlasVPN: 10GB Data Limit Per Month with the Free Version.
Redirect here to know how to install a free VPN for Japan!
Best Free VPNs for Japan 2022: In-Depth Analysis
Here is the full overview of the best free VPNs for Japan.
1. ExpressVPN: 7-Day Free Trial & 30-Day Refund
- Trustpilot Rating: 4.7
- Server Count: 3000+ Servers in 94+ Countries
- Free Version: No
- Best Price: $6.67/mo
- Simultaneous Connections: 5
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Japan with its high speed and strong security, it offers a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS devices. They also offer a risk-free money-back guarantee offer which you can use for 30 days if you try this hack. And if you decide to keep using it, they have some of the best prices around.
The provider is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a great location for privacy. And with more than 3000+ servers in 94+ countries, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs.
The servers are based on RAM infrastructure and the provider has a strict no-logs policy which has been audited by an independent third-party called PwC.
ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic with the AES 256-bit method and offers advanced protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway, which is the provider’s custom protocol.
Upon testing ExpressVPN, we achieved an average speed of 93 Mbps and we could easily unblock Netflix Japan, Netflix US, Netflix UK, and 12+ other Netflix libraries.
Other than ExpressVPN Netflix, it also worked on other popular streaming platforms including BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more.
With ExpressVPN, you can have 5 simultaneous connections. It has apps for all platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, Android, and iOS. You can also configure ExpressVPN easily on a router using the dedicated router app it offers.
Other features of ExpressVPN include Network Lock Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, MediaStreamer, DNS/IP/WebRTC Leak Protection, and Threat Manager.
The customer support of ExpressVPN is available 24/7 so you can reach them anytime via live chat on the official website.
Want to know more? Visit our detailed review guide for ExpressVPN!
2. NordVPN: 7-Day Free Trial + 30-Day Refund
- Trustpilot Rating: 4.4
- Server Count: 5600+ Servers in 59+ Countries
- Free Version: No
- Best Price: $3.99/mo
- Simultaneous Connections: 6
NordVPN is another great option if you’re looking for a VPN for Japan. They offer a generous 7-day free trial, as well as a money-back guarantee offer and you can try this hack to use it free for 30 days.
NordVPN is based in Panama, which is ideal for privacy as the region is immune to data retention laws. And with more than 5600+ servers in 59+ countries, you’ll easily find servers in Japan.
Also, the provider has a strict no-logs policy which has been audited by PwC, an independent third party from the Big Four.
The service encrypts your traffic with military-grade encryption and you’ll be able to connect with protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and NordLynx, which is NordVPN’s custom protocol based on the WireGuard protocol.
Upon testing NordVPN, we achieved an average speed of 92 Mbps from which we could easily carry out our streaming, gaming, and browsing activities.
NordVPN allows you to connect 6 devices at the same time and it has support for all operating systems including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
The provider can unblock many popular streaming platforms including BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, YouTube TV, Hulu, and more. Also, NordVPN Netflix is the best combination.
Other features of NordVPN include a built-in Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, Smart DNS, P2P Support, Double VPN, CyberSec, Onion over VPN, and Threat Protection.
NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support available on the official website so do not hesitate to ask them your queries.
Want to know more? Visit our detailed review guide for NordVPN!
3. TunnelBear: 500MB Data Cap Per Month
- Trustpilot Rating: 2.9
- Server Count: 500+ Servers in 48 Countries
- Free Version: Yes
- Best Price: $3.33/mo.
- Simultaneous Connections: 5
TunnelBear offers a 500MB data cap per month but you can extend it up to 1GB if you tweet about the company. This should be enough to get you started, but if you need more, they have an affordable paid plan that gives you unlimited data.
The provider offers servers in 48 countries and with the free version, you can connect to servers in the US, UK, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, Japan, and with limited options to Brazil and Mexico.
TunnelBear offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and there is limited support for Linux devices.
Upon testing TunnelBear, we achieved an average speed of 26 Mbps and we could only unblock US Netflix and HBO Max. The service failed in unblocking other platforms including BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Hulu.
TunnelBear is not a zero-log VPN provider. It collects your data usage, but other than that, it doesn’t collect any other personal information of yours. However, it is a Canada-based VPN, which is a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance.
Torrenting is permitted with TunnelBear but it doesn’t work great with the free version as the bitrate is too low and the servers are not P2P-optimized.
TunnelBear encrypts your traffic with the AES 256-bit method and the protocols available are IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN (TCP/UDP).
Other features of TunnelBear include a VPN kill switch, split tunneling, ad blocker, and DNS leak blocking.
TunnelBear doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee but yes, you can get a refund on a case-by-case basis. If you are not satisfied with your subscription purchase for any reason, you can contact customer support and they’ll review your request and give your money back if your request is valid.
About TunnelBear customer support, you cannot get in touch with a human representative as the live chat feature is automated. However, the service offers an email.
Want to know more? Visit our detailed review guide for TunnelBear!
4. ProtonVPN: Unlimited Bandwidth with the Free Version
- Trustpilot Rating: 2.5
- Server Count: 1700+ Servers in 63 Countries
- Free Version: Yes
- Best Price: $5.06/mo.
- Simultaneous Connections: 1 (with the free version)
ProtonVPN is one of the best free Japan VPNs with no limits on bandwidth with the free version. The free VPN of the provider offers 100+ servers in 3 locations including the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States.
You can connect only 1 device with the free version and the service has support for devices including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Chromebook, and more. Moreover, subscribing to a premium plan will give you access to 10 simultaneous connections.
ProtonVPN encrypts your traffic with the AES 256 method and the protocols available are IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN.
Upon testing, we achieved an average speed of 27 Mbps but we couldn’t unblock US Netflix or any other streaming platform with the free version.
However, to unblock BBC iPlayer and Disney+, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan.
ProtonVPN does not collect logs of your online activities but your time stamps are collected. And the information is overwritten each time your VPN is connected.
Other features of ProtonVPN include a VPN kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling.
For customer support service, you’ll need to talk to a bot as there are no human representatives available on the live chat.
The refund period is 30 days if you purchase a subscription plan. And you can generate the request by filling out the support form.
5. Trust.Zone: 3-Day Free Trial and 10-Day Refund Policy
- Trustpilot Rating: 3.6
- Server Count: 100+ Servers in 3 Countries
- Free Version: No
- Best Price: $2.33/mo.
- Simultaneous Connections: 5
Trust.Zone is a privacy-friendly VPN provider based in Seychelles, East Africa. The service offers a 3-day free trial with no payment information required. It also offers a 10-day money-back guarantee but it is only applicable if you’ve used less than 10GB of bandwidth.
Your traffic is encrypted with the AES 256-bit method and protocols available are OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and L2TP/IPSec.
Upon testing Trust.Zone, we achieved an average speed of 20 Mbps and we could access US Netflix. But it couldn’t unblock other popular streaming platforms like DAZN, BBC iPlayer, or Hulu.
You can have 5 simultaneous connections and the provider supports devices including Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, and iOS.
Trust.Zone only knows how much data is being used. Other than that, it doesn’t collect any private information of users.
Other security features of Trust.Zone includes a VPN kill switch and first-party DNS.
There is no live chat option on the official website of Trust.Zone but you can ask your queries through email.
Want to know more? Visit our detailed review guide for Trust.Zone!
6. Surfshark: 7-Day Free Trial and 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- Trustpilot Rating: 4.4
- Server Count: 3200+ Servers in 65+ Countries
- Free Version: No
- Best Price: $2.49/mo
- Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
Surfshark VPN offers a 7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS. You can also use it for free by trying the 30-day money-back guarantee hack.
It is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands which keeps it away from the 14 Eyes Alliance and the service is also covered with a strict no-logs policy which has been audited by an independent third-party called Cure53.
Surfshark has a massive network of 3200+ servers in 65+ countries including servers in Japan and other countries like the US, UK, France, Italy, Ireland, and more.
The provider encrypts your traffic with the military-grade AES method and the protocols available are OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.
Upon testing Surfshark, we achieved an average speed of 88 Mbps and the servers could easily unblock popular streaming platforms including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube TV, and more.
Surfshark has support for all platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. And the best part of all: You can have unlimited simultaneous connections!
Other features of Surfshark include a built-in Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, Smart DNS, MultiHop, CleanWeb, Bypasser, and Camouflage Mode.
Surfshark offers a 24/7 live chat option to talk to their representative about the queries you want to ask. All you need to do is go to their official page and click on the customer support button.
Want to know more? Visit our detailed review guide for Surfshark!
7. AtlasVPN: 10GB Data Limit Per Month with the Free Version
- Trustpilot Rating: 4.4
- Server Count: 750 Servers in 34 Countries
- Free Version: Yes
- Best Price: $1.83/mo.
- Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
AtlasVPN offers a 10GB data limit on its free version. The provider offers 3 servers in 2 countries with the free version including 3+ IP addresses.
The company is registered in the US, which is a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance. The VPN doesn’t collect any information like your IP address or location. However, no independent audits have been performed on the service yet.
AtlasVPN encrypts the traffic with the AES 256-bit method and the protocols available are IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard.
Upon testing, we achieved an average speed of 26 Mbps but the service couldn’t unblock any streaming platforms with the free version. However, the paid version can unblock popular streaming giants like Netflix, HBO Max, DAZN, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
AtlasVPN has support for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Also, you can have unlimited simultaneous connections.
Torrenting is supported on all servers of AtlasVPN may it be the free version or the paid version. And all the servers are P2P-optimized. We could easily download a 3GB file in 11 minutes with an average bitrate around 9 – 10 MiB/s.
Other features of AtlasVPN include a VPN kill switch, WebRTC leak protection, IPv6 leak protection, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling.
The representatives of AtlasVPN are available 24/7 via live chat so you can ask them your queries any time of the day.
How to Install a Free VPN for Japan
Now that you know which free VPNs are the best for Japan, it’s time to install one. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you get started.
- Choose a reputable free VPN for Japan. We recommend ExpressVPN because of its high speeds and strong security.
- Install the VPN app on your device. For handheld devices, go to your Store. For a computer, download from the official website.
- Connect to a server and go anonymous on the open web.
What You Need to Know About Free VPN Services in Japan
Free VPNs have limitations of all kinds and they can be dangerous too.
They aren’t always safe. Many free VPNs collect and sell your data, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.
Free VPNs often have slow speeds and low data caps. This can make them difficult to use for streaming or downloading.
They usually don’t have the same level of security and privacy as paid VPNs. This means you’re more likely to be at risk when using a free VPN.
Here are some of the limitations and risks of using a free VPN service in detail.
Limited Bandwidth and Data Caps
Free VPN services usually have very low data caps. This means you won’t be able to do much with them. If you’re lucky, you might be able to stream a few minutes of video or download a small file. But that’s about it.
Sure if you’re just looking to unblock a website or bypass a geo-restriction, a free VPN might be enough. But if you’re looking to do anything more than that, you’re going to need to look elsewhere.
Just downloading and uploading a few files could quickly use up your data cap. And if you try to stream video with a free VPN, you’ll likely be disappointed by the video eating up all the monthly data cap with a single stream.
Speed and Servers Limitations
Free VPNs often have very slow speeds. This is because they have a limited number of servers and those servers are usually overloaded with users.
Paid VPNs, on the other hand, have more resources to invest in their infrastructure. This means they can offer faster speeds and more server locations.
Also, the servers available with the free versions of VPNs are not optimized enough to have streaming support or P2P support. However, if you’re only looking for casual browsing, a free VPN might be enough.
When it comes to free VPNs, you usually get what you pay for. And in this case, that’s not much.
Logging & Data Leaks
Many free VPNs log your data and sell it to third-party companies. This defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.
When you use a VPN, you’re entrusting that company with your data. And if they’re logging it, they can sell it to anyone they want.
There have also been cases of free VPNs leaking people’s data. In one case, a free VPN service leaked the IP addresses of over 600,000 users.
This is a serious security risk and it’s something you need to be aware of when using a free VPN.
If you’re looking for a safe and secure VPN, you’re better off with a paid VPN service.
Internet Security & Privacy Issues in Japan
Not using a VPN can invite risks to your online security and privacy in Japan.
There are three main categories of people who may steal your data and jeopardize your online security and privacy.
One is criminals, the second is government spies, and the third is commercial businesses. So it is totally unwise to be using public WiFi as they pose a significant risk since it contains an unencrypted format that hackers can exploit.
Also, it’s illegal to duplicate video games or movies in Japan. It’s essentially a crime, punishable by two years in jail.
Japan’s Privacy Laws
There are no laws in Japan that ban the Internet today. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on accessing national or worldwide information and social media sites. This is due to Japan’s constitution, which protects all types of censorship and speech bans.
In 2013, Japanese legislators enacted the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets. This legislation was subsequently passed, and the minister of communication made a recommendation. It was recommended that Cyberspace be subject to restrictions that bind newspapers and television stations.
The United Nations conducted an inquiry in this country as well. During this study, UN representatives met with instructors, government officials, and journalists from various organizations. They confirmed that Japan has significant privacy concerns after the investigation was completed.
Internet Censorship in Japan
Although Japan does not have a formal policy of internet censorship, several privacy sites were removed by ISPs on the request of the Japanese government in April 2018.
This action has raised issues regarding intellectual property protection and users’ rights to private conversations. As a result, it is ideal that you use a VPN to get around it.
FAQs: Free VPNs for Japan
Is VPN legal in Japan?
Yes, the use of VPN is legal in Japan. There is practically no limit or censorship of online material in Japan.
However, it’s still a good idea to use a VPN if you wish to improve your online privacy and anonymity while also being able to access geo-blocked content from other countries.
Why does Japan use VPN?
A VPN keeps you safe while torrenting. Japan’s torrenting regulations are some of the most stringent in the world. When filesharing, it’s critical to be safe; and a VPN is the greatest method to do so.
A VPN masks your true IP address and encrypts your traffic, making your file-sharing activity practically untraceable.
What’s the best free VPN service for Japan?
The best Japan VPNs today
Is using a proxy server better than a VPN in Japan?
A VPN provides greater privacy and security than a proxy because it encrypts your traffic and routes it through a VPN server in another country which hides your IP address and maximizes your security.
A proxy simply sends your traffic through an intermediary server, but it does not always provide additional security.
Why are smart DNS services useful for VPN users in Japan?
A smart DNS service is beneficial for Japan because it can help you get around geo-restrictions. This means that you may access all of your favorite shows and movies while in Japan, even if geo-restrictions are imposed for Japan Netflix.
Conclusion
A VPN is a great investment for anyone living or working in Japan. With a VPN you can stay safe online, get around geo-restrictions, and access all of your favorite content from abroad.
ExpressVPN is the best free VPN for Japan if you’re looking for a recommendation. And our second suggestion would be NordVPN because of its large server network and support for all widely-used devices.
Moreover, we don’t always recommend our users free VPNs as they can be dangerous.
But in this case, both of these are premium VPN providers with free trials and they have a strong track record when it comes to privacy and security. So you can feel confident that your data is safe while using either of these services.
Do you have any other questions about free VPNs for Japan? Let us know in the comments below!
