The Best VPN for ESPN Plus In Japan 2023

ESPN Plus is a popular over-the-top streaming platform, best for streaming NHL, Major League Soccer, UFC fights, tennis, and more. Since the sports service keeps adding new content to its library, its subscribers have risen up to nearly 25 million due to its fantastic content.

However, the streaming service is available exclusively in the US. If you try to access it from Japan, without a US IP address in Japan, you’ll be out of luck since it would immediately display a geo-restriction blackout error. That’s where the best VPN for ESPN Plus in Japan comes in so you can actually access the sports service in Japan.

There are hundreds of VPNs in the industry. However, not every one of them is safe enough to access ESPN Plus. In this guide, we’ll tell you all about the most best VPN services so you know which to opt for to enjoy UFC fights from abroad.

Why You Need a VPN to Watch ESPN Plus In Japan

ESPN Plus, like many other streaming services, is geo-restricted outside its own region. This means that it’s only available in the United States. If you’re an American ex-pat or living in Japan and have heard everyone raving about this fantastic streaming platform, then you need to access it immediately.

However, if you try to watch ESPN+ in Japan without a VPN, then you won’t be able to go any further than this:

Without a VPN, you’re likely to face this error in Japan.

This is exactly we suggest opting for a VPN service. You can unblock ESPN+ in the blink of an eye you need a VPN to get a US IP address in Japan.

And since VPNs offer multiple security features, such as AES 256-bit encryption, no-logs, DNS leak protection, and more, you’ll be absolutely secure while streaming your favorite sports.

Best VPN for ESPN Plus In Japan – Detailed Analysis

We tested 50+ VPNs based on the listed criteria for choosing the top options for unblocking ESPN+ in Japan. Since not every VPN offers great unblocking capabilities and privacy, here is a list of ESPN VPNs in Japan that can be used to log in to streaming sites safely:

1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for ESPN Plus in Japan

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for ESPN Plus in Japan because it offers an exceptional unblocking capability and fast speeds for streaming ESPN+. It offers 3000+ fast speed servers in 94 countries, including numerous servers in 25 US locations.

You can easily watch your favorite sports on ESPN Plus no matter whether you are in Japan. When we used ExpressVPN for ESPN Plus, we used its Phoenix servers to unblock the sports streaming platform in 30 seconds. The sign-up took a few minutes, but being an ESPN VPN, once we were done, we could enjoy an NHL match in Japan without any interruptions.

Unblocking ESPN+ in Japan only took a few seconds with ExpressVPN

Furthermore, while you’re connected to its US server, you can also access a variety of streaming services like Tubi TV in Japan as well. This means that getting HBO Max with ExpressVPN in Japan can’t be any easier.

When tested ExpressVPN for speed in Japan. on a 100 Mbps base, it recorded a download speed of 89.42 Mbps download, and an upload speed of 84.64 Mbps upload speed, which is quite impressive.

The VPN’s speeds in Japan were blazing-fast on its US server.

While accessing ESPN+ in Japan, the VPN kept us secure. Since it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, the VPN offers a strict no-logging policy. Plus, all its connections are encrypted with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption so no one can really snoop into your activities.

All its apps come with essential security features, like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation that you get by default on Lightway and OpenVPN protocols. It further comes with a MediaStreamer (SmartDNS) feature that allows you to unblock various geo-restricted services on devices that don’t offer native VPN connections.

As for compatibility, ExpressVPN offers five simultaneous connections. You can install ExpressVPN on FireStick in Japan, Android, iOS, Windows, routers, PS4, Kodi, and more smoothly.

You can get this all-rounder VPN at a cost of only JPY 929.95/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan). Along with that, it also offers a risk-free 30-day refund policy for testing all its features. You may also opt for ExpressVPN’s free trial in Japan to test its amazing features on iOS and Android devices.

To learn more information about this VPN before subscribing to it, make sure you check out our ExpressVPN review Japan.

2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for ESPN Plus in Japan

Surfshark is the best budget-friendly option for ESPN+ in Japan if you’re on a tight budget since it costs only JPY 320.67/mo (US$ 2.30/mo) (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) and offers the most reliable and consistent service in the industry. Let’s not forget that it comes with 600+ servers in 23+ US cities so you have a vast variety of options to access ESPN+ in Japan and other restricted streaming sites.

Here you can see how we’ve unblocked ESPN+ in Japan with Surfshark’s Boston servers:

Unblocking ESPN+ in Japan was a piece of cake using Surfshark servers!

That’s all you need to access ESPN Plus in Japan. However, while you’re at it, you can also enjoy Showtime in Japan, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, US Netflix, and Hulu with Surfshark in Japan easily.

When testing Surfshark for speed in Japan, we got an average download speed of 81.32 Mbps and an upload speed of 76.12 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection on our Boston server.

Using Surfshark servers, we could easily bypass geo-restrictions placed on ESPN+.

Its apps are packed with security features, like DNS leak protection, kill switch, Camouflage Mode (obfuscation technology), SOCKS5 proxy, AES 256-bit encryption, and WireGuard protocols (offering lightning-fast speeds).

Along with unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark offers apps for all popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, FireStick, and Linux. It also offers browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome. Surfshark router in Japan is a solid combination as well as it offers setup guides for various router models.

Surfshark has multiple advanced security features in store. Just like ExpressVPN, this VPN service is located in the Netherlands as well, therefore having an uncompromising no-logging policy.

All in all, this cheap VPN in Japan gives you the bang for your buck. It further offers a 30-day refund policy for testing out its features. You can also give Surfshark’s 7-day free trial in Japan a go to use the VPN on iOS and Android devices.

To learn more about this VPN before subscribing to it, make sure you check out our Surfshark review Japan.

3. NordVPN – Largest Server Network for ESPN+ in Japan

NordVPN has the largest server network to watch ESPN+ in Japan since it offers 5500+ servers in 60 countries, 1970+ US servers in 15 cities.

It is a prominent VPN provider with thousands of US servers and robust security features. This Panama-based VPN offers subscribers the perfect combination of privacy and performance at a reasonable cost.

Here you can see how we’ve unblocked ESPN+ in Japan with NordVPN’s Atlanta servers:

NordVPN’s server network can easily unblock ESPN+ in Japan.

Accessing ESPN Plus in Japan and other geo-restricted streaming services can’t be any easier with these servers. Along with that, users can also unblock other US-confined services, including Amazon Prime in Japan, Hulu, Netflix, and Disney Plus with NordVPN in Japan.

As per our NordVPN speed test in Japan, it delivered an average download speed of 83.82 Mbps and an upload speed of 44.64 Mbps on our 100 Mbps connection.

With these speeds, streaming ESPN+ was super-easy.

The VPN offers an unquestionable no-logging policy, which means that the service doesn’t hold any user logs. It also comes with AES 256-bit encryption and ensures that no hackers, eavesdroppers, ISPs, or government snoops can pry into your online activities.

All its popular apps offer a kill switch, Tor over VPN, DNS leak protection, Double VPN, and more for extra privacy. Hails to its NordLynx protocol which is built around WireGuard, it offers fast speeds in Japan with uncompromised security.

With security as your priority, you can get this VPN at a cost of only JPY 556.3/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) in Japan. Along with an amazing NordVPN ESPN+ combo, you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee for trying out the VPN.

To get to know more about this VPN, make sure you check out our updated NordVPN review Japan.

Testing Methodology: Choosing the Best ESPN Plus VPN In Japan

When choosing the best VPN for ESPN Plus in Japan, you need to test them on the following factors:

1. American servers: First off, since ESPN+ is available in the United States only, you need an ESPN VPN with a variety of servers in America. With these servers, you can not only enjoy UFC, NHL, and more on ESPN Plus in Japan, but also access a variety of American streaming services, like US Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, etc.
2. Unblocking capabilities: Nothing is possible if the VPN can’t unblock a website within seconds and offer lag-free access to it. Therefore, one should always prioritize this factor and choose a VPN ESPN Plus in Japan that allows them to easily do it.
3. Secure connection: Your ISP can easily snoop into your activities if your connection is unencrypted. Therefore, always select a VPN that offers advanced security features and protocols, such as military-grade encryption, DNS/IP leak protection, no-logs, and more.
4. Multi-logins: Premium VPN services in Japan are known to offer simultaneous connections on a single subscription. This way, you can enjoy ESPN Plus in Japan on your phones, computers, and gaming consoles alike. So, select a virtual private network (VPN) that comes with a minimum of five multi-logins on one account.
5. Easy-to-use apps: Veteran VPN users or simply a beginner – both require a user-friendly VPN app for their devices. This is why instead of facing issues with the VPN app, you should simply get one that offers one-click connectivity and is super convenient.

Can I use a free VPN to watch ESPN In Japan?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch ESPN and ESPN+ in Japan, but we suggest you don’t do it. While free VPNs do offer US servers, they’re fewer in number so you’re always be subjected to server overload. Moreover, these VPNs also equip poor unblocking capabilities and bad speeds, making them absolutely unreliable for getting ESPN.

Free VPNs have also been known to leak user data to third parties to make a profit. They’re also not equipped to provide you with a safe and secure browsing and streaming experience. You may become a victim of hacking attempts because of the lack of security.

That’s why you’re better off using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN since it provides world-class security features along with a strict no-logging policy so you can stream ESPN+ in Japan without any worries.

Best Sports to Watch on ESPN Plus In Japan in 2023

Here are the tournaments you can catch on ESPN Plus in 2023:

• Men’s Six Nation Championship 2023 in Japan
• UFC 284: Islam vs Alexander in Japan
• UFC Fight Night Vera vs Sandhagen in Japan
• Caribbean Baseball Series 2023 in Japan
• XFL 2023 in Japan
• UFC Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane in Japan
• UFC Ricardo vs Austin in Japan
• Leon Edwards vs Skamaru Usman in Japan
• Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023

FAQs – Best VPN for ESPN In Japan

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve provided all the adequate information regarding ‘what VPN works with ESPN+ in Japan‘, it’s time to say goodbye. If you’re a major sports fan and want to catch the upcoming UFC match live, then you need to access ESPN Plus immediately.

However, since it’s only available in the United States, accessing it shouldn’t be a problem with the best VPN for ESPN Plus in Japan. We tested a variety of VPN services, but only ExpressVPN completely satisfied us.