Updated on: June 19, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Access Google Play Japan From Anywhere in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN. My top pick is ExpressVPN because it has several server locations in Japan, excellent speeds for downloading and updating apps from the Google Play Store, and top-notch security.
- Connect to a VPN server in Japan. This will force your Google Play Store to show you the option to change your location to Japan.
- Open the Google Play Store. Now, you will see the Google Play Store as it would be if you were in Japan.
Using a VPN (virtual private network) is the best way to change your Google Play Store location to Japan. A VPN has servers located all over the world, including in Japan. When you connect to a VPN server, it replaces your real IP address with one that matches your server location — this way, all of the websites you visit and apps you use will think you’re in a different location.
Sadly, not all VPNs are up to the task. Many VPNs leak your real IP address, preventing you from accessing the Google Play Store in Japan. Even some VPNs that work with the Google Play Store in Japan have slow speeds, so downloading apps takes a long time.
I tested 20+ VPNs to compile this list of the best VPNs for accessing Google Play Store Japan. My top recommendation is ExpressVPN because it has multiple server locations in Japan, lightning-fast speeds, and top-notch security. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Change Your Google Play Store Location to Japan (Step-By-Step Guide)
Keep the following in mind before changing your Google Play Store location to Japan:
- Once you first set up or change your Google Play Store location to Japan, you can’t change it again for another 12 months.
- Changing your Play Store location to Japan will prevent you from getting updates to apps that aren’t available in Japan.
- Your old Google Play payment method might not be available in Japan.
- You can’t transfer any remaining balance in your old account to the new one.
- You can’t change your Google Play Store location on an account that’s part of a Google Family group.
- Download and install a VPN that has a server location in Japan to your Android device. My #1 pick is ExpressVPN because it’s the best VPN on the market. You can find it on the Google Play Store or on the ExpressVPN website. The installation process takes about 1–2 minutes.
- Connect to a server in Japan. All the VPNs I recommend here have at least 1 server location in Japan — ExpressVPN has 4.
- Now, you have to clear the Google Play Store’s app data. This will remove any previously logged data about your real location.
a. Open your device settings. Then find and open your device’s app list, usually called Apps, App Manager, or something similar.
b. Find Google Play Store on the app list and select it.
c. Now, tap on the option that shows you how much storage space the app is occupying. On most devices, it’s named Storage or Storage & cache.
d. Clear both the app data and the cache. If prompted, confirm you want to clear all app data. Some devices clear the cache automatically when you clear all app data, but some don’t. Make sure you’ve cleared both.
- If you’re sure you want to change the location on your current account, proceed to the next step. Alternatively, if you want to make a new Google account registered in Japan instead, do it now, while connected to a VPN server in Japan. Make sure that’s the active account for the following steps.
- Now, you can switch your Google account location to Japan.
a. Open the Google Play Store and tap the profile icon bubble in the upper right corner.
b. Tap on Settings.
c. Under the General tab, go to Account and device preferences.
d. Under Country and profiles, you’ll see the option to switch to Google Play Store Japan. Add a new payment method that’s viable in Japan in order to make the switch.
- That’s it! Keep in mind that it can take up to 48 hours for Google to process the change, so be patient. Once it’s done, you can now browse Google Play Store Japan without issue.
Optional extra step: I also suggest switching off Google Location History, regardless of whether you use an existing Google account or make a new one. You can find this option under Data & privacy on your account dashboard. This way, Google won’t see your location switching rapidly between your actual location and Japan. While this wouldn’t necessarily trigger Google’s suspicious activity monitors, I like to stay on the safe side and I recommend you do the same.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Change Your Google Play Store Location to Japan?
Google uses your IP address to determine your general location. Then, it uses that information to show you the regional version of the Google Play Store. For example, when I search for apps like NHK News or games like FFVII Ever Crisis, I get the message that the app isn’t available in my region.
A VPN lets you change the IP address the Google Play Store sees. By connecting to a VPN server located in Japan, the sites you visit and apps you use all see the server’s Japanese IP address and not yours. This will make the Google Play Store think that you’re located in Japan, and it will show you Google Play Store Japan instead of your usual one.
Best VPNs for Accessing Google Play Japan in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for accessing Google Play Japan in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for changing your Google Play Store location to Japan (has excellent speeds).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent VPN for Google Play Japan (dedicated IP addresses & account monitoring).
- 🥉3. Surfshark — User-friendly VPN with location spoofing for easy access to Google Play Japan.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Accessing Google Play Japan in 2024
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for accessing Google Play Japan. It has 4 server locations in Japan, which is more than any other VPN on this list, so you can connect to the server closes to you. It also maintains excellent speeds even while connected to distant servers, so you won’t have slowdowns while downloading apps and updates.
ExpressVPN’s browser extension can help you create a Japanese Google account, since it has HTML5 location spoofing. This feature makes your browser’s location data match the IP address of the Japanese server you connected to. When you start the account creation process, Google will detect your physical location as Japan. ExpressVPN also has full leak protection, which prevents your actual IP address from accidentally becoming visible.
I also like ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling feature, which lets you choose exactly which apps connect to the internet through the Japanese server and which connect normally. This is useful if you already have apps on your device that aren’t available in Japan. By excluding them from the VPN connection, you will access them via your local network.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $6.67 / month. It also backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out without any risk.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great VPN for Accessing Google Play Japan With Dedicated IP Addresses
Private Internet Access is excellent for using a dedicated IP address in Japan. A dedicated IP address is exclusively yours and not shared by other users, which reduces the chances of getting flagged as a bot or blocked by region-specific apps you get from Google Play Store Japan. This is useful for banking apps since you need a valid Japanese payment method to switch your Google Play Store location to Japan.
Identity Guard is a great feature if you opted to create a new Google account specifically for accessing Google Play Store Japan. It monitors the internet for data breaches, and it immediately alerts you if your Google account login credentials are involved in any leaked databases. Identity Guard covers 2 email addresses, so you can protect both your main account and the new one.
Private Internet Access has very affordable plans, starting at $2.03 / month, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. Surfshark — Great VPN With Location Spoofing for Easy Access to Google Play Japan
Surfshark’s Android app has a feature called Override GPS, which changes your GPS data to match that of the server in Japan you’re connected to. This way, Google Play can’t use your GPS data to figure out you’re not physically located in Japan. It took me only 2–3 minutes to set up the feature, since it requires you to adjust some Android settings beforehand.
I like how beginner-friendly Surfshark’s Android app is — it has clear explanations for all settings, so you won’t feel lost while setting up the VPN. It’s easy to configure Surfshark’s settings once and not have to think about them again while accessing Google Play Japan.
Surfshark has cheap plans, starting at $2.19 / month. It backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I tested some 20+ VPNs to try and find the best ones for accessing Google Play Japan. I followed our tried-and-true VPN testing methodology to evaluate and rank each VPN so that only the best ones make it to the final list. The VPNs I listed here fulfill all the relevant criteria a good VPN for accessing Google Play Japan needs:
- I looked for VPNs with servers in Japan. You need a Japanese IP address to access Google Play Store Japan. All the VPNs on this list have a server location in Tokyo, and ExpressVPN has a total of 4 server locations across Japan.
- I checked how easy the VPNs are to use. The VPNs I recommend here all have easy-to-use Android apps, so connecting to a Japanese server takes only a few clicks.
- I tested the VPNs’ speeds on servers in Japan. The speed of your connection while connected to a VPN depends on the distance from your real location as much as on the VPN itself. ExpressVPN had the best speeds on its servers in Japan, but all the VPNs on the list have good speeds for quickly downloading and updating apps on the Google Play Store.
- I made sure the VPNs didn’t suffer from IP leaks. An IP leak is your VPN connection accidentally showing your real IP address to the sites you visit and the apps you use. This could cause problems when accessing Google Play Store Japan because Google uses your IP address to determine which version of the Play Store you get. I only recommend VPNs that never leaked my IP address in my tests.
- I evaluated each VPN’s value. The VPNs I recommend here all have useful extra features such as split-tunneling or ad blockers, allow multiple devices, and have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to use a VPN to change my Google Play Store location?
Yes, using a VPN to change your Google Play Store location is legal. However, you should check the terms of use of the apps you download from Google Play Store Japan since the apps might have clauses that prohibit users from downloading them outside of Japan.
What do I do if my Google Play Store location doesn’t change to Japan?
If you’ve performed all the steps I listed here accurately, it will typically take up to 48 hours for Google to process the change.
If the problem persists after that, I recommend clearing the Google Play Store’s app data and cache, and then restarting your device and connecting to your VPN’s server in Japan. This will force the Play Store to reload with a clean slate, without any residual data that might indicate you’re not actually in Japan.
What will happen to my existing apps once I change my Google Play Store location to Japan?
First of all, you won’t be able to download updates to your apps unless they’re available on Google Play Store Japan, too. Also, any of your apps that aren’t available in Japan might not work properly if they depend on your IP address to determine your location. However, all the VPNs on my list have a split-tunneling feature that lets you exclude those particular apps from the VPN, so they’ll use your real IP address, and you shouldn’t have any issues.
After I change my Google Play Store location to Japan, can I change it back?
You can, but you have to wait at least 12 months. This is why I recommend creating a separate Google account while connected to a VPN server in Japan (ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation), and using that account for accessing Google Play Store Japan. This way, you won’t compromise your main account.
