When Your Friend Can’t Access Japanese Beauty Sites – What I Learned About VPNs

Introduction: A Message from LA

Last month, I got a message from a high school classmate.

She got married and moved to LA a few years ago. We stay in touch, mostly about beauty and skincare—our shared obsession since high school.

“Miyabi, I have a problem.

I can’t open Japanese beauty websites anymore.

COSME reviews? Blocked.

Brand official sites? ‘Not available in your region.’

Even tutorial videos won’t play.

I’m stuck with English summaries and reseller info. It’s so frustrating.”

Living in Tokyo, I never thought about this.

I can access everything—ingredient lists, launch dates, real user reviews—without even thinking about it.

But my friend? She’s cut off from the same information, just because of where she lives.

That didn’t seem fair.

So I started researching.

The Pattern I Started Noticing

After that conversation, I realized my friend wasn’t alone.

I started seeing the same frustration in beauty communities online:

• “Why can’t I watch this Japanese skincare tutorial?”
• “The official Shiseido Japan site won’t load for me”
• “I can only see English product descriptions—where’s the full ingredient list?”

People living outside Japan were hitting the same wall.

The best information—detailed ingredient breakdowns, authentic user reviews, seasonal collection launches—was invisible to them.

Not because they couldn’t read Japanese.

Not because they weren’t interested.

But because websites were blocking access based on location.

Geographic restrictions were creating an information gap.

What I Researched: VPN as a Solution

I’m not a tech person.

But I wanted to help my friend, so I started learning about VPNs.

VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network.”

Here’s what I learned in simple terms:

How It Works (Non-Technical Explanation)

When you access a website, it sees your location based on your internet connection.

A VPN lets you connect through a server in a different country.

So if you’re in LA but connect through a Japanese server, websites think you’re accessing from Japan.

That’s it. No complicated setup. Just a different route to the same destination.

Why This Matters for Beauty Enthusiasts

With a VPN connected to Japan:

• ✅ Official brand websites load normally
• ✅ COSME reviews become accessible
• ✅ YouTube tutorials play without restrictions
• ✅ Full ingredient lists appear (not shortened English versions)
• ✅ Seasonal campaign pages open
• ✅ Limited edition launch dates show up

You see the same information someone in Tokyo sees.

Why I Looked Into NordVPN Specifically

There are many VPN services out there.

I spent about 10 hours researching options for my friend—reading reviews, comparing features, checking what actual users said.

Here’s why NordVPN kept coming up:

What Made It Stand Out

Japanese server availability
According to their official site, NordVPN has servers specifically in Japan. This matters because you need a Japanese server to access Japanese sites as if you’re local.

Speed matters for video content
Beauty tutorials, live launches, product demonstrations—you need fast connections. NordVPN uses something called “NordLynx” protocol. Based on user reviews I read, people mentioned smooth streaming without buffering.

Simple setup
My friend isn’t tech-savvy (neither am I). Reviews consistently mentioned that even first-time VPN users found the app straightforward.

Security as a bonus
While researching, I learned VPNs also protect your data with encryption. This wasn’t my friend’s main concern, but it’s a nice addition—especially when shopping on sites or using public WiFi.

30-day money-back guarantee
This was important. My friend could test it risk-free before committing.

My Friend’s Experience

I haven’t personally used NordVPN myself—living in Tokyo, I don’t need to.

But I spent hours researching options for my friend, and I followed her experience closely as she tested it.

Here’s what happened:

Week 1: First Impressions

She messaged me after setting it up:

“Miyabi! I can finally see everything!

The COSME reviews loaded. The Shiseido Japan site opened. Even the YouTube tutorials I couldn’t watch before—they all work now.

It’s like I’m back in Tokyo browsing these sites.”

Week 4: The Real Test

A month later, she shared more details:

“I’ve been using it almost daily. A few things I noticed:

• The connection is fast—I can watch tutorial videos in HD without buffering
• I check new product launches on official sites now, not just reseller summaries
• Reading real Japanese reviews on COSME changed how I choose products
• I caught a limited edition launch I would have missed otherwise

Honestly? I wish I’d known about this years ago.”

What She Uses It For Most

According to my friend:

1. COSME reviews – “The most authentic feedback is in Japanese. English sites only show summaries.”
2. Official brand sites – “Full ingredient lists, shade comparisons, seasonal collections—everything.”
3. YouTube tutorials – “Japanese beauty YouTubers show techniques you don’t see in English content.”
4. Shopping research – “I compare prices and options before buying. Sometimes Japan-exclusive items are worth the import.”

When NordVPN Makes Sense

Based on my research and my friend’s experience, here’s who would benefit:

If You Want Direct Access to Information

• ✅ Read authentic reviews
  COSME has thousands of detailed Japanese reviews—English sites only show highlights
• ✅ See complete ingredient lists
  Official Japanese sites show full formulations, not shortened international versions
• ✅ Watch unrestricted tutorials
  Many Japanese beauty creators’ videos are region-locked
• ✅ Access seasonal campaigns
  Limited editions and special sets often appear on Japan sites first

If You Want to Avoid Common Frustrations

• ✅ Don’t miss launch dates
  Find out about new releases when Japanese consumers do, not weeks later
• ✅ Don’t rely on incomplete translations
  See the information firsthand instead of through reseller summaries
• ✅ Don’t pay regional markups unknowingly
  Compare prices across different sites before buying
• ✅ Don’t feel cut off from J-Beauty culture
  Stay connected to trends, discussions, and community content

Common Questions I Had (And You Might Too)

“Isn’t using a VPN complicated?”

That’s what I thought too.

But from what I learned and my friend’s experience:

• Download the app (available for phone, computer, tablet)
• Choose “Japan” from the server list
• Click “Connect”
• Browse normally

My friend, who isn’t tech-savvy at all, set it up in under 10 minutes.

“Will it slow down my internet?”

This was my concern too.

According to my friend’s experience and the reviews I read:

NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol is designed for speed. My friend watches HD beauty tutorials without buffering. She mentioned it’s actually faster than some other services she tried before.

That said, any VPN adds a tiny bit of extra routing. But for watching videos and browsing sites, she hasn’t noticed any practical slowdown.

“Is it legal?”

Yes, using a VPN is legal in most countries.

You’re simply choosing a different route to access publicly available websites.

However, always check your local laws and the terms of service for any sites you visit.

“Can’t I just use a free VPN?”

I researched free options too.

Here’s what I found:

Free VPNs often have:

• Data limits (you might hit the cap mid-video)
• Slower speeds (buffering during tutorials)
• Fewer server options (might not have Japan)
• Privacy concerns (some sell your data)

For occasional use, free might work. But if you’re regularly accessing Japanese beauty content like my friend, a paid service makes sense.

“What if I don’t speak Japanese?”

You don’t need to be fluent.

Modern browsers have built-in translation. You can:

• Access the site with VPN
• Use Chrome’s auto-translate feature
• See the full content, even if translated

The key is getting access first. Translation tools handle the language.

How to Get Started

If you’re in a similar situation to my friend, here’s what I’d suggest based on what worked for her:

Step 1: Try the 30-Day Trial

NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

This means you can test it risk-free:

• See if it solves your access issues
• Check the connection speed
• Test it with your most-used Japanese sites
• If it doesn’t work for you, get a full refund

Sign up for NordVPN here

Step 2: Download and Connect

After signing up:

1. Download the app for your device
2. Open the app and log in
3. Search for “Japan” in the server list
4. Click “Connect”

The app will show “Connected” when ready.

Step 3: Test Your Access

Try opening these sites to confirm it’s working:

• COSME (cosme.net)
• Official brand sites (Shiseido, KOSÉ, etc.)
• Japanese beauty YouTube channels

They should load normally now, as if you’re in Japan.

Step 4: Adjust Settings (Optional)

Most people use the default settings.

But if you want to customize:

• Set it to connect automatically when you open your device
• Choose specific apps to use with VPN
• Select your preferred protocol (NordLynx is fastest)

Why I’m Comfortable Suggesting This

I don’t take recommendations lightly—especially when suggesting something to friends or readers.

Here’s why I felt comfortable researching NordVPN for my friend:

It’s Not a Small Company

According to their official information:

• Operating since 2012 – Over a decade of service
• 14+ million users globally – Widely used and tested
• Servers in 111 countries – Including multiple locations in Japan
• Independently audited – Their no-logs policy has been verified by third parties

This isn’t a startup that might disappear. It’s an established service with a track record.

What Real Users Say

Based on reviews I researched on Trustpilot and Reddit:

Positive patterns:

• “Fast connection speeds, especially with NordLynx”
• “Japanese servers work consistently for streaming”
• “Simple app, even for non-tech people”
• “Customer support responds quickly”

Common concerns:

• “Price is higher than some competitors” (though promotions bring it down)
• “Occasional server switching needed during peak hours”
• “Desktop app uses more resources than mobile version”

Note: These are aggregated observations from public reviews.

No service is perfect, but the consistent feedback about speed and Japanese server reliability made sense for my friend’s needs.

Things to Consider

I want to be honest about when NordVPN makes sense and when it might not.

✅ NordVPN Makes Sense If:

• You regularly access Japanese beauty content
  If you’re checking COSME reviews, watching tutorials, or following Japanese brands weekly, the investment makes sense
• You want reliable speed for video content
  Tutorial videos, live launches, product demonstrations require good streaming quality
• You value having options
  Not just for Japan—111 countries means you can access content from anywhere
• You care about privacy
  Beyond unblocking sites, VPN encrypts your connection (useful on public WiFi)
• You’re willing to pay for consistent access
  With current promotions, it’s about the cost of 2-3 lattes per month

❌ Other Options Might Be Better If:

• You only occasionally need access
  If you check Japanese sites once or twice a month, a free VPN with data limits might suffice
• Budget is the absolute priority
  There are cheaper VPN options, though they may have slower speeds or fewer features
• You don’t access video content
  If you only read text-based sites, speed matters less, so a basic VPN would work
• You’re not comfortable with subscriptions
  NordVPN works on subscription basis (though you can cancel anytime)

The 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test whether it’s worth it for your specific needs.

Current Offer

When my friend signed up, there was a promotion running.

According to NordVPN’s site, they currently offer:

• Up to 73% off on 2-year plans
• Extra months free
• 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans

Promotions change, but the money-back guarantee is standard.

Check current NordVPN offers here

Final Thoughts

I started researching VPNs because my friend was frustrated.

She couldn’t access the information that, living in Tokyo, I take completely for granted.

The most detailed ingredient lists.

The authentic user reviews.

The seasonal collection announcements.

The beauty tutorials that show techniques you won’t find in English content.

All of it was invisible to her, just because of her location.

Here’s what I learned from helping her:

Access to information shouldn’t depend on where you live.

If you love Japanese beauty as much as my friend does, you deserve to see the same content, read the same reviews, and make informed decisions based on complete information—not summaries or translations.

A VPN isn’t a magic solution to everything. But for this specific problem—geographic restrictions blocking access to Japanese beauty content—it’s a straightforward fix.

Before your next purchase, before you miss another limited edition launch, before you settle for incomplete ingredient lists:

Consider whether having direct access to Japanese beauty information would change how you choose products.

For my friend, it did.

She went from feeling cut off from Japanese beauty culture to being as connected as if she still lived in Tokyo.

That’s worth exploring.

Try NordVPN with 30-day money-back guarantee

Your beauty research deserves complete information.

Disclosure

This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up for NordVPN through the links in this article, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support GlowCache and allows me to continue researching beauty and wellness topics.

I spent approximately 10 hours researching VPN options before suggesting NordVPN to my friend. I do not personally use it (living in Tokyo, I don’t need to), but I followed my friend’s experience closely and researched user reviews extensively to write this article.

Thank you for your support!

References

• NordVPN Official Site: https://nordvpn.com
• User reviews researched: Trustpilot, Reddit (r/VPN)
• Friend’s personal experience (shared with permission)
• VPN technology basics: Multiple tech education sources

About the Author

Miyabi | GlowCache Editor-in-Chief

Tokyo-based beauty enthusiast sharing insights on Japanese beauty culture and helping friends navigate the J-Beauty world from overseas.