Question:

How can I bypass the regional restriction of a Japanese website that I want to visit? I have tried using a VPN, but it still does not let me access the site. The website is https://gametrade.jp and this is the error message that I get: https://imgur.com/a/vTTu94L.

Answer:

If you are a fan of Japanese culture, games, or anime, you might have encountered some websites that are only available for users in Japan. These websites use regional restriction or geo-blocking to limit their content to a specific country or region. This means that if you try to access them from outside Japan, you will get an error message or a blank page.

One of the websites that uses regional restriction is https://gametrade.jp, a popular platform for buying and selling used games in Japan. If you want to visit this website from another country, you will see this error message:

“` このサイトは日本国内からのアクセスのみに対応しております。

This site only supports access from within Japan.

“` 

You might think that using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) would solve this problem, as it can mask your IP address and make it appear that you are browsing from Japan. However, some websites have VPN detection mechanisms that can block VPN users as well. This is why you might still get the same error message even if you use a VPN.

So, how can you bypass the regional restriction of a Japanese website that you want to visit? Here are some possible solutions that you can try:

1. Use a proxy server

A proxy server is a computer that acts as an intermediary between your device and the website that you want to access. It can hide your real IP address and location, and send requests to the website on your behalf. Unlike a VPN, a proxy server does not encrypt your traffic, so it might be faster and less detectable by the website.

To use a proxy server, you need to find a reliable and secure one that is located in Japan. You can search for free or paid proxy servers online, or use a browser extension that can automatically connect you to a proxy server. Some examples of proxy browser extensions are Hola, ZenMate, and ProxMate.

Once you have a proxy server, you need to configure your browser settings to use it. Depending on your browser, you can find the proxy settings under the network, connection, or advanced options. You need to enter the proxy server’s IP address and port number, and select the protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS, etc.). You can also choose to use the proxy server for all websites, or only for specific ones.

After setting up the proxy server, you should be able to access the Japanese website that you want to visit. However, keep in mind that using a proxy server has some drawbacks, such as:

• It might slow down your browsing speed, as your traffic has to go through an extra hop.
• It might compromise your privacy and security, as the proxy server can see and modify your traffic. You should avoid using a proxy server for sensitive or personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or online banking.
• It might not work for some websites that have advanced VPN detection or anti-proxy measures.

2. Use a web-based proxy service

A web-based proxy service is a website that allows you to access another website through its interface. It works similarly to a proxy server, but you do not need to configure your browser settings or install any software. You just need to enter the URL of the website that you want to access, and the web-based proxy service will fetch it for you.

Some examples of web-based proxy services are Hide.me, ProxFree, and CroxyProxy. These services usually have options to choose the server location, enable or disable cookies, scripts, or encryption, and modify the user agent or referrer.

Using a web-based proxy service is convenient and easy, but it also has some limitations, such as:

• It might not support some features or functions of the original website, such as videos, images, or interactive elements.
• It might alter the appearance or layout of the original website, as it might inject ads, banners, or pop-ups.
• It might not work for some websites that have strict security or anti-proxy measures.

3. Use a browser-based VPN service

A browser-based VPN service is a browser extension or app that can create a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. It can also hide your IP address and location, and allow you to access region-locked websites. Unlike a regular VPN service, a browser-based VPN service only affects your browser traffic, and not your entire device.

Some examples of browser-based VPN services are TunnelBear, Windscribe, and Opera VPN. These services usually have options to choose the server location, enable or disable encryption, and block ads or trackers.

Using a browser-based VPN service is simple and fast, but it also has some disadvantages, such as:

• It might consume more bandwidth, as it encrypts your traffic.
• It might reduce your browsing speed, as it routes your traffic through a VPN server.
• It might not work for some websites that have advanced VPN detection or anti-VPN measures.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed how to bypass the regional restriction of a Japanese website that you want to visit. We have suggested three possible solutions: using a proxy server, using a web-based proxy service, or using a browser-based VPN service. Each solution has its own pros and cons, and you might need to try different ones to find the best one for your needs.

We

hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! 😊