【2024年10月最新】 ネトフリ(Netflix)でジブリを見る方法、VPNでNetflixを見る手順と注意点

Is Tsukuba University VPNgate Free to Use? A Detailed Guide on How to Use It and Its Risks

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What you’ll learn in this article
  • Tsukuba University VPNgate is safe
  • NordVPN is Better for Watching Netflix and Amazon Prime
  • Tsukuba University VPNgate has the disadvantage of slow communication speed

Tsukuba University VPNgate is a VPN that the University of Tsukuba has made available to the world for free. It is becoming very popular due to its high reliability and the fact that it is free.

However, many Japanese people living abroad make use of VPNs that are recommended overseas.

Why is Tsukuba University VPNgate not chosen overseas? We will also introduce the reasons and the dangers of using VPN.

Browser VPNs tend to be quite slow, so unless you have a good reason not to, I recommend using an app. Even paid VPNs offer a long period of free use.

30-day trial period (money-back guarantee)! & special offer of 3 months free

There is a 30-day trial period (with a money-back guarantee) so you can try it out with confidence.

30-day trial period (money-back guarantee) + 69% off

There is a 30-day trial period (with a money-back guarantee) so you can try it out with confidence.

What is Tsukuba University VPNgate?

VPN Gate is a VPN service provided by the University of Tsukuba for research purposes.

Quoted from Tsukuba University VPN gate
Quoted from Tsukuba University VPN gate

University of Tsukuba VPNgate User Reviews

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of VPN Gate from reviews.

The benefits of Tsukuba University VPNgate are the following three points.

  • It’s free
  • No account registration required
  • Domestic and international servers available

On the other hand, there are two disadvantages:

  • Slower connection speeds compared to paid VPNs
  • There is no dedicated app

Recommended for beginners

I wanted to try using a VPN for the first time, but I thought it would be too difficult to start using a paid service. VPN Gate is completely free and doesn’t require an account or credit card registration, so I was able to use the service easily.

You can access overseas web pages and services from overseas servers

The servers are updated daily, and although the number of servers is not fixed, I think it’s good that you can use overseas servers for free. However, the connection speed can be slow. Security may also be inferior to paid services.

I want a dedicated app

I thought it was great that the website was in Japanese and had explanations on everything from how to connect to mirror sites in case of an emergency. It might be even better if there was a dedicated app.

Features of Tsukuba University VPNgate

VPN Gate has three features:

① You can freely browse overseas websites

VPN Gate is made up of VPN servers provided by volunteers. Since volunteers from all over the world connect to providers (communications carriers) in their countries, each VPN server is also distributed among the volunteers. By connecting from a VPN server located overseas, you can access overseas websites.

This means that if you use an overseas server, you can watch videos on YouTube that say “This video is not available in your country.”

②You can communicate while hiding your IP address

When you connect to a VPN, your IP address is rewritten, allowing you to use the Internet safely. (An IP address is like an address on the Internet, and can reveal information such as your location.)

You don’t want someone to see your real IP address and use it for malicious purposes, so use a VPN to protect your privacy.

3. Encryption allows safe use of public wireless LAN

Your communication is encrypted when it goes through a VPN server.

Have you ever seen stickers saying “Wi-Fi available” at airports, hotels, restaurants, etc.? If you use free Wi-Fi in such places via a VPN, you can prevent your personal information from leaking.

Efforts to prevent fraudulent use

VPN Gate is committed to preventing abuse and misuse.

Therefore, records of your access to the server will be stored by VPN Gate for three months.

If fraud is discovered, the information will be disclosed to investigative and judicial authorities, but there is no need to worry as long as you use the service ethically.

How fast is Tsukuba University VPNgate?

In short, it depends on each server.

This is because the internet speeds of the providers used by volunteers vary.

You can check the speed of each server from the VPN server list on the website under “Connection Quality,” the fourth item from the left. The faster the connection speed (Mbps) and the lower the Ping value, the more comfortable the VPN server will be.

It’s convenient because you can see the speed of each server from the server list. I actually watched a YouTube video using a Japanese server and it worked without any problems.

Can the University of Tsukuba VPNgate be connected in China?

It also connects in China.

Using a VPN server overseas allows you to get around government firewalls.

A firewall is a censorship system.

China has strict internet restrictions that mean you can’t access YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook, so a VPN is essential.

However, when stricter restrictions are imposed, there is a possibility that the VPN will not work or the connection will be unstable. For this reason, we recommend that you make some preparations in advance to use the internet in China.

What to do before going to China

  • Download or set up a VPN app or software
  • Use a VPN as both your primary and secondary
  • Register for VPN Gate mirror site URL email delivery service

If you arrive at the destination and cannot use the internet, you will not be able to download the files. This can be solved by configuring the settings in advance.

Also, if you have two or more VPN services available, you can switch to the secondary one to communicate when your primary one is restricted and unavailable.

A mirror site is a copy of a site. If you cannot access the VPN Gate website, you can access the list of VPN servers from the mirror site. When you register, you will receive a list of three mirror site URLs per day.

It would be very frustrating if you arrived at your destination and couldn’t use the Internet, so if you prepare in advance, even if it’s a little bit of a hassle, you won’t have to worry.

However, China’s internet restrictions can be completely different depending on the day. It would be a tragedy if you were unable to use the internet after you went to China, so let’s just accept this and prepare a VPN that is strong enough for China.

If you use it in China,

There is no charge for the free trial. You will not be automatically charged after the free trial ends.

Is it easy to set up Tsukuba University VPNgate?

Setup is easy.

The connection methods are different, so we will explain them in the order of smartphone and computer.

For smartphones

You can easily set it up using the app.

① From the list of VPN servers on the VPN Gate website, select the server you want to connect to and tap “OpenVPN Configuration File” in the fourth item from the right, “OpenVPN.”

② Download the “.oVPN file with the DDNS hostname embedded in it.” (Tap on the blue text.)

③Install the OpenVPN app from Google Play Store (App Store).

④ When you open the app, the terms and conditions will appear, so tap “AGREE” in the bottom right. (It’s not available in Japanese, but it’s a simple operation so don’t worry.) Tap “FILE” in the top right, tap “BROWSE” in the center, and select the file downloaded in ②. It will ask “Import .oVPN profile?”, so tap OK.

⑤The “Imported Profile” screen will now be displayed. Check “Connect after import” and tap “ADD” in the upper right corner to complete the connection. If there is a lock symbol on the status bar (the area with symbols at the top of the smartphone screen), you are connected to the VPN.

On a PC

You can also connect using SoftEther VPN Client, but we recommend using the easier L2TP/IPsec method.

From the list of VPN servers on the VPN Gate website, find the fifth item from the right, “L2TP/IPsec,” with a green check mark, and take note of the “DDNS name” of the server you want to use. (It should be in bold and end with .net.)

②From Windows Settings “Network and Internet”, click “VPN” and then “Add a VPN connection”.

③Enter information in each field of “Add VPN connection”.

From top to bottom:

“VPN Provider: Windows (Built-in)”

“Connection name: VPN Gate *Enter a name that lets you know what you are connecting to”

“Server name or address: the DDNS name noted in step ①”

“VPN Type: L2TP/IPsec with pre-shared key”

“Pre-shared key: VPN”

“Type of sign-in info: Username and password”

“Username: VPN”

“Password: VPN”

4. Click “Save” in the bottom right and then “Connect,” then click “VPN Gate” connection on the right side of the settings screen to complete the connection.

Can I use Tsukuba University VPNgate on any device?

The following devices can be connected:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • iPhone/iPad (iOS)
  • Android

The recommended supported protocols vary by device.

・Windows: SoftEther VPN

(Others: L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, MS-SSTP)

・macOS, iOS, Android: L2TP/IPsec

(Other: OpenVPN)

How much does Tsukuba University VPNgate cost?

VPN Gate is free and anyone can use it without registering an account.

Volunteers around the world rent out their computers as VPN servers.

The service is provided free of charge as the electricity costs for volunteers’ computers are minimal and a small burden.

We found out that it’s free thanks to volunteers, and we can also lend out computers to them.

Can I watch Netflix and Amazon Prime Video with Tsukuba University VPN gate?

It is possible to watch Nrtflix and Amazon Prime Video with Tsukuba University VPN gate. However, the connection speed is slow, so you will definitely experience stuttering.

VPNs tend to slow down your internet connection, so if you want to watch videos, it is recommended that you use a VPN with a high speed connection.

The most recommended VPN for watching videos is NordVPN. It costs about 300 yen per month and you can use it as much as you want, so please give it a try.

30-day trial period (money-back guarantee) + 69% off

There is a 30-day trial period (with a money-back guarantee) so you can try it out with confidence.

summary

VPN Gate is free and easy to set up, so you can start using it right away.

You can also use it as a secondary VPN when traveling to countries with restrictions.

In fact, there is news that access to VPN Gate from Russia increased six-fold before and after the invasion of Ukraine. ( The Asahi Shimbun GLOBE+ 2022.07.20 )

This is a VPN that we recommend for those who are using a VPN for the first time or who want to try it out.

Browser VPNs tend to be quite slow, so unless you have a good reason not to, I recommend using an app. Even paid VPNs offer a long period of free use.

30-day trial period (money-back guarantee)! & special offer of 3 months free

There is a 30-day trial period (with a money-back guarantee) so you can try it out with confidence.

30-day trial period (money-back guarantee) + 69% off

There is a 30-day trial period (with a money-back guarantee) so you can try it out with confidence.