Yes, you can watch Japanese TV channels outside of Japan. However, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably tried and failed. If you’re an expat or just a fan of Japanese content (as many people are these days), channels like TV Tokyo, SKY PerfecTV!, and Fuji Television are treasure troves of delightful shows, movies, and anime. Not to mention breaking news and insightful documentaries.
Unfortunately, content licensing restraints mean most are inaccessible from abroad — at least until you change your IP address to Japan. The most effective way to do so? Using a virtual private network (VPN).
This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to watch Japanese TV channels when you’re abroad with a VPN. And as they’re not all on the same level, we present the best options.
Watch Japanese TV Channels Outside of Japan in 5 Easy Steps
Streaming Japanese television channels from anywhere boils down to connecting to a VPN server located within the country. It’s a pretty simple process. Simply follow the steps below, and you’ll be catching up on all your favorite content in no time.
Let’s get down to it.
1. Choose a Trustworthy VPN Service
Your chosen VPN should have a robust network of servers, including in Japan, so you have options and there’s minimal lag. But while Japanese servers are a priority, that’s not the only factor to consider.
You want a provider with excellent geo-restriction bypassing capabilities to provide access to the channels you’re interested in streaming. Fast speeds ensure you’re not constantly plagued by buffering, and your provider must be capable of keeping your online activities under the radar.
We recommend NordVPN because it ticks those boxes and more. Grab a generous 70% discount on its biennial plan, and you’ll also snag three additional months at no extra cost (depending on the active promotion).
Stream Japanese TV With NordVPN
2. Sign Up
Once you’ve selected a VPN provider with servers in Japan, proceed to register for an account on its official website. Head to the pricing page and explore the various premium plans. Select one that fits your budget and preferences and pay using one of the available payment methods.
Depending on the VPN, you may be redirected to the payment system’s website to complete the transaction.
3. Install the VPN App
Next, head over to the download page to download and install the VPN application on your device.
Most providers offer apps for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It’s a straightforward process, but you may find helpful assistance on the VPN’s knowledge base should you need some.
4. Connect to a Japanese Server
Launch your newly installed VPN app and log in using your account credentials. For NordVPN, that will be an email and password, which you’ll create during the subscription process. Follow the prompts that pop up to explore or set up the client.
Once done, navigate to the server selection menu on the home screen and scroll (or use the search field) to find a Japanese-based server. Select it and click once on it to connect to a server and obtain your IP from Japan.
5. Verify Your Japanese IP Address and Watch Japanese Television Abroad
Skip this stage if you selected NordVPN or any of its highly-rated alternatives in the first step. If you’re not quite sure of the quality of your VPN, visit an online IP address checker website to confirm your new virtual location.
The location on the online tool and that on your VPN should match. If that’s the case, you’re all clear and set to enjoy your Japanese television content, regardless of your actual location.
Why You Need a VPN For This
Japan boasts a vibrant TV scene. There’s everything from heart-pounding anime to captivating dramas and hilarious game shows. It’s truly exciting. When you’re back there, you only need a TV subscription (and sometimes not even that) to enjoy these diverse offerings. But it’s not quite that simple once you travel abroad.
So, what’s the challenge? Many Japanese TV channels and streaming platforms employ geo-location technology, which identifies your location based on your IP address. That’s not an issue when you’re in Japan.
However, if the detected location is elsewhere, access is instantly blocked, and you’ll see a variation of this:
“This content is unavailable in your location.”
Thankfully, it’s a problem with a solution: spoofing your online location. There are a few ways to do this, but a VPN is easily the most reliable approach.
When you connect to a VPN server in Japan, the technology reroutes your online traffic through a secure, encrypted tunnel to that server. In the process, it masks your IP address and provides a virtual replacement assigned to the Japanese server.
It’s a clever tactic that makes it appear like you’re browsing the internet from The Land of the Samurai, even if you’re physically located halfway across the world. And those geo-restrictions that once blocked your access to Japanese TV channels? They’re no longer an issue.
The Top 3 VPNs for Watching Japanese TV Channels Abroad
A reliable and reputable VPN service grants you access to television content from Japan. However, we recognize that you may be stuck choosing a provider that delivers without compromising your online privacy.
So, we assessed dozens of VPN services to arrive at this list of the best options. The factors considered include network coverage, unblocking capabilities, speed, and security and privacy features.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN has made a name for itself as a privacy-focused VPN provider. That said, it’s versatile and an excellent option for unblocking Japanese TV channels from abroad.
The Panama-based provider comes with a massive collection featuring 6,400+ servers across 111 countries globally. It has over 130 servers in Tokyo and Osaka, so you can browse like a local even when you’re far away.
NordVPN offers fantastic performance, even beating ExpressVPN as a more expensive rival in our fastest VPN rankings. Even if you connect to a Japanese server from long distances, connection speeds are unlikely to plummet. That said, you’ll get the best results from using its custom NordLynx protocol, which is built on WireGuard.
The provider easily bypasses geo-blocks on websites, streaming services, and Japanese TV channels. Consequently, you can stream anime and shows like Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia on Netflix, Hulu, and other platforms hassle-free.
NordVPN is highly secure. It scrambles your data with AES 256-bit encryption so no one else — not even your ISP — can see what you’re doing online. In addition, you’re protected from DNS and IP leaks, and a kill switch prevents your data from getting compromised when the VPN connection drops. The provider doesn’t store any personally identifying logs on its servers.
NordVPN recently bumped its cap on simultaneous device connections to 10, so your whole household can stream without needing to log in and out. The VPN supports a wide array of platforms, including all the popular options.
There’s a way out if you’re not impressed by its service. You may cancel your subscription and request a refund within 30 days.
2. ExpressVPN
Our #2 preferred choice for watching Japanese TV channels online is also arguably the best VPN overall with NordVPN.
British Virgin Islands-based ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers across 105 countries. That includes Japan, which means you can get a Japanese IP address for unrestricted access to region-locked websites and online services.
ExpressVPN comes with next-gen 10 Gbps servers, translating to blazing-fast connection speeds. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is one of the fastest out there, and the VPN has best-in-class network infrastructure optimization. Put together, these factors significantly reduce your chances of encountering pesky buffering while you stream or browse, even in ultra-HD resolution.
Plus, it breaks past any geo-block you throw at it. Apart from Japanese channels like Nippon TV, Fuji TV, and TV Tokyo, ExpressVPN lets you enjoy exclusive libraries on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney, and many other popular streaming services.
On top of that, ExpressVPN will keep you shielded from hackers, your ISP, and other meddling actors. It comes with several standard and advanced features, including military-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and RAM-only services. Plus, it has a strict no-logs policy.
You can watch your favorite shows on your computer, phone, streaming device, and even your smart TV, thanks to the provider’s wide compatibility. A single subscription covers up to eight devices simultaneously.
If you’re interested in giving ExpressVPN a go, you’d be doing so risk-free, as it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. CyberGhost
A wallet-friendly ExpressVPN alternative, there’s plenty to like about CyberGhost, such as its absolutely massive network comprising over 12,000 servers. Around 105 are located in Tokyo, Japan’s capital, so you have plenty of options for smooth connections.
Some of those servers are specially optimized for torrenting, gaming, and streaming. If you feel like watching One Piece on Netflix, you can hop on a server in the latter category, and the VPN will unlock access. It’s just as effective for other platforms like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney Plus, as well as Japanese TV channels.
You’ll enjoy fast, consistent connection speeds thanks to 10 Gbps servers and performance-friendly protocols like WireGuard. Plus, since there are no bandwidth limits, you needn’t worry about throttling, even if you’re streaming for hours on end.
CyberGhost keeps your data safe with bank-level AES 256-bit encryption, the cipher preferred by US defense agencies. It provides several other features, including a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a handy Wi-Fi protection tool.
The provider is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and devices, and you can connect up to seven devices at the same time.
While CyberGhost’s monthly plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee, those six months and longer come with an industry-leading 45-day refund policy. You have more than enough time to make up your mind.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Watch Japanese TV Outside Japan?
It’s not impossible to stream content on Japanese TV channels from abroad with a free VPN for Japan. Do we recommend doing so? Not if you’re looking for a smooth, seamless experience. While we certainly understand the allure of free providers, you want to consider their potential drawbacks before making the move.
For one, most free VPNs have pretty limited server networks, so finding one with Japanese servers is difficult. Of the few free VPNs we trust, only AtlasVPN and Proton VPN provide those elusive servers to non-paying users.
Besides, you’ll have to grapple with significant limitations like data caps, bandwidth limits, and snail-slow connection speeds — all of which can lead to frustrating streaming experiences. That is if the VPN can bypass the geo-restrictions on Japanese TV channels to begin with.
It gets worse. Free VPNs may compromise your online privacy by logging your browsing activity or injecting ads into your browsing sessions because they have to make money somehow. What’s more, they may come with subpar features and vulnerabilities, putting your data at risk.
All things considered, you’re much better off paying for a premium service. Cheaper options like CyberGhost (considering long-term plans) provide excellent value for money.
Conclusion
Japanese TV channels are packed with loads of exciting content, from anime to shows, movies, and more. Unfortunately, a trip abroad usually means you’re cut off from much of the content you’re interested in until you return. Thankfully, using a quality VPN recovers your access in no time.
In this article, we’ve recommended a few providers, but NordVPN stands out with its exceptional performance and reliability. Take advantage of the VPN’s generous 70% discount on its 2-year subscription fee, and you’ll receive three extra months in the bargain.
Watch Japanese TV Abroad With NordVPN
FAQs
How can I watch Japanese TV from abroad?
To watch Japanese TV channels abroad, you can use a VPN service with servers located in Japan. Simply connect to a Japanese server through the VPN app, and you can access all your favorite channels from anywhere in the world.
Where can I watch Japanese TV for free?
You can watch Japanese TV content for free on various channels, including NHK World Japan, TV Tokyo, Fuji TV, TV Japan Live, TBS, Abema TV, and Asahi TV. That said, most of these platforms are only available to Japanese residents, so you need a VPN for unrestricted access.
Can I watch Japanese TV in the US?
You can find some Japanese content (especially anime and TV shows) on services like Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll. However, thanks to licensing agreements, actual TV channels and their full range of content are restricted to the Japanese home audience — until you use a VPN.
