How to watch Abema (abema.tv) outside Japan

Abema is geo-blocked outside of Japan for licensing reasons. If you want to keep watching Abema while traveling abroad, you’re going to need the help of a VPN. We explain how to use a VPN to watch Abema abroad, plus the best VPNs for streaming abroad.

If you have ever tried to stream Abema on vacation, you will have received this frustrating error message:

お住まいの地域ではご視聴できません

This roughly translates in English to “Not available in your area.” We feel your pain. So many of us eagerly anticipate watching the vast, free content on Abema.tv during our vacations, only to be hit with this geo-block. Why should your location dictate what you watch?

We have researched and tested various solutions to this annoying issue. Enter the VPN, a game-changer. When expertly used, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) masks your actual location, giving you a Japanese IP address. It’s like being digitally transported to Japan, making AbemaTV believe you’re right there. Beyond just entertainment, a VPN shields your online activities, encrypting your traffic and making your online actions invisible and untraceable. Were you blocked from accessing Abema at work or school? A well-chosen VPN is what you need.

However, not all VPNs are created equal. TV platforms like Abema have upped their game, relentlessly blocking numerous VPNs. However, through exhaustive testing, we’ve identified the best VPNs that breakthrough Abema’s barriers. Delve into our guide as we unveil how to use a VPN to access Abema seamlessly.tv from anywhere in the world, and unveil our top VPN picks tailor-made for Abema streaming.

Best VPNs for Abema:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Abema. 80+ servers in Japan. Super-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Servers optimized for torrenting. Lots of advanced privacy features. Strict no-logs policy. 24/7 live chat support. Risk free, 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Abema TV.
2. Surfshark: Best budget option for Abema. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Perfect for large families. Works with Abema, Netflix, iPlayer, and tons of international services. 24/7 support included. Fastest VPN in our latest tests. Robust encryption and a no logs policy.
3. IPVanish: Unlimited bandwidth to stream Abema without buffering. Connect all of your devices at once. Zero-logs policy. Robust AES-256 encryption. Servers in 50+ countries, including Japan. 24/7 live chat support.
4. ExpressVPN: 3,000+ servers in 94 countries. Fast speeds for streaming Abema and Netflix. Secure AES encryption and a kill-switch. 24/7 support. No logs. Beginner-friendly apps.
5. CyberGhost: Over 7,000 servers in 90 countries. 50+ servers in Japan. Works with Abema, Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix US. Connect up to seven devices simultaneously.
6. PrivateVPN: Very fast server speeds. Works to stream Abema, Netflix, Disney+, DAZN, and more. User-friendly apps with plenty of advanced privacy features. Robust AES encryption. Accepts Bitcoin.

How to watch Abema online from anywhere with a VPN

Once you have picked a VPN with Japanese servers that work with Abema, setting it up is very easy. Just follow the steps below to unblock Abema on holiday, at work, or in school:

Here’s how to stream Abema abroad using a VPN:

1. Start by signing up with a VPN service. As you will see from this guide, we particularly recommend NordVPN because it is the best service to stream Japanese TV.
2. Download and install the VPN’s app onto your devices. You will find that it has apps for desktop, mobiles, and other platforms.
3. Launch the VPN app, login, and connect to a server in Japan. This will allow you to stream Abema anywhere that it has been blocked (both in Japan or abroad)
4. Go to AbemaTV and select the show or movie that you want to stream. It should now play without restrictions!

If Abema is still blocked, clear your browser’s cookies and cache and refresh the page. Alternatively, get in touch with your VPN’s customer support to find out which Japanese server is optimized for streaming.

Best VPNs for Abema

Not all VPNs have servers in Japan that work with Abema, and not all those that do are fast enough to stream in HD. What’s more, many VPNs fail to provide the privacy features you need to use the internet without being tracked.

At Comparitech, we only recommend the best possible VPNs for any given task. To do this, we use a data-based testing methodology to recommend VPNs. Below, you can see the primary criteria we used to recommend VPNs for Abema. For more information about how we test VPNs, follow the link above.

• A global server network, including servers in Japan.
• Lightning fast servers and unlimited bandwidth for streaming.
• Reliable apps with robust encryption and advanced features, such as a kill-switch and obfuscation.
• Protection against DNS, IP or WebRTC leaks.
• A watertight no logs policy to protect your privacy now and in the future.
• User-friendly apps for desktop computers, mobile devices, and other platforms.
• Outstanding value for money.

Use the summaries below to pick one of the best VPNs for Abema:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024 works with AbemaTested Nov 2024

NordVPN is our top pick for various reasons. It has over 80 servers in Japan that are perfect for streaming popular services like Disney+, DAZN, Prime Video, Netflix, and Abema. Plus, it has servers in 59 countries that work to access geo-restricted content from all over the world.

NordVPN’s servers are optimized for HD streaming, which means they are fast enough to stream HD content without buffering. The VPN also has its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which gives it some of the fastest VPN speeds on the market.

If you want to stream Abema at work or in school, NordVPN is ideal. It provides secure apps for all platforms with DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, and obfuscation. These privacy features ensure you never leak data outside of the secure VPN tunnel.

NordVPN also provides OpenVPN connections with military grade AES encryption. This ensures that no ISP, local network administrator, or government snoop can monitor your web habits. Plus, NordVPN has a watertight no-logs policy.

Need help? You can contact its 24/7 live chat support. However, NordVPN is easy to use on all devices thanks to its custom apps, so you shouldn’t have issues. That said, it has more advanced features than just about any other service! You can test NordVPN yourself thanks to its 30-day money back guarantee.

BEST VPN FOR ABEMA:NordVPN is our #1 choice. A highly secure VPN that works reliably with Abema and other popular Japanese services. Connect up to 6 devices simultaneously. Lots of advanced privacy features. No logs policy. Risk-free 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

works with AbemaTested Nov 2024

Surfshark is an excellent option for anybody on a budget. The VPN has only been around since 2018, but it has quickly risen to be a consumer favorite. It has over 3,200 servers in 65 countries including Japan, and it works to stream Abema, Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Disney+, DAZN, and just about anything else you can think of.

Surfshark has superb apps for all platforms that come with a kill-switch, ad blocking, malware protection, obfuscation, and 256-bit AES encryption (OpenVPN protocol). Despite all these features, subscriptions are very cheap. Best of all, it allows an unlimited number of connections. That means you can share a single subscription with family and friends.

Your privacy is assured thanks to DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection and a strict no logs policy. It even has a NoBorders feature to get around especially strict geo-blocking and censorship.

Finally, where speeds are concerned, Surfshark is excellent. Thanks to its WireGuard implementation it was recently found to be the fastest VPN on the market. If you have any questions you can contact its 24/7 live chat support agents. An incredible all-rounder that you can test risk-free thanks to its 30-day money back guarantee.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark lets you use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. Fastest VPN for streaming. Lots of advanced features. Secure no logs policy. Works to stream over 20 Netflix regions. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

works with abemaTested Nov 2024

IPVanish is a popular choice for streaming because of its high-speed connections and far-reaching server network. It has around 20 servers in Tokyo, to let you watch Abema and other Japanese TV services without any buffering or lag.

IPVanish may have fewer servers than some of its rivals, but it’s proprietary network is neatly spread across over 50 countries, and helps to protect your privacy whether you use the net at home or on public WiFi.

Best of all, IPVanish has no connection limits, which makes it perfect for families or people who want to protect a large number of devices. It also makes it a superb option if you are going on holiday in a big group and all want to be able to use Japanese banking services or TV services while away.

Security is assured thanks to IPv6 and DNS leak protection, as well as 256-bit encryption. There is also a kill switch, XOR obfuscation, and a no-logs policy to ensure your activities can’t be traced back to you.

The VPN has a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can test it yourself with any streaming platform to see if it works.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:Large proprietary network of servers. Allows an unlimited number of connections. Fast speeds to stream Abema and other Japanese services. Strong privacy features, including AES encryption and a kill-switch. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review

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4. ExpressVPN

works with abemaTested Nov 2024

ExpressVPN is well-known as one of the most subscribed VPNs in the world. It is popular due to its high-speed servers in 94 countries around the world, including Japan. This allows you to bypass censorship or geo-restrictions no matter where you go.

What’s more, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, this VPN provides exceptionally fast speeds for streaming Abema, DAZN, Disney+, and other streaming services that are popular in Japan, and that may have been blocked by your employer or school. Plus, this VPN works with over two dozen Netflix regions, Hulu, iPlayer, HBO Max, and just about anything else you can think of.

ExpressVPN protects your network traffic using 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch that cuts your net should the VPN connection drop. It is also a solid no-logs VPN, that only ever analyzes non-identifiable aggregated data to ensure the VPN is running at optimum levels.

Support is available 24/7 via live chat or email. And this VPN allows five simultaneous connections, which is usually enough for most users (though admittedly is pretty low compared to many VPNs nowadays). Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS systems, and you can install it manually on select routers.

STREAM ABEMA ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN makes it easy to watch Abema and other Japanese services on holiday. Exceptional speeds. Strong enough privacy and security features to stream Abema at work. Kill-switch and obfuscation. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

works with abemaTested Nov 2024

CyberGhost VPN is a provider based in Romania that we highly recommend for beginners. The VPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS – and all those apps are uncomplicated and easy to use.

Despite having fewer advanced features to worry about, this VPN has everything you need to gain online privacy from your ISP, local network admins, and government snoops. This means you can unblock Abema at work or in school without anybody finding out.

Cyberghost has 6,900 servers in nearly 90 countries around the world. This includes 53 servers in Japan to stream popular platforms like Hulu, DAZN, Abema, Disney+, and iPlayer. Plus, CyberGhost makes streaming easier by highlighting its streaming servers in its apps, and it works with Netflix too!

While this VPN is well-suited to beginners, it still has important features like 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, automatic malware-detection, and ad-blocking. You can also connect up to seven devices at once. This makes it a great all rounder, that is ideally suited to the majority of house-hold consumers.

Finally, CyberGhost  has a no-logs policy, so you can stream safely without worrying about third parties acquiring details about your activities. Well worth testing using its generous 45-day money back guarantee.

SUPERB VALUE:CyberGhost is very easy to use. Excellent value for money. Superb speeds and reliability. Great for unblocking Abema and other Japanese platforms. Comes with a 45-day money back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

works with abemaTested Nov 2024

PrivateVPN is a consumer-favorite VPN. It has servers in 63 countries, including Japan. That makes it a great option for streaming Abema and other Japanese services.

PrivateVPN’s popularity comes from its ability to unblock streams. It works with Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and about two dozen Netflix regions – to name a few. This kind of accessibility is impressive considering the relative low cost of a subscription.

Users can connect up to 6 devices with a single subscription, which is enough for most power users. And it has apps for all popular platforms, to ensure you can gain privacy and online security whether at home or on public Wi-Fi.

PrivateVPN keeps your digital footprint secure with 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and protection against both IPv6 and DNS leaks. It also has obfuscation and SOCKS5 proxy, making it a good all rounder for torrenting.

Finally, live chat is available most of the day, though admittedly it is not quite 24/7. Despite this we found it to be an excellent level of support, with agents able to remotely install or configure the software for you, if necessary.

EXCELLENT PRIVACY FEATURES:Fast speeds for streaming and torrenting. Servers in 63 countries. Japanese servers work with Abema. Connect up to 6 devices on the same account. No logs policy. Kill-switch. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Can I use a free VPN for Abema?

No. Although searching on app stores for free VPNs will bring back results, we strongly recommend against using these services.

Free VPNs are massively over-subscribed, which means their few servers are congested. To cope with this, free VPNs often engage in bandwidth throttling. This further reduces the performance of already-sluggish servers and makes the VPN terrible for streaming.

In addition to slow speeds, we have yet to find reliable free VPNs with servers in Japan that work with Abema and other popular services. So, even if you did find a free server in Japan, it is doubtful to work with popular streaming platforms.

Performance issues aside, free VPNs must be treated with high levels of skepticism. Running a VPN is expensive because of the constant server costs involved. This means that the VPN must make money somehow.

Free VPNs create income by monetizing your data and tracking your online habits. As a result, using free VPNs will cause you to be served more ads, and will cause your data to be disseminated to third parties such as data brokers.

Free services have also been found to lie about the level of protection they provide, to have badly implemented (or no) encryption, to suffer from severe leaks, and even to contain spyware. This makes using free VPNs a massive risk to your online security and privacy.

Is it legal to stream Abema on vacation?

Getting around geo-restrictions is not considered illegal in most jurisdictions, because it does not involve doing anything but streaming content you would usually be able to watch at home anyway.

That said, piracy is a fairly severe violation in Japan compared to other countries. With this in mind, even though you are not file sharing and are not engaging in any piracy, you may still feel more at ease using a highly secure VPN with robust encryption and privacy features – like the ones recommended in this guide.

A reliable VPN prevents you being tracked, which means that Abema will not know you are streaming on holiday. All things considered, using a secure VPN to unblock Abema is safe and we have never seen evidence of anybody getting in trouble.

Best Abema VPN FAQs