How to Watch Japanese TV: Unlock Japanese Series & Anime

Isn’t it frustrating that content remains confined within geographical boundaries in today’s globalized digital landscape? Whether it’s your favorite Japanese series or a much-anticipated anime episode, geo-restrictions can dampen the excitement. Like you, millions experience this roadblock daily when they want to watch Japanese TV abroad, irrespective of borders. In this article, we show you how to bypass such restrictions with a VPN.

VPNs are your ticket to a borderless online universe. Using a VPN, your internet traffic travels incognito, shielded in a fortified, encrypted tunnel so no one can see your digital footprints. In addition, it spoofs your location, making it look as though you are connecting from somewhere other than your physical location. In this case, you’d choose a server in Japan and be able to access Japanese content from anywhere.

Ready to bypass limitations? Our exhaustive reviews below will guide you to the best VPNs for Japanese content enthusiasts and explain exactly how to use them to access Japanese TV from anywhere. Pressed for time? Don’t worry; we’ll start with a quick summary of the best options. Let’s make geo-restrictions a thing of the past!

Best VPN for Japanese TV:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for streaming Japanese TV channels. Over 130 servers in Japan for streaming Fuji TV. Connect up to 10 devices at once. No-logs service with 24/7 support and double VPN servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Japanese TV.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN for Japanese content.  Unlimited simultaneous connections. Stream Japanese TV, including NHK and TV Asahi. Excellent apps, 24/7 support, and plenty of security features.
3. IPVanish: Use on an unlimited number of devices at once. Fast servers in Japan to stream TBS TV without lag. User-friendly apps, 24/7 support, and the lowest month-by-month price on our list.
4. ExpressVPN: 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries. Fast, reliable connections. Unblocks NHK, Nippon TV, and other streaming services in Japan. Secure and offers 24/7 support.
5. CyberGhost: 232+ servers in Japan. Watch Netflix Japan, TV Asahi, and TV Tokyo. Very fast speeds for lag-free streaming. Strong security and allows up to seven simultaneous connections.
6. PureVPN: Low-cost VPN with servers in 65+ countries, including Japan, for accessing TVer, FOD, Hulu, Netflix, and others.
7. ProtonVPN: Impressive VPN with plenty of advanced features for tech-savvy users. Works with many popular TV channels and streaming platforms.
8. PrivateVPN: Works with Nippon TV, Hulu Japan, and Tokyo MX. Beginner-friendly desktop and mobile apps. Offers a no-logs policy, strong encryption, and powerful obfuscation.

How to stream Japanese TV abroad with a VPN

In order to watch Japanese TV shows abroad, you’ll need to connect to a VPN server. This is quick and easy to do. Simply follow the step-by-step proven guide below, and you’ll be streaming your favorite Japanese drama or anime content outside Japan in a matter of minutes:

Based on our testing, here’s how you watch Japanese TV online with a VPN:

1. The first step is to sign up with a VPN that has servers in Japan. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Next, download and install one of the VPN’s apps on your streaming devices. Be sure to check that it’s the correct version for your operating system.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a Japanese VPN server for a Japanese IP address. This allows you to spoof your location and stream Japanese TV shows overseas.
4. Go to your preferred Japanese streaming platform and select any geo-blocked content that should now play without restriction.
5. If the content is still blocked, you should clear your browser’s cookies. Alternatively, try another server or contact your VPN’s customer support for further assistance.

Choosing the best VPNs for watching Japanese TV online

While many VPNs offer servers in Japan, the quality of these VPNs varies fairly drastically. To make sure that we only recommend the best, we test providers in the following areas:

• Speed: We carried out several speed tests while connected to each provider’s servers in Japan. We used a rate-limited machine to simulate a real user’s experience.
• Streaming ability: We tested each VPN with the Japan-only services: TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Abema TV. We also tested which international platforms the VPNs were compatible with the big-name international streaming services.
• Value for money: To find the VPNs that offer the best deal for potential subscribers, we evaluate them against eight unique criteria — ranging from the number of permitted connections to the cost of the cheapest plan.
• Security and privacy: VPNs are primarily designed to protect your connection. To make sure they do this properly, we evaluate them against 16 different criteria. These include the strength of encryption and whether leak protection is offered.
• Ease of use: We try to prioritize VPNs that provide an easy-to-use service. To find out which these are, we evaluate them against 10 individual metrics, such as app quality and the existence of router support.

You can read more about how we test the VPNs we recommend and the results of those tests in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impress us.

Best VPNs for Japanese TV: Our hands-on review

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for streaming Japanese TV.

Best VPNs for Japanese TV

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching Japanese TV online from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN has a network of over 6,000 servers, some 130 of which are located in Japan. As such, you can use this VPN service to unblock region-locked content from all over the world, including Japanese TV such as Fuji TV and TBS TV.

We tested the speed of NordVPN’s servers in Japan to see if they were suitable for streaming. As you can see from the chart below, the answer is “yes”. For reference our speed before we connected to a VPN was 250 Mbps.

Speeds averaged 171.76 Mbps, which is more than fast enough for streaming  Japanese TV or Netflix Japan in UHD. Along with offering high-speed Japanese servers, NordVPN has some optimized for P2P file-sharing and special obfuscated servers for bypassing strict internet restrictions.

With NordVPN, you can connect up to 10 devices at once. You’ll also have access to 24/7 support via live chat and email. NordVPN operates a strict no-logs policy and has been independently audited to prove it. Your personal data is protected through its use of 256-bit AES encryption. You can also take advantage of DNS and IPv6 leak protection, an automatic kill switch feature, and Double VPN servers for extra security.

NordVPN offers apps for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. However, you’ll need to follow manual setup instructions for use with routers.

BEST VPN FOR JAPANESE TV:NordVPN is our #1 choice. Works reliably in Japan and unblocks TV Tokyo. More than 6,000 servers worldwide. Strong security with high-end encryption and a strict no-logs policy. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

Surfshark has more than 3,200 RAM-only servers spread across 100 countries — including Japan. This service has strong unblocking capabilities, meaning you’ll be able to connect to a server in Japan and watch Nippon TV, NHK, and TV Tokyo. Best of all, Surfshark doesn’t impose any limits on the number of devices you can connect simultaneously.

To find out how fast the provider’s servers were in Japan, we carried out several speed tests while connected. You can see the results in the chart below.

Surfshark was a little less consistent than NordVPN, though it was slightly faster overall. In fact, Surfshark was the fastest provider we tested, with an average speed of 174.44 Mbps. This makes it suitable for streaming Japanese TV without interruption.

Perhaps Surfshark’s main selling point is its sheer number of security features. This starts with its strict no-logs policy, which ensures your online privacy is protected. It secures your traffic with 256-bit AES encryption, while DNS leaks and a kill switch ensure sensitive data is never exposed. If that’s not enough, you can always connect to a MultiHop (Double VPN) server for an extra layer of encryption. Surfshark also has live chat and email support, both of which are available 24/7.

Surfshark offers easy-to-use apps for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also download an app for Amazon Fire TV as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Manual installation is required for use with routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is highly affordable and unblocks the likes of Nippon TV, TV Tokyo, and NHK. Reliable connections for streaming Japanese TV. Very user-friendly service with easy-to-use apps and 24/7 support. Strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

---

3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a good option for watching Japanese TV abroad thanks to its servers in Tokyo and fast, reliable speeds. Overall, its network is made up of around 2,200 servers which are located across dozens of countries. This means you can use IPVanish to unblock geo-restricted websites and services worldwide such as Netflix US and BBC iPlayer. If you’re suffering from throttling, you’ll be happy to know that IPVanish offers unlimited bandwidth, making it perfect for streaming NHK and TBS TV.

Speed-wise, IPVanish is fast. In our tests, it averaged a download speed of 156.47 Mbps — which is an excellent result.

One of IPVanish’s most notable features is that you can use it on an unlimited number of devices at once. While this is a very user-friendly service, it offers 24/7 support over live chat if you have any questions. IPVanish takes your security seriously, using 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch to ensure your data cannot be compromised. Last but not least, a zero-logs policy allows you to browse the web anonymously.

Sign up with IPVanish to access its apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. The cheapest subscription costs the equivalent of $2.19 for the first two years. The more expensive option includes 1TB of cloud storage and a sandboxed secure browser.

SECURE EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish works with Japanese TV channels such as TBS TV. Offers good speeds for streaming and lets you connect all of your devices simultaneously. User-friendly apps and 24/7 support. Zero-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

---

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a strong all-rounder, making it a great choice for watching Japanese TV abroad. It has a large network of more than 3,000 RAM-only servers in 105+ countries — including Japan. Thanks to its servers in Kawasaki, Tokyo, and Yokohama, you can use this VPN to unblock NHK, TV Asahi, and more. A single subscription lets you secure up to eight devices simultaneously.

We tested ExpressVPN’s servers in Japan to find out how fast they were. You can see the results below.

Speeds were fast throughout the day, averaging 164.61 Mbps overall. This is a solid result and means the servers are more than capable of streaming Japanese TV without any noticeable buffering.

ExpressVPN also offers excellent performance for browsing and streaming, and it is highly secure. 256-bit AES encryption means no one can see what you’re doing online. You’re protected from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, while a kill switch ensures your data cannot be compromised should the VPN connection unexpectedly drop. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any identifying logs of its users and also offers 24/7 live chat and email support.

To connect to ExpressVPN’s servers, simply download one of the apps. These are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. You also have the option of browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox as well as custom firmware for routers.

GREAT AT UNBLOCKING:ExpressVPN is fast and reliable, offering lag-free streaming of Japanese TV. Unblocks NHK, Nippon TV, and Fuji TV. Very easy-to-use apps and includes 24/7 live chat support. Strong security with encryption. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

---

5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has an excellent track record when it comes to offering both speed and security. It has one of the largest VPN networks available with approximately 11,500+ servers in 100+ countries. This includes around 232+ servers in Japan for streaming Japanese TV such as NHK and Tokyo MX, among others.

To find out how fast CyberGhost’s servers in Japan were, we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day. As you can see from the chart below, the provider was very fast, with an average speed that was quicker than the combined average speed of the other providers.

CyberGhost lets each user secure up to seven devices simultaneously. It has 24/7 live chat, and email support is available should you need it. Protecting your privacy is this VPN’s priority, as evidenced by its strict no-logs policy and use of 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also an automatic kill switch and protection from DNS leaks, while CyberGhost’s independently operated NoSpy servers reduce the risk of third-party interference.

Connect to a Japan server via CyberGhost’s desktop apps (Windows, Mac, and Linux), mobile (Android and iOS), Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. You can also download browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Use with routers requires manual configuration.

HIGHLY SECURE:CyberGhost has over 11,500 servers worldwide including 130+ in Japan. Use it to stream Tokyo MX and NHK. Fast servers and unlimited bandwidth. Protects your privacy with a strict no-logs policy. Use up to seven devices at once. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

---

6. PureVPN

PureVPN is a versatile and cost-effective solution for watching Japanese TV services while traveling. With over 6,000 servers across 65+ countries, PureVPN offers a vast network. This includes servers in Japan to watch Asahi, NHK, Tokyo TV, U-NEXT, AbemaTV, dTV, FOD, and Tver. It also works to access Japanese internet banking, shopping services, and Google search results, as well as Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video, and a wide range of British and international TV services. Torrenting is also allowed, though you have to pay extra for the port forwarding feature.

We tested PureVPN’s servers in Japan to find out how fast they were. You can see the results in the chart below.

As you can see, PureVPN was plenty fast enough for streaming Japanese TV, though its overall speed was a little slower than the combined average of the other providers.

PureVPN is fast, which makes it ideal for various online activities like streaming, gaming, torrenting, and video calling. Our tests with the WireGuard protocol achieved download speeds of 400 Mbps, which is very fast given the service’s low cost.

Security-wise, you’ll find AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak prevention, and a strict no-logging policy. These security prevent tracking and ensure safe use of public wi-fi in places like airports, hotels, and cafes.

Although customer support might be slower to respond, PureVPN’s reliability makes this a minor issue. Using its 31-day money-back guarantee, you can compare the VPN to other options risk-free.

LOW COST:PureVPN is a low-cost VPN that is perfect for accessing home services on vacation. It has servers in over 65 countries, including Japan to watch TVer, FOD, Hulu, and many other Japanese services. Robust privacy and security features. Fast WireGuard protocol and apps for all platforms. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

---

7. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a highly reliable option if you are traveling abroad and want to keep up with Japanese TV services. It was developed by the team behind ProtonMail and is headquartered in Switzerland, which means it has a strong reputation for security and privacy. The service is known for its strict no-logs policy, ensuring your online activities remain private.

ProtonVPN offers apps for all major platforms, loaded with essential features. These include AES encryption, a range of protocols, obfuscation, split tunneling, multi-hop connections, Secure Core, and Tor over VPN. These capabilities are particularly useful in countries with strict online censorship and surveillance.

While ProtonVPN might not provide significant discounts for long-term plans, its monthly plan is one of the most affordable, offering great value for travelers. Our testing confirms that ProtonVPN is effective with many international streaming services. It seamlessly facilitates access to popular platforms such as Hulu Japan, Netflix Japan, Amazon Prime Video Japan, U-NEXT, and AbemaTV, among others.

The provider is also fast, which we found out by testing the speeds of its servers in Japan.

As you can see from the chart above, ProtonVPN consistently pegged speed above 125 Mbps. This makes it suitable for streaming Japanese TV in the best quality available — provided you have a suitable fast base connection speed (ours was 250 Mbps).

The service also excels in customer support, providing easy access to prompt and helpful assistance via live chat on their website. Plus, you can try ProtonVPN worry-free, thanks to its risk-free money-back guarantee. This makes it an excellent choice for those wanting to stay connected to Japanese TV services while traveling internationally.

ADVANCED AND SECURE:ProtonVPN is an impressive, high-quality VPN that’s great for streaming Japanese TV abroad. Works with many popular streaming services and you can get a one-month subscription for just $9.99. Strong AES encryption and a kill switch. Easy to use on all devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

---

8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has approximately 200 servers in 63+ countries. It possesses strong unblocking ability and works well with the likes of Nippon TV and Fuji TV. With PrivateVPN, you can connect as many as 10 devices at once via a single account.

We carried out multiple speed tests to find out how fast PrivateVPN’s servers in Japan were. You can see the results in the table below.

The provider averaged 75.99 Mbps overall, which is fast enough for interruption-free streaming if your base connection speed is fast. If not, PrivateVPN allows you to lower the strength of encryption, which can provide a speed boost.

You can browse the web with your privacy intact, as PrivateVPN has a no-logs policy. Your data is secured from hackers and snoopers with 256-bit AES encryption. Torrents will appreciate that port forwarding is permitted. Those in restrictive countries will be able to obfuscate their traffic using the powerful Stealth mode.

There’s also protection from DNS leaks and a kill switch. Signup requires little personal information (only a burner email account), and you can even pay in Bitcoin, which is the best payment option for maintaining online anonymity.

PrivateVPN has iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, and Linux apps. However, if you want to install it directly on your home router, you’ll have to manually configure it.

LOW-COST STREAMING:PrivateVPN has cheap subscriptions and works well with Japanese TV. Very user-friendly apps and also offers live chat support. Can be used on 10 devices at once. Security features include encryption and a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

---

Methodology: How we find the best VPNs for Watching Japanese TV

Finding the perfect VPN can be challenging, whether that’s for streaming your favorite anime or manga, or simply to access a blocked website. To find VPNs that provide a solid all-round service, we tested them in all of the following areas:

Speed

Japanese series and anime are best enjoyed without interruptions. We prioritize VPNs that offer fast and consistent speeds, ensuring viewers can watch their favorite shows in high definition without buffering or lag. To find out how fast each provider was, we conducted multiple speed tests while connected to their servers in Japan.

Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app, which was itself installed on a virtual machine that had been rate-limited to 250 Mbps. This figure was selected because it’s the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US. This helps us replicate the average user’s real-world experience.

You can see each provider’s average overall speed in the table below.

The fastest provider was Surfshark, though NordVPN and CyberGhost weren’t far behind. If you’re worried about a VPN slowing your connection down, choose one of these three VPNs.

Streaming ability

We tested VPN providers’ ability to stream Japanese TV as well as their ability to access Japanese (and other countries’) content libraries when using platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. We converted the results to a score out of 10 to make it easier to compare providers.

The first thing we’ll note is that all of the providers we tested worked with the Japanese TV platforms. The differences arose in their compatibility with international platforms. If you want the greatest choice of content, then go for NordVPN, but Surfshark, IPVanish, and ExpressVPN are all excellent alternatives and work well with all popular platforms.

Value for money 

Streaming Japanese TV from abroad shouldn’t cost a fortune. This is why we check all of our recommended VPNs for value, including subscription costs, free trials, and money-back guarantees. You can see how they performed against each metric in the table below.

We assigned a score to each of these metrics so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to directly compare providers.

As you can see from the above, Surfshark was the best value for money overall. It combines a relatively cheap subscription cost with unlimited simultaneous device connections. IPVanish, NordVPN and CyberGhost also offer notably good value.

Security and privacy

Watching Japanese TV might raise copyright concerns. As such, we evaluate the VPN’s security features, ensuring they offer robust encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and additional features like a kill switch so you can ensure online privacy. You can see how the VPNs performed against each criteria in the table below. 

Each criteria was assigned a score, which we combined to give an overall score out of 10 for comparison.

NordVPN and Surfshark were the most secure providers overall. They both offer strong encryption, an ongoing commitment to privacy, and powerful obfuscation. ProtonVPN is an excellent alternative.

Ease of use

A VPN should be user-friendly, especially for those unfamiliar with such technology. We test the VPN apps for ease of use, ensuring that connecting to a Japanese server and starting a streaming session is straightforward and hassle-free. You can see which metrics we use for testing in the table below.

We assigned a score to each of these metrics so that we were left with an overall score out of ten. This makes it easier to compare providers.

NordVPN was the easiest-to-use provider overall. It provides a smooth sign-up and cancellation service and well-designed apps that can be navigated intuitively. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are good alternatives.

Using a free VPN to watch Japanese TV abroad

While it is possible to stream Japanese TV abroad with a free VPN, it’s certainly more challenging. For starters, most free VPNs simply don’t offer servers in Japan. Those free VPNs that do offer servers in Japan tend to have too many users, resulting in heavy server load and slow speeds.

Another difficulty you may experience with a free VPN is unblocking geo-restricted content. Free VPNs struggle in this respect and may not work with Japanese TV, such as TV Tokyo, or US streaming services, such as Netflix. The average free VPN also lacks features, be it live chat support or the option to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

Last but not least, we don’t recommend free VPNs due to their lack of security. Many lack the most essential security features such as encryption and a kill switch. Worse still, some free VPN services spam you with ads or even log your data and sell it to third parties. All in all, free VPNs are extremely limited and may even compromise your privacy, we recommend avoiding the risk and opting for a quality, paid VPN instead.

What Japanese TV shows can I watch online for free?

If you connect to a VPN server in Japan,

Japanese TV VPN FAQs

See also: Best VPN for Japan