How to watch Rakuten TV from anywhere (outside Japan) with a VPN

Rakuten TV is geo-restricted, and its Japanese library has quite a lot of exclusive content. In other words, international travelers usually won’t be able to stream their favorite show. Luckily, you can watch Rakuten TV abroad from anywhere with the help of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs make it easy to get a Japanese IP address, and as an added bonus, they encrypt your traffic, hiding your activities from service providers, public hotspot owners, and hackers. Below, we’ll explain how to bypass Rakuten TV’s regional blocking and stream your favorite content from anywhere in the world.

Here’s quick overview of the top Rakuten TV VPNs. If you’d like to learn more, just scroll down for a more detailed look at each.

The best VPNs for watching Rakuten TV abroad:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice for watching Rakuten TV. Works with most major streaming sites and delivers top-tier performance. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for streaming Rakuten TV. Fast and security-conscious with no simultaneous connection limit and 24/7 support.
3. IPVanish: Reliable, secure connections and the ability to unblock Rakuten TV from anywhere. No-logs VPN that can protect all of your devices at once.
4. ExpressVPN: Works with Rakuten TV, Netflix Japan, and more. Impressive speed and security. Lots of Japanese server locations.
5. CyberGhost: Has servers specially optimized for watching Japanese content abroad. Impressive speeds and customizable security features.
6. PrivateVPN: No issues accessing Rakuten TV’s Japanese library abroad. Puts your security first and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.
7. Hotspot Shield: One of the best streaming VPNs on the market. Very fast, with uncrackable encryption and 24/7 customer support.

How to watch Rakuten TV outside Japan with a VPN

Using a Virtual Private Network is easier than you might think. Just follow these steps to stream movies and catch up with your favorite content while outside of Japan.

Here’s how to watch Rakuten TV online from anywhere:

1. Choose a VPN provider from this guide – we recommend NordVPN because it is secure, versatile, and has fast servers in Japan.
2. Download and install the VPN onto your device.
3. Login to the VPN app and connect to a server in Japan. This will give you the Japanese IP address you need to access the Japanese content library from outside Japan.
4. Visit Rakuten TV and try streaming something. Videos should play without any errors, but if not, we’ve often found that clearing your cookies and reloading the page fixes most problems. Still, having trouble? Contact your VPN’s support team for one-on-one assistance.

How we selected the best VPNs for  Rakuten TV

There are many VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service, security, or reliability. What’s more, many VPNs just aren’t able to access Rakuten TV outside Japan. To find the best VPNs for Rakuten TV, our team of experts looked for providers offering all of the following:

• Network of servers around the world (including Japan!)
• Fast and reliable connections for high-quality streaming
• The ability to securely access major streaming sites
• Strong security with 256-bit encryption
• A strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy
• Fast and efficient customer support, preferably with live chat

You can read more about how we test the VPNs we recommend further on in this article. But for now, let’s check out the VPNs that made our list.

Best VPNs for Rakuten: at a glance

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

The best VPNs to watch Rakuten TV outside Japan

The best VPNs for watching Rakuten TV from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

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NordVPN is our number-one choice VPN for watching Rakuten TV. It has roughly 6,000 servers across roughly 100+ countries, with over 130 in Japan alone. This service is capable of accessing a ton of geo-blocked content from Rakuten TV to Netflix Japan and boasts extremely fast speeds (over 190 Mbps in our most recent tests). Better still, it offers 24/7 support over live chat, and in our experience, staff are knowledge and quick to reply.

This VPN secures your internet traffic using 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, automatic tracker-blocking, and leak protection. It also has its own privacy-focused protocol named NordLynx, a Meshnet tool for connecting devices on multiple networks, and a no-logs policy that’s been verified by independent auditors.

NordVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. You can also manually install it on routers to get around the six-device limit.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST VPN FOR RAKUTEN TV:NordVPN is our #1 choice It’s fast, reliable, and secure, plus it works with a huge range of streaming apps. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

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Surfshark is our top low-cost option. It has more than 100 server locations around the world and outpaces many of its rivals with average speeds of almost 200 Mbps. In other words, it’s perfect for watching your favorite content as you travel. Users can connect as many devices as they like and if you run into any issues, support staff are only ever a live chat message away.

This VPN has a strong security toolkit with 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch enabled by default. Additionally, it blocks ads and trackers automatically, and can swap your IP address at regular intervals. Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs, something we know for sure as a result of its third-party audits.

Surfshark has apps for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. You’ll have to follow manual setup instructions to get it running on your router.

Surfshark speed test data

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark gives amazing value for money. No connection limit, real everyday usage potential, and exceptional speeds. Plans also include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. IPVanish

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IPVanish is an excellent VPN for families because it allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. There are more than 2,000 servers in 50+ countries, including Japan, and this provider has really improved its streaming abilities lately. In fact, it now works with a ton of geo-restricted content platforms, including Rakuten TV and NHK. 24/7 support is ready to help over live chat if you have any problems.

While IPVanish is based in the US, it has an independently-verified zero logs policy. As such, even if customer data was requested by the government, this VPN couldn’t give them anything usable. Apps include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch that cuts your internet traffic should the VPN connection drop, preventing any data leaks.

You can download IPVanish for desktop (Windows and Mac), mobile (Android and iOS), as well as for Amazon Fire TV. Both Linux and routers require some manual configuration.

IPVanish speed test data

CONNECT ALL YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish can be used on as many devices as you like. Fast and reliable with good security, but is headquartered in the US. Annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, boasts exceptional cloaking ability, and servers in 100+ countries. This means that a flawless streaming experience is almost guaranteed, even on tricky platforms like Netflix Japan. Of course, if you’re having any issues, you can reach out using the 24/7 live chat help desk. Subscribers can connect up to eight devices at a time.

As well as 256-bit encryption, ExpressVPN keeps you safe using IPv6 and DNS leak protection and a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your connection drops. There’s even a Threat Manager blocking access to malicious sites in the background and automatic obfuscation that kicks in when you visit a country with strict online restrictions. ExpressVPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable data and has been audited to prove it.

You can use ExpressVPN via the apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. This is the only major provider with its own router firmware, making it as easy as possible to secure every device you own.

ExpressVPN speed test data

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is another good option for Rakuten TV. It’s a fast VPN that can access most geo-blocked content. Apps are user-friendly, and 24/7 customer support is available. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

5. CyberGhost

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CyberGhost is an ultra-fast VPN with over 100 reliable servers in Japan and a further 10,000 in 100+ other countries. As such, it’s a fantastic option for watching geo-restricted content, streaming, torrenting, or even just browsing safely while traveling abroad. Customer support staff are standing by 24/7 over live chat, though in our opinion, this is one of the most novice-friendly VPNs on the market.

When it comes to protecting your online privacy, CyberGhost uses 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS leaks, and a kill switch. Additionally, users can create smart rules that tell the VPN to connect automatically in certain situations. CyberGhost is based in Romania – a country with no mandatory data retention laws – and has a strict no-logs policy.

CyberGhost apps are available for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android devices. Routers must be configured manually.

CyberGhost speed test data

GOOD FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is quick, reliable, and secure. Makes it easy to get a Japanese IP address while abroad. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

6. PrivateVPN

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PrivateVPN excels at accessing geo-restricted content. We’ve had good results testing it against platforms like Rakuten TV, Netflix JP, and NHK, and more importantly, this VPN is fast enough for uninterrupted live streaming. It does have a relatively small network (200 servers in 63 countries) but there’s a generous 10-device limit and near-24/7 customer support service.

The PrivateVPN apps are easy to use for beginners while still providing enough advanced options for experienced users. There’s 256-bit encryption (with the option to reduce this for higher speeds), a customizable kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a stealth mode capable of beating China’s Great Firewall. What’s more, PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs at all, meaning even it doesn’t know what you get up to online.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, manual setup is necessary for Linux and routers.

PrivateVPN speed test data

GREAT FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN is super fast, and uses uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, making it perfect for streaming. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. Hotspot Shield

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Disclosure: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company. This has not impacted our review in any way; all praise or criticism is the result of hands-on testing.

Hotspot Shield is a freemium VPN service with servers in 80 countries including Japan. It provides consistently high speeds, works in China, and is able to securely access major platforms like Rakuten TV, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video with ease. Better still, it offers 24/7 support over live chat and permits up to 10 simultaneous connections per account.

Now, Hotspot Shield does collect some information (anonymized browsing activity, session duration, device hashes, and bandwidth used), but it doesn’t store any logs that could personally identify you. The apps include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak prevention features, as well as automatic wifi protection. This makes it ideal for travelers looking to stay safe while reliant on public hotspots.

Hotspot Shield apps are available for Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. You’ll need to install it manually on supported routers.

Hotspot Shield speed test data

SERVERS IN 80+ COUNTRIES:Hotspot Shield works with Japanese services. and offers 24/7 support. Superfast Catapult Hydra protocol. Fully featured apps with robust security. Provides a 45-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

The best VPNs for Rakuten TV: Methodology

Picking a VPN seems pretty straightforward, but there are hundreds of options with different prices, features, and protocols, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s where we come in. We’ve been testing streaming VPNs for years and can identify the best options for your needs. Here are the factors we considered when choosing the best VPNs for Rakuten TV:

• Server network: First, we look for Japanese servers as these are required to access Rakuten TV’s JP library. Also, how many other countries are supported? Are they physical or virtual locations? Are there multiple clusters in one country? These are all important questions that need to be answered.
  
• Security & privacy: We ensure that the VPN uses robust encryption protocols and doesn’t keep any logs of your data. At a bare minimum, we require providers to offer leak protection and a kill switch as well, although we strongly prefer those that include more advanced security tools.
  
• Versatility: Can the VPN access Rakuten TV? What about other streaming apps? We perform extensive testing to simulate day-to-day usage, looking for P2P support, the ability to beat online censorship and general usability.
  
• Speed & reliability: A good VPN should be fast enough to stream HD video without buffering and reliable enough never to drop the connection.
• Price: You don’t want to overpay for a VPN, but you also don’t want to be stuck with a cheap and unreliable one. We balance the two to find the best value for your money.
• Ease of use: The VPN should be easy to set up and use, even if you’re not a tech expert.
• Customer support: If you run into any problems, you want to be able to get help from a top-notch customer support team.

Want to learn more? Read all about our VPN testing process.

Watching Rakuten TV with a VPN: FAQs