How to Watch Japanese TV Abroad: Unlock Japanese Series & Anime

Most Japanese streaming services are geo-blocked, meaning they can’t normally be accessed from outside of Japan. This is a problem for any international travelers hoping to stream NHK, Fuji TV, or Netflix Japan abroad. However, with the right Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can spoof your location and watch Japanese TV from anywhere in the world.

VPNs work by encrypting your internet traffic, preventing it from read by the government, your ISP, or anyone else who might be monitoring the network. They also change your IP address, which is what most region-locked sites use to determine your location. Simply connect to a server in Japan and you should be able to unblock all of your favorite Japanese TV channels from abroad.

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 streaming Japanese TV:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for streaming Japanese TV channels. Has over 130 servers in Japan and works great for streaming Fuji TV. Connect up to 10 devices. No-logs service with 24/7 support and double VPN servers. Comes with a risk-free 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.  No connection limit. Works with most major Japanese streaming platforms and delivers a very strong set of security features.
3. Total VPN: Works well with Japanese TV and global streaming services. Fast servers in 85+ countries. Protects user traffic with strong encryption. Easy-to-use apps make it a great choice for new users.
4. ProtonVPN: A fast, versatile, and security-conscious VPN boasting one of the largest networks we’ve seen, with 200+ servers in Japan. Highly customizable and perfect for experienced users.
5. ExpressVPN: Quick and reliable servers in over 100 countries. Includes a robust set of privacy features. Unblocks NHK, Nippon TV, and other streaming services in Japan.
6. IPVanish: A no-logs VPN boasting 24/7 support, user-friendly apps, and fast servers in Japan that work with TBS TV. Connect as many devices as you like.
7. CyberGhost: Make it easy to watch Netflix JP, TV Asahi, and TV Tokyo from outside of Japan. Delivers very fast speeds and a high degree of privacy, while securing up to seven devices simultaneously.
8. PureVPN: An easy to use, no-logs service with reliable Japanese servers. Strong on security and great for unblocking Japanese TV on a trip abroad.
9. PrivateVPN: A privacy-first VPN that can access virtually any major streaming platform including NHK and Netflix. Simple apps and a 10-device limit.

How to stream Japanese TV abroad with a VPN

In order to watch Japanese TV shows abroad, you’ll need to connect to a Japanese VPN server. This is quick and easy to do. Simply follow the step-by-step guide below, and you’ll be streaming your favorite Japanese drama or anime content 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. Most VPNs permit at least five simultaneous connections so don’t worry if you have a few devices to protect.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a Japanese VPN server. This will hide your real IP address and get you a Japanese IP address. This should allow you to stream Japanese TV as though you were actually still in the country.

   

4. Go to your preferred Japanese streaming platform. You should now be able to play previously unavailable content as though you were still in Japan.
5. If the content is still blocked, you should clear your browser’s cookies and refresh the page. 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, they don’t all provide the same level of service. In fact, some may not even be quick enough to stream at all! That’s why our experts take a holistic approach, thoroughly examining every aspect of potential recommendations before they make the cut. Here are the main areas we focus on:

• 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 and scored VPNs on not just speed, but also consistency.
• Streaming ability: We tested each VPN with the Japan-only services: TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Abema TV. Next, we tried them with popular international streaming services to get a more rounded idea of their capabilities.
• 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. To be eligible for a spot in our list, they must offer a money-back guarantee.
• 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 present.
• Ease of use: We try to prioritize VPNs that provide a seamless experience. To find the services that were the most straightforward and newcomer-friendly, we evaluated them against 10 individual metrics, such as app quality and the existence of router support.

You can read more about how we test VPNs (and the results of those tests) in the methodology section at the bottom of this post. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

Best VPNs for Japanese TV compared

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

Nov 2025

NordVPN is our top choice for watching Japanese TV. It has around 8,300 servers spread across more than 120 countries, around 130 of which are in Japan. Further, this VPN excels at bypassing stubborn regional restrictions. Our thorough testing revealed that it works flawlessly with Fuji TV, TBS TV, Netflix Japan, and NHK, to name a few platforms. Users can connect up to 10 devices at once and have access to 24/7 support via live chat.

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 a resounding “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 4K content without the slightest issue. You should also be able to torrent, play games, or make video calls with no problems; after all, NordVPN was the second-fastest service we tested, and more than 23 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers.

If security is a priority, you’ll appreciate NordVPN’s commitment to keeping you safe. It follows a strict no-logs policy and has been independently audited multiple times. Not only that, this service boasts 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a Threat Protection tool that takes care of ads, trackers, and malware automatically. Just recently, it launched the NordWhisper protocol to give users in countries with extreme censorship an alternative to NordVPN’s slightly slower obfuscated servers.

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 7,900 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.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for streaming Japanese TV abroad. Its network spans 100 countries, including Japan, and despite its low price, this service is capable of accessing difficult platforms like Abema TV, NHK, and TV Tokyo. Best of all, Surfshark lets you connect every device you own simultaneously and offers around-the-clock support just in case anything doesn’t work as expected.

Obviously, unblocking ability doesn’t mean much if your VPN is too slow to actually load the content. With this in mind, we tested Surfshark’s Japanese servers are three different times of day to measure its speed and consistency. You can see the results in the chart below.

You might be a little surprised to see that this budget-friendly VPN outpaced NordVPN. It was the fastest VPN overall with an average speed of 174.44 Mbps. However, it was slightly less consistent than NordVPN, with a drop in speed during our noon test. Still, even at its slowest, it’s more than enough for streaming, torrenting, or gaming.

Despite its low price point, Surfshark actually offers an extremely robust set of security features. For starters, there’s a proven no-logs policy, which ensures your online activities can’t be revealed under any circumstances. There’s also 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch, plus automatic ad, tracker, and malware-blocking. If that’s not enough, you can always connect to a MultiHop (Double VPN) server for an extra layer of encryption.

Surfshark offers easy-to-use apps for 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. Extremely high speeds with novice-friendly apps and 24/7 support. Strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is an easy-to-use service with a minimalistic interface. It’s well-suited to VPN newbies or those who want a hassle-free connection to Japan. In our tests it worked perfectly with TV Tokyo, Hulu Japan, and TVer. It was also able to access Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video without issue. Users can chat with staff via the live chat service, which makes getting help nice and easy. There is a five-device limit though, which is slightly lower than most other VPNs.

In our speed tests, the provider was consistently quick. Its download speed averaged 162.99 Mbps overall, with a difference of only 7.38 Mbps between the slowest and fastest results. This makes it a great option for interruption-free streaming or gaming.

Security and privacy features include effectively uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, built-in leak protection, and a kill switch. Split tunneling is available for those who want to use some apps outside of the VPN tunnel. By default, this VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, though it also supports OpenVPN, IPSec, and Total VPN’s own protocol, Hydra (which can help you sidestep some forms of VPN-blocking).

Total VPN has its own apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It can’t be installed on Linux systems or routers unfortunately. On the plus side, subscriptions are very affordable, with a one-year plan costing the equivalent of $1.59 a month. Better yet, these come with free ad-blocking (Total AdBlock) and antivirus (TotalAV) software.

SECURE CONNECTIONS:Total VPN uses strong 256-bit AES encryption to protect user traffic. It’s easy-to-use apps also come with leak protection and a kill switch. Speedy servers in 85+ countries are ideal for streaming Japanese TV. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a highly reliable option if you are traveling abroad and want to keep up with your favorite Japanese TV shows. It has more than 15,000 servers spread across 120+ countries, and our team were able to access stubborn streaming platforms like Rakuten TV, WOWOW, and Hulu without any problems. Up to 10 devices can be secured at the same time and there’s 24/7 customer support over live chat just in case you ever need assistance.

We performed three speed tests on ProtonVPN’s Japanese tests to see how quick they were and how much their performance fluctuated throughout the day. You’ll find the results below:

ProtonVPN delivered an impressive performance, with speeds over 130 Mbps in all three tests. All in all, it averaged 156.41 Mbps — well above the 25 Mbps needed to watch 4K video without any issues.

Very few services have as good a reputation as ProtonVPN does. 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.

Not only that, but ProtonVPN is loaded with advanced security features. These include AES encryption, a range of protocols, obfuscation, split tunneling, multi-hop connections, Secure Core servers, and the ability to access the Tor network. These capabilities are particularly useful in countries with strict online censorship and surveillance.

ProtonVPN has its own apps for Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, and Linux. What’s more, it provides manual setup instructions for a wide range of router firmware.

ADVANCED AND SECURE:ProtonVPN is an impressive, high-quality VPN that’s great for streaming Japanese TV abroad. Works with many popular streaming services. Powerful security safeguards. Easy to use on all devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a novice-friendly service with a lot to offer. Its expansive network covers more than 105 countries, with servers in four Japanese regions: Tokyo, Osaka, Shibuya, and Yokohama. What’s particularly great about this VPN is that you’ll rarely have to try multiple servers to find one capable of accessing your favorite streaming platform. Our team were able to stream NHK, U-Next, TV Asahi, and many more with minimal fuss. Customer support is available via live chat and this provider recently increased its connection limit from eight to 10 devices.

The crucial question is whether or not ExpressVPN is fast enough for streaming. To find out, we tested its Japanese servers at three different times of day using a typical 250 Mbps connection. Here’s how this provider did:

The results were encouraging. Overall, the provider averaged an impressive 164.6 Mbps. Speeds were a little variable, but in all cases, fast. Needless to say, ExpressVPN is quick enough for everything from gaming to live-streaming Japanese TV shows.

From a technical perspective, ExpressVPN has everything you’ll need to browse the internet anonymously. For starters, it uses uncrackable encryption, automatic obfuscation, DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your VPN connection drops. It also rolled out automatic ad, tracker, and malicious site blocking as part of its latest updates. Crucially, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs and has an extensive audit history.

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, so streaming Japanese TV channels like NHK, Fuji TV, and Nippon TV won’t be an issue. Very easy to use, with strong security and 24/7 support. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish recently expanded its network and now offers access to 3,200 servers globally, with around 70 servers split between Tokyo and Osaka. Our team were able to easily unblock tricky platforms like NHK, TBS, Netflix, and Hulu, so you won’t be short on things to watch. Better still, this is one of the only major VPNs that lets you connect every device you own. If you run into trouble, you can get help using IPVanish’s 24/7 live chat service.

So how reliable are IPVanish’s servers in Japan? Just like before, we ran three tests: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the evening to measure its overall performance. Let’s take a look at those results:

This VPN delivered solid speeds overall, with an average of 164.13 Mbps. In real-world scenarios, this means you’re extremely unlikely to experience any performance issues when streaming Japanese TV. In fact, you’ll be able to download 1GB of data in under a minute, so it’s great for torrenting too.

IPVanish takes your security seriously, shielding user traffic from snoopers with a blend of 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic tracker blocking. It also boasts an independently-verified no-logs policy, which should provide ample peace of mind. Recent additions to its apps include multi-hop servers (which encrypt your traffic twice), split tunneling functionality, and a tool that tells you whether links are safe to open.

Sign up with IPVanish to access its apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on Linux and routers. The newly-introduced Advanced plan also 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. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is known for its user-friendly apps and expansive network. There are servers in 100+ countries (Japan included) and a handful of servers that are specifically optimized to help you access platforms like Netflix JP from abroad. Drawing from years of experience though, we can confirm that CyberGhost’s general-purpose servers are suitable for streaming as well. If you’re struggling, we’d suggest getting help via this VPN’s live chat support service. 

To find out how fast CyberGhost’s servers in Japan were, we carried out several speed tests over the course of a day using a 250 Mbps connection. Check out the results below:

CyberGhost delivered an average speed of 154.76 Mbps. While this isn’t the fastest service we saw, it’s quicker than most. In fact, it’s roughly 10 times faster than is needed to stream 4K video, so you shouldn’t have any issues even when performing data-intensive tasks.

CyberGhost lets each user secure up to seven devices simultaneously. 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 using CyberGhost’s Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV apps. 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, with plenty in Japan. Use it to stream Tokyo MX and NHK. Fast servers and unlimited bandwidth. Protects your privacy with a strict no-logs policy. Boasts a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

PureVPN is a versatile and cost-effective service that’s perfect for watching Japanese TV services while traveling. It has more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries and works with a wide range of streaming platforms. For instance, we were able to access Asahi, NHK, TV Tokyo, Tver, Netflix, and many more. Subscribers can connect 10 devices at once, and 24/7 support is available over live chat.

Historically, this service has performed quite well in our speed tests. However, regular retesting is necessary as providers frequently upgrade their networks or better-optimize their systems. Here are PureVPN’s latest test results:

PureVPN’s speeds ranged from 127.85 Mbps to 146.26 Mbps, with an overall average of 135.34 Mbps. This places it near the bottom of the pack, though it’s still fast enough for watching Japanese TV without any noticeable issues.

This VPN comes with a powerful set of security features. It shields your browsing habits using unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak prevention, and a proven zero-logs policy. Now, it doesn’t have quite as many advanced features as some of its rivals, but PureVPN does offer tracker-blocking, split tunneling, and automatic Wi-Fi protection. There’s also port forwarding, though this is an addon which costs extra.

PureVPN offers apps for iOS, Windows, MacOS, Android, and Linux (command line or GUI). Further, with a little manual configuration, it’ll work with most routers.

LOW COST:PureVPN is an affordable VPN that is perfect for accessing home services on vacation. Works with a ton of Japanese services and doesn’t compromise on security. Offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has approximately 200 servers in 63+ countries, which might not sound all that impressive. However, our team of experts has identified that it’s capable of accessing a huge range of geo-blocked sites, and it even works in countries with extreme online censorship. In other words, you’ll be able to stream Nippon TV on up to 10 devices simultaneously, wherever you are in the world.

PrivateVPN actually only has one Japanese server, in Tokyo. As such, it’s extremely important that it’s able to provide consistent performance since there are no others to rely on. We carried out three speed tests over the course of a day to check for ourselves. Here are the results:

The first thing you’ll notice is that PrivateVPN isn’t quite as quick as some of the providers above. In fact, its average speed was just 75.99 Mbps, which is less than half of the combined average of other services we tested. Still, we can confirm that it’s fast enough for almost any task, so whether you’re hoping to stream, make video calls, or just browse the web safely, PrivateVPN can handle it.

There’s also no need to worry about privacy. PrivateVPN has a strict no-logs policy and uses unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption to keep you safe. There’s also a customizable kill switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a toggleable stealth mode. You can even take advantage of port forwarding, which is great if you’re interested in torrenting. Want even more anonymity? You can always pay in Bitcoin.

PrivateVPN has iOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows apps. However, if you want to install it directly on Linux or 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.

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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 channels can I watch for free?

There are actually quite a few major Japanese TV channels and streaming services that you can stream for free. Below, we’ll list some of the most popular and explain what kind of content they have to offer:

• Abema (live TV, drama, anime, variety shows)
• NHK (news, sport, and educational material)
• Fuji TV (some free content including variety shows and movies)
• TV Tokyo (anime, variety shows, sports, entertainment)
• Lemino (educational content)
• TVer (a little bit of everthing)
• U-Next (some free content including movies, anime, J-dramas)
• TBS (entertainment and variety shows)

Watching Japanese TV with a VPN: FAQs