How to Watch Japanese Netflix Outside Japan
Netflix took the world by storm in 2012, and it expanded its empire to Japan in 2015. As of 2018, Netflix Japan now has about 6,340 unique titles, which is a massive increase from the 2000 titles it had in 2015. It is now the most extensive library in the world and with good reason, too.
Netflix Japan has titles that whet the appetite of millions of users. Series like Terrace House, Castlevania, Ainori: Love Dragon, and Midnight Dinner: Tokyo Stories, keep Netflix Japan users continuously clicking Next Episode.
However, for certain reasons, many watchers of these shows aren’t in Japan, and Netflix Japan is restricted to only Japan. Though many Netflix stables have the same titles, some can only be found on Japanese Netflix. But you’re not going to miss out just because it’s not available in your location, right? So, you’ll need a VPN.
Why Netflix Japan is Blocked Outside Japan
The reason Japanese Netflix isn’t on every Netflix stable is licensing. Producers have sole rights to their titles. Netflix cannot put these shows up for streaming unless they’ve paid the producers. In turn, the producers will sign documents allowing their shows to be streamed through their channels. But, here’s the catch.
Each licensing deal has strict conditions, but these conditions can change if the producer wishes. Most licensing deals allow the show to be streamed in a specific country. Streaming it outside the specified state is a breach of the licensing agreement, and Netflix could be sued for this. If Netflix wants to put the show in another country’s stable, they’d have to draw up another agreement and pay another fee.
The best VPNs for Japanese Netflix
They’d only do this if they’re sure that demand is high enough that profits would outweigh costs. And sometimes, that just isn’t happening. But, we still have VPNs. This is the best VPNs for Japanese Netflix at the moment:
ExpressVPN
Key features
- No logging of personal data
- Excellent customer support
- Over 3000 servers
- Fast and reliable speeds
ExpressVPN is first on our list and is one of the best VPNs to watch Japanese Netflix. It has 3000 servers in 160 locations, spread across 94 countries. This server list also includes Japan. The Japanese servers are optimized for speed and streaming, so it’s straightforward for an ExpressVPN user to stream Japanese Netflix.
ExpressVPN isn’t just great at unblocking; it also takes users’ online privacy very seriously. A kill switch and private DNS make sure that no matter what Wi-Fi network you’re connected to, you’re protected from hackers and spies. One of these spies is probably your ISP. Only they see every search you make and every website you visit. But ExpressVPN allows you to completely change your IP address and mimic one from another country.
All ExpressVPN’s users’ web traffic is encrypted with best-in-class encryption technology and the most secure protocols. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs, but to prove it to their users, they introduced TrustedServer technology. This feature saves a user’s logs on RAM, instead of a hard drive. This means that once your server reboots, all your data will be wiped clean.
Another advanced feature is ExpressVPN’s split tunneling, which allows you to choose which data you want to be run through ExpressVPN or your ISP. If you’re not sure about anything, ExpressVPN has 24/7 live chat and email support.
ExpressVPN has apps or software available for all standard platforms, that is, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, etc. There’s also software for routers, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, smart TVs, and game consoles. However, ExpressVPN’s prices are relatively high, with the cheapest plan being $8.32 and the most expensive at $12.95. But ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have time to decide if Netflix Japan and other benefits are worth your money.
Asides from accessing Netflix Japan ExpressVPN is also a good choice for Hulu Japan and Amazon Prime Japan.
NordVPN
Key features
- Super-affordable
- Cryptocurrency payments allowed
- Compatible with all devices
- Optimized servers with AES 256-bit encryption
NordVPN is one of our favorite VPNs because of three things. One, their large server count. They have over 5800 servers in 59 countries. Several of these servers are scattered around Japan, and some are optimized for streaming. These servers systematically break Netflix Japan’s geo-blocking and allow you access to your favorite movies and series.
Our second reason is NordVPN’s dedication to its clients’ privacy. Most paid VPNs take privacy seriously, but NordVPN takes it to a level many don’t reach. NordVPN uses features like Double VPN, Tor over VPN, and CyberSec to remove any threats to user security and privacy. DoubleVPN takes your data through two servers and uses NordVPN’s robust encryption technology to encrypt it twice. Tor over VPN does much the same thing; only the data is taken into the Tor server and encrypted many times.
CyberSec lets you stream content and visit websites while taking care of ads and any malicious websites. Apart from these security features, there’s also NordVPN’s automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection, to protect from information thieves online.
Our third reason is its customer service. NordVPN’s customer service is incredibly fast, and its representatives really know what they’re talking about. They’re available on 24/7 live chat and email support. NordVPN is available on all standard platforms, browser extensions, smart TVs, and routers. It can also support up to six devices simultaneously on one account.
NordVPN has average prices with plans starting from $3.49 to $11.95. NordVPN also has a 30-day refund policy, so if you don’t like their services, you can always ask for your money back. You’ll probably have to answer a few questions first.
NordVPN is a great choice for Japanese TV abroad in general, if you want to access other shows such as GYAO or dTV.
Surfshark
Key features
- Ads and tracking blocker
- Connects unlimited devices simultaneously
- Excellent speed
- 24/7 customer support
This VPN is quite young, but it’s been able to stand its ground among much older and more established VPNs. This VPN provider has a trump card that sounds amazing to every economical, privacy-conscious, Japanese Netflix user. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on one account. That means you and your family can use just one Surfshark account to stream Netflix Japan. Pretty good deal, if we do say so ourselves.
Surfshark has 1040+ servers in over 61 countries. All of Japan’s servers are optimized for speed, with the highest grade encryption technology and the most secure protocols. Surfshark also has fantastic unblocking capabilities and can unblock Netflix in a few minutes.
Surfshark’s security features are nothing to scoff at, either. Apart from having a kill switch, private DNS, WebRTC leak protection, Surfshark also has advanced features. There’s MultiHop, Surfshark’s Double VPN. The difference is that MultiHop takes your data through servers in privacy-friendly countries. Camouflage Mode hides the fact that you’re even using a VPN from your ISP.
CleanWeb cleans up any ads, phishing attempts, and malicious websites that stand in the way of your browsing. Whitelister is a split tunneling feature that lets you decide what traffic you want to be protected by Surfshark and which you want your ISP to see.
Surfshark has servers that optimize torrenting. And in the spirit of unlimited connections, it also has apps for quite a lot of devices, including all standard platforms, routers, smart TVs, browser extensions, and game consoles. Surfshark has FAQs, blogs, a 24/7 live chat, and a knowledge base. Any questions you have are probably already answered somewhere.
Surfshark is one of the less expensive VPNs at only $1.99/month for the cheapest plan and $11.95 for the most expensive one. There’s a 30-day refund policy here as well.
UltraVPN
Key features
- 256-bit AES encryption.
- App compatibility with most devices.
- Unlimited bandwidth.
- One-click connect.
UltraVPN is an extremely young VPN with an endless capacity for streaming. This VPN is great for users who just want to stream and torrent. Out of 100+ super fast servers, many are optimized for streaming, and P2P sharing. UltraVPN has servers in over 30 countries, and one of them is Japan. This allows UltraVPN users to watch Netflix Japan anywhere they are, even while traveling. As long as you have a signal, you can keep streaming your favorites.
For security, UltraVPN keeps it simple. A secure firewall (kill switch) protects users from information thieves and allows them the freedom to connect to any Wi-Fi network anywhere. 256-bit encryption and security protocols ensure that, on the slight chance that your data is stolen, it cannot be decoded.
UltraVPN allows five connections and has apps for all standard platforms, except the Linux operating system. It also has an app for FireTV. Because UltraVPN doesn’t have loads of features, its apps are easy to use. Just connect and start steaming. UltraVPN’s prices are around average. The cheapest plan is $3.75, and the most expensive is $7.99. UltraVPN is confident that you’ll want to continue using their services, so they also offer a 30-day refund. You probably won’t want to use it.
CyberGhost
Key features
- Been around for a long time
- Robust and fast servers
- Many servers in Japan
CyberGhost is one of the oldest VPNs around today. This VPN provider is over 15 years old, and, as it’s remained one of the top VPNs in the industry, it must be doing something right. Well, it is. And it starts from its vast reach. CyberGhost has 5900+ servers in 112 locations spread across 89 countries. 44 out of these 112 locations are in Japan because everyone knows streaming services like Netflix Japan have the best content.
More servers mean free servers for many VPN providers, and free servers mean faster network speed. With CyberGhost’s vast amount of servers, you can watch Netflix Japan in HD. Forget about buffering and lag.
CyberGhost uses military-grade encryption technology and has secure protocols. There’s also a kill switch and DNS leak protection to prevent your information from falling into the wrong hands. CyberGhost users can easily use any Wi-Fi network available without worrying about Wi-Fi hackers.
CyberGhost has a feature called NoSpy Servers, which is basically a more refined version of CyberGhost. NoSpy Servers provides all the features that the regular CyberGhost has, but it also provides better speeds and bandwidths, a dedicated uplink, premium hardware, and super safe independently manned servers. The regular CyberGhost costs from $2.75/month to $12.95/month, while the NoSpy Servers costs $4.99. You can ask for your money back within 45 days if you’re not satisfied with CyberGhost’s services.
An easier way to connect to Netflix Japan through VPN
It’s not at all hard to connect to Netflix Japan through a VPN. At least, it’s not hard on the user’s end. But, because Netflix is serious about geo-blocking stables of other countries, they’re continuously updating their security software to block all VPNs. VPN providers have to adjust to unblock Netflix and other media streaming services continually. This means that sometimes servers may fail to connect because Netflix Japan has updated its software.
So, to not have to waste your limited time clicking in different servers and praying that one will connect, it’s best just to ask. Ask your VPN’s customer care representatives for servers that work with Netflix, Japan. It’s even more comfortable if they have a live chat. You can probably get your answers in 5 to 10 minutes, choose one, connect and then start watching whatever you want
It’s so much easier than playing guessing games with servers.
Is it illegal to watch Netflix Japan with a VPN?
Well, strictly speaking, it’s not illegal, but it’s not legal either. Sounds vague? We’ll explain.
You will not get into any legal trouble for using a VPN with Netflix. There is currently no country that can charge you with an offense for using Netflix with a VPN. However, the use of a VPN to watch Netflix Japan outside its specific geographical location is against Netflix’s Terms of Service. And seeing how you agreed to these terms when you signed up, Netflix retains the right to stop you from using their services. But to our knowledge, it has not used that right.
However, this does not mean that other illegal activities you perform online with your VPN are impossible to prosecute. Your VPN might not want to give any law enforcement organization your logs ,but the police can certainly ask. The only way to make sure this does not happen is to choose a VPN that doesn’t keep logs, nor does it keep more than the minimum information on their clients. VPNs like the ones we have listed, for example. These are the only ones you can trust with all your data.
In conclusion
You can now sit back, relax, and enjoy Netflix Japan with a VPN. It’s quick and easy to set up, plus there’s something on Netflix Japan for everyone. No one and no software can block you now.