J. Sweeney
Updated on: December 22, 2023
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch Netflix Japan in 2024:
- Step 1: Download and install a good VPN for Netflix with servers in Japan. I recommend ExpressVPN because itâs fast, easy to use, secure, and has excellent streaming support. I asked my colleague from Japan to test it and they said it worked with Netflix 100% of the time.
- Step 2: Connect to a VPN server in Japan. Open the app and select a server located in Japan. If youâre not currently in Japan, a VPN can, in theory, help you watch Netflix Japan content. But that might constitute copyright infringement and is against Netflixâs Terms of Service.
- Step 3: Log into Netflix. Find your favorite shows, grab your go-to snack, and start streaming.
Netflix has a separate library of titles available only to people in Japan. The streaming giant offers different titles in different regions due to licensing agreements â so your favorite TV series on Netflix Japan may not be available outside of Japan.
A VPN changes your IP address by assigning you one that matches with the location of the VPN server you connect to, so it can, theoretically, allow you to watch content thatâs not available in your current location. However, this goes against the platformâs Terms of Service and might be considered copyright infringement. Neither I nor anyone else at SafetyDetectives condones using a VPN in this way.
If you want to stream Netflix Japan with a VPN, Iâve found the best VPNs on the market â my colleague from Japan confirmed they were able to watch Netflix Japan when connected to these VPNs. My favorite is ExpressVPN, as itâs the fastest on the market.
Best VPNs for Watching Netflix Japan Content in 2024
- 1.ð¥ ExpressVPN â Best overall VPN for watching Netflix Japan.
- 2.ð¥ Private Internet Access â Fast and great for streaming Netflix Japan on mobile devices.
- 3.ð¥ CyberGhost VPN â Good for streaming Netflix Japan on dedicated servers.
- 4. NordVPN â Fast VPN with good streaming support.
- 5. Surfshark â Simple design good for new users that want to watch Netflix Japan.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching Netflix Japan in 2024.
At SafetyDetectives, we donât condone copyright infringement. The VPN services listed below donât log your activities, which means no one will be able to see what youâre watching. I always recommend using a VPN properly and following all the relevant rules and regulations set by streaming services.
ð¥1. ExpressVPN â Best VPN for Watching Netflix Japan Content
ExpressVPNÂ is my top choice for streaming content on Netflix Japan â it works with Netflix Japan 24/7, as confirmed by my colleague in Japan, offers blazing-fast speeds, and has excellent security (and itâs also ranked as our #1 VPN in 2024).
ExpressVPN also provided me with the fastest speeds on this list. In my speed tests, HD and 4K videos loaded instantly and played without any buffering. Plus, the provider also comes with split-tunneling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your local network.
Iâm really impressed with ExpressVPNâs streaming support â in addition to Netflix, a customer support rep confirmed it works with 100+ other streaming sites, like Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many more. In addition, it also has a smart DNS, which lets you stream on devices that donât support VPN apps.
I like how the provider has apps for all major operating systems, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and smart TVs. It even has a router app â so, you can quickly install the VPN on your router to watch Netflix Japan on devices that donât support VPN apps.
And Iâm a big fan of ExpressVPNâs sleek interface and user-friendly apps. I never had an issue finding a server, and thereâs even a convenient Shortcuts feature that allows you to create 1-click shortcuts on the main connection window for your favorite apps and sites (including Netflix).
When it comes to security, ExpressVPN is one of the best in the industry. For example, it has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited multiple times, and comes with high-end security features like full leak protection, RAM-only servers (every reboot deletes all stored data), and perfect forward secrecy, which makes your encryption key frequently change to prevent past and future keys from getting compromised.
ExpressVPNÂ has plans that start at $6.67 / month. Thatâs a bit more expensive than other top VPNs, but it offers the best value. All ExpressVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
ð¥2. Private Internet Access â Great for Watching Netflix Japan on Mobile Devices
Private Internet Access (PIA)Â has fast, sleek, and intuitive mobile apps that are perfect for watching Netflix Japan. It has super easy-to-install native apps for Android and iOS â I added PIA on my Galaxy smartphone, iPhone, and my daughterâs iPad in less than 3 minutes! Also, it took me about 4 seconds to connect to a server since the server list is well-organized, simple to navigate, and includes a search bar.
Plus, this VPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, and smart TVs, so you can watch your favorite Netflix Japan titles in Japan on any device. It also supports manual router setups, but thatâs less convenient than ExpressVPNâs router app.
You also get great streaming support. A PIA live chat rep confirmed the VPN works with 5+ other Netflix libraries and 30+ top streaming services, including Disney+. Plus, it comes with a smart DNS, so you can stream on your gaming console.
PIA provided me with really fast speeds, as HD videos loaded instantly, 4K videos took just 2 seconds to load, and I never experienced any interruptions or other delays. Plus, Iâm a fan of how PIA displays the latency (the time it takes the internet signal to travel from your device to the server) in an easy-to-read color-coded system â this helps you choose the fastest Japanese server. That said, PIA failed to match ExpressVPNâs speeds.
And PIA is very secure â you get RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and all of its apps are open-source, meaning the code is public and you can read through it to ensure there are no security flaws. PIAâs no-logs policy has been independently audited (and has also been verified by court documents). The VPN also releases transparency reports that confirm that it doesnât store or share any user data.
Private Internet Access has plans that start at $2.11 / month. All of PIAâs plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
ð¥3. CyberGhost VPN â Dedicated Streaming Servers for Netflix Japan
CyberGhost VPN offers dedicated servers for streaming Netflix Japan that are optimized to provide the best streaming speeds. My colleague in Japan tested it in his location and said he had no problem watching content on his Netflix Japan account.
In terms of speed, CyberGhost is pretty fast. When I connected to a US server, all videos in HD and 4K on Netflix US loaded in just 1â2 seconds and there was no buffering. I asked my colleague in Japan to test the speeds of the streaming-optimized servers for Netflix Japan, and he said HD videos loaded instantly.
I like how user-friendly CyberGhost apps are. The VPN keeps all of its streaming-optimized servers in a separate tab, so itâs very easy to locate and connect to the Netflix Japan-optimized server location.
Iâm a huge fan of its Smart Rules feature that allows for automation of VPN connections. For instance, you can set it up to automatically connect you to the Netflix Japan server and launch the Netflix app on your desktop as soon as it establishes a connection.
CyberGhost uses RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy and has an audited no-logs policy. The VPN comes with DNS and IPv6 leak protection (it disables all IPv6 traffic), but itâs a shame you need to manually disable WebRTC, which ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access have built-in.
CyberGhost VPNâs plans start at $2.03 / month. Its long-term plans are backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee, and thereâs a 14-day guarantee for shorter plans.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN â Fast VPN With Good Streaming Support
NordVPNÂ has really good speeds â in my speed tests, HD videos only took about 2 seconds to load, and 4K videos loaded in 3â4 seconds and there was only minor buffering at the start. That said, NordVPN still has slightly slower speeds than ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access.
My colleague in Japan had no issues streaming Netflix Japan content with NordVPN. The provider also works with 10+ other popular streaming sites, such as Amazon Prime and Disney+ (confirmed by its support reps). Even so, I think you get a better variety with other competitors â for example, ExpressVPN works with 100+ streaming platforms, and Private Internet Access is compatible with 30+ streaming services.
NordVPN also has a smart DNS feature for watching Netflix Japan titles on a device that doesnât support VPNs, like your smart DNS or gaming console. Our colleague in Japan tested it and said it worked with the site.
You also get strong security and privacy features. It comes with a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and verified several times. It also has full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and RAM-only servers. Plus, I like its Threat Protection feature that can block connections to shady sites â so it can protect you from phishing sites that imitate Netflix.
NordVPNâs plans start at only $3.39 / month. All purchases include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark â Good VPN for Beginners
Surfshark has easy-to-use apps and works with Netflix Japan 24/7 (as confirmed by my colleague in Japan). This makes it a good VPN for new VPN users that want to watch Netflix Japan content. Itâs simple to install on any device and has a really intuitive interface so beginners can quickly find and connect to the Japanese server.
Plus, this VPN also has good streaming support. It works with 50+ other streaming platforms, but not Disney+, and also has a smart DNS.
In my speed tests, Surfshark performed pretty well â HD videos loaded in 3â4 seconds, while 4K videos took about 5â6 seconds to load and there was minor buffering when skipping through the videos. However, it wasnât as fast as the other VPNs on this list.
With this VPN, you also get strong security and privacy while streaming on Netflix. It has an audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. It also comes with a pretty good VPN ad blocker, called CleanWeb. And while it lacks full leak protection, it still properly protects your traffic â I ran 5+ leak tests on its servers and my real data never leaked.
Surfshark is very affordable, with plans starting at $1.99 / month. Plus, every plan is backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching Netflix Japan in 2024
Disclaimer: Using a VPN to stream Netflix Japan content from outside its licensed region breaches Netflixâs Terms of Service and might constitute copyright infringement.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching Netflix Japan in 2024
- Find a VPN that has servers in Japan. My top recommendation is ExpressVPN, but all the VPNs on my list offer servers in Japan.
- Select a VPN that offers excellent streaming support. All VPNs on my list work with Netflix and other streaming sites like Amazon Prime.
- Choose a VPN known for its quick streaming speeds. While VPNs inherently reduce speeds due to the data encryption process, the best ones manage to keep the speeds high. All the VPNs I tested delivered fast streaming, but ExpressVPN was consistently the fastest.
- Choose a VPN thatâs user-friendly. All of the VPNs on this list have easy-to-install apps for tons of different devices. Their apps also come with intuitive interfaces that make it simple to connect to a server and stream Netflix Japan.
- Select a VPN with strong security. All of the VPNs listed here protect user data with industry-standard VPN security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy that prevents the VPN from logging your browsing traffic, protection against DNS, IPV6, or WebRTC leaks, and a kill switch that prevents traffic leaks by blocking web access if the VPN disconnects.
- Pick a VPN that provides good value. I only recommend VPNs that include extra features like split-tunneling and a smart DNS, allow multiple simultaneous connections, have affordable plans, and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to Watch Netflix Japan Content on Any Device
How to Watch Netflix Japan Content on Your PC or Mac Device
- Choose a good VPN that works with Netflix Japan. I recommend ExpressVPN as it consistently works with Netflix Japan, has fast speeds, and provides user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Download and install the VPN. This process should only take 1-2 minutes. Just follow the installation wizardâs instructions.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a local server. After that, log into your Netflix account â you can now watch Netflix.
How to Watch Netflix Japan Content on Your Smartphone or Tablet
- Choose a good VPN that works with Netflix Japan. My top pick is ExpressVPNÂ for its easy-to-use Android and iOS apps.
- Download and install the VPN app. Find the app on your deviceâs app store and download it. Follow any given instructions to finish the setup.
- Launch the VPN app to connect to a local server. Then, open Netflix and start watching your favorite Japanese titles.
How to Watch Netflix Japan Content on Your Smart TV
- Get a VPN that works with Netflix Japan 24/7. I think ExpressVPN is the best option because it has excellent apps for smart TVs and routers.
- On Android TVs. Download the VPN providerâs app from Google Play. After you install the app, scroll through the list of server locations and connect to a local server.
- On non-Android TVs. Manually configure the VPN on your router â or just use ExpressVPN since it has a user-friendly router app. Connect to a server. After that, all of the devices in your home that are connected to the router will use the VPN.
- Open Netflix. You can now start watching Netflix on your smart TV.
How to Watch Netflix Japan Content on Amazon Fire Stick
- Sign up for a VPN that works with Netflix Japan. ExpressVPN has an easy-to-use app for Amazon Fire Stick.
- Download and install the VPN app from the app store. The whole process wonât take more than 2 minutes.
- Connect to a nearby server. Once connected, launch the Netflix app and log in to start watching Netflix Japan content.
How to Watch Netflix Japan Content on Your Gaming Console
- Get a VPN that works with Netflix Japan and is compatible with routers. ExpressVPN is my #1 pick because itâs one of the only VPNs on the market that has a router app.
- Set up the VPN on your router. Next, connect to a server. Once you do that, all devices that use the router to access the web (including your gaming consoles) will use the VPN connection.
- Open Netflix on your gaming console. Log in, and youâre all set to catch up with your favorite movies and TV shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whatâs the best VPN for watching Netflix Japan?
ExpressVPN is my top choice for streaming content on Netflix Japan â my colleague in Japan confirmed that it consistently works with Netflix Japan, it has easy-to-use apps for all major devices, and it provides incredibly fast speeds.
Do free VPNs work with Netflix Japan?
Some might, but most free VPNs wonât work with Netflix Japan. Even if a free VPN works with Netflix Japan, I still donât recommend it â most free VPNs limit the amount of data youâre allowed to use each day or month, are slow, and lack basic security features.
Instead, I recommend a low-cost VPN like ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access â both work with Netflix Japan, have fast speeds, and are incredibly secure.
Why does Netflix Japan have different content?
This is due to licensing agreements, which typically only allow Netflix to stream certain content in specific regions, like Japan. When you travel outside your home country, the content available to you may change. In theory, a good VPN (like any of the VPNs on this list) will allow you to watch titles that arenât available in your location, but that goes against Netflixâs Terms of Service and can be regarded as copyright infringement.
