How to Watch Netflix Japan in US States & Abroad in 2025: Access Japanese Netflix from Anywhere With a VPN
To watch Japanese Netflix in the U.S. and abroad, you need a fast VPN that can bypass Netflix’s geoblocks. Read on to learn about the best VPNs with servers in Japan that can give you access to Japanese Netflix. In this visual guide, we’ll help you watch Netflix Japan in the U.S. and abroad.
Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)
Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Watch Netflix Japan in U.S. States & Abroad Guide
- Subscribe to NordVPN for up to 72% off on the first two years.
- Connect to a Server in Japan.
- Stream Japanese Netflix.
Best VPNs to Watch Japanese Netflix:
- NordVPN — Comprehensive security suite in one powerful VPN. Get 72% off the first two years with NordVPN, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark — Unmatched value in multi-device protection. Surfshark’s best deal is available at a 66% (plus 3 months free) discount.
- ExpressVPN — Streamlined security for VPN novices. Sign up now to get 25% off the first year.
Facts and Analysis – How to Get Netflix Japan in America
- Netflix’s Japanese library is exclusive to residents of the Land of the Rising Run. If you’re abroad, a VPN is your best bet for watching Japanese Netflix.
- To watch Japanese Netflix, download and install a VPN, connect to a Japanese server and the Japanese library should display.
- NordVPN’s top-notch unblocking ability makes it the best for unblocking Japanese Netflix. Surfshark is a cheaper alternative.
If you have a soft spot for anime and movies featuring samurai and swordsmen, Japanese Netflix might be your jam. However, some of the most exciting “Hogawood” movies are not available when you’re in the U.S. For that, you’ll need a VPN to get into Japanese Netflix. In this post, we’ll show you how to watch Netflix Japan in the U.S., step by step.
We’ll also highlight the three best VPNs to watch Japanese Netflix and what features make them stand out. Keep an eye out for the list of the best movies you can watch on Japanese Netflix further down. If you’re in a hurry, NordVPN is our top pick for streaming Japanese Netflix, thanks to its best-in-class unblocking ability and fast speeds.
-
10/01/2024
We refreshed these rankings based on the latest VPN testing and market analysis.
-
01/26/2025 Facts checked
Added more details on the top VPN providers.
How to Get Netflix Japan in America
If you live in Japan and often travel abroad, you’ll notice that some of your favorite Japanese movies have pulled a disappearing act. This is because Netflix’s catalog differs from country to country, a practice known as geoblocking. The streaming giant is bound, by copyright and streaming rights restrictions, to show specific titles in specific countries.
To get past Netflix’s geoblocks, you need a robust VPN. Short for virtual private network, a VPN can change your IP address, tricking Netflix into displaying a specific library. For instance, you can connect to a Japanese server to get a Japanese IP address and access Japanese Netflix, even if you’re in the U.S.
How to Get Japanese Netflix: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow the steps below to set up your VPN and access the Japanese Netflix library from the United States or anywhere else in the world. For this example, we’ll use NordVPN, our preferred VPN for unblocking Netflix. That said, the same steps apply equally to any other VPN.
- Download and Install a VPN
Visit your chosen VPN’s website, sign up for an account and download the right client for your device. For mobile devices, go to the device’s app store to download and install the app. Your VPN should be up and running within a few minutes.
- Connect to a Server in Japan
Comb through the VPN’s server list and connect to a Japanese server. If the VPN has more than one Japanese server, connect to the fastest one. Some VPNs might automatically connect you to the fastest Japanese server when you click on Japan.
- Stream Japanese Netflix
Launch your Netflix app and you should see the Japanese library. If it doesn’t work, try a different server or change your protocol. Alternatively, use a different VPN service. To avoid paying for an unsuitable service, use the free trial or money-back guarantee many VPNs offer to check if they work with Netflix before committing.
Best VPNs for Netflix Japan
The best VPN for Netflix Japan must have at least one server in Japan and be capable of skipping past Netflix’s geoblocks. On top of that, it must be fast enough to enable you to watch Netflix without any lag or buffering wheels.
One of the core tasks of a VPN is to ensure your security and privacy while online. As a result, features like AES-256 encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, a variety of protocols and a strict no-logs policy are must-haves. All the VPNs on this list have those features. They also have apps for the major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
1. NordVPN — Best Streaming VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is our top pick and the best VPN for Japan. For starters, of its over 5,000 servers, more than 100 are located in Japan. That should give you ample options for getting a Japanese IP address to stream Netflix Japan.
Additionally, NordVPN is lightning-fast, topping our fastest VPNs list. This makes it an excellent choice if you intend to stream Netflix Japan in HD or 4K resolution, since you won’t suffer any lag. NordVPN’s Double VPN feature is also worth mentioning since it adds an extra layer of security by routing your traffic through two servers instead of one.
Meshnet is another interesting NordVPN feature. The recently-launched tool lets you connect to your home device when on the move. It routes your traffic through a home device and could be the go-to workaround for Netflix password sharing crackdown.
With respect to pricing, NordVPN’s yearly plan is cheaper than ExpressVPN, and the best-value plan is the two-year deal. You can try out NordVPN yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee offer. Read our NordVPN review if you want more information on this premium VPN service.
- **VAT may apply
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
- 10
2. Surfshark — Best Cheap VPN for Streaming
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Surfshark has an array of Japanese servers in Tokyo, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when using it with Netflix Japan. The VPN provider’s commitment to security and privacy also means you can stream with added reassurance — Surfshark has an abundance of security features, which is one of the reasons it has become one of the top VPNs in recent years.
In addition to general security features like a kill switch and AES 256-bit encryption, Surfshark’s offerings include an ad-blocker (CleanWeb) and Camouflage Mode, which conceals VPN traffic. This is ideal for bypassing network restrictions.
If you plan on sharing your subscription, Surfshark is a great choice because it sets no limits on the number of devices you can connect to, and it’s cheap and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Streaming with Surfshark is a smooth, straightforward experience: The app is user-friendly and its connections are fast.
High latency in some locations is one of Surfshark’s main quirks, but this doesn’t tend to impact its video streaming performance. You can read more about this in our Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Best Beginner-Friendly VPN for Streaming
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
In all our years reviewing VPNs, ExpressVPN has always been one of the favorites for unblocking Netflix and other major streaming services. It has four servers in Japan: three in Tokyo and one in Yokohama. In our testing, all of these servers accessed Japanese Netflix on the first crack without any hassle.
Another reason ExpressVPN earns a top spot is that it’s a great VPN for streaming on smart TVs. You can install it directly on your Android TV or Fire TV, or use its Smart DNS feature (Media Streamer) for other TVs. It also offers a dedicated router app, as well as ExpressVPN Aircove (a WiFi router with built-in VPN protection).
ExpressVPN’s main shortcoming is that it’s pricey. The monthly plan is the most expensive of all the VPNs on this list. It has a six-month plan, which the other VPNs don’t have, but it’s still highly priced. Your best bet is the one-year plan, which slashes the price slightly. You can take it for a test drive using its 30-day money-back guarantee, or read our ExpressVPN review to learn more.
- Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
Best Free VPN for Netflix Japan — TunnelBear
Though it wins the award for the cutest VPN concept in our book, TunnelBear isn’t the best free streaming VPN due to its data limits. Nevertheless, TunnelBear is the only secure free VPN that lets you connect to Japanese servers easily. Proton VPN — another free provider — has Japanese servers but doesn’t allow you to choose which server you connect to on its free plan.
Meanwhile, the best free VPN, PrivadoVPN, and Windscribe, another decent free provider, don’t offer Japanese servers on their free plans. You can certainly give TunnelBear a shot with Netflix Japan, though — it’s secure and private, so there’s nothing to lose. Check out our TunnelBear review for more details.
- 2GB
- 2GB
- Unlimited
- Annual pricing only applies for the first year. Renewal fee varies. Unlimited GB, unlimited devices, priority customer service
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Unlimited GB, centralized billing, account manager, price per user per month (minimum 2 users)
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
What To Watch on Japanese Netflix
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best movies to watch on Japanese Netflix. Note that some of them have audio in Japanese, so if you don’t speak it, turn on English subtitles.
- His
- Baseball Girl (Yagusonyeo)
- Mishima (The Last Debate)
- Zatch Bell!
- Hikaru no Go
- Gin Tama
- Doreiku (The Animation)
- Our Little Sister
- Love Disease
- Junpei, Think Again
- Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul
- In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World
- Seiji Oda
- Flashdance
- Trolls
Final Thoughts
By now, you should have a clear idea of how to set up a VPN to stream Netflix Japan, regardless of your location. All you have to do is to download and install a VPN and connect to a Japanese server. Since Netflix has firewalls that track and block VPNs, you need a robust VPN for the task.
We recommend NordVPN because of its unmatched unblocking ability. It’s also fast and the ideal pick for streaming on smart TVs. Take NordVPN for a test drive with peace of mind, knowing you can request a full refund within 30 days if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Have you used a VPN to unblock Japanese Netflix or any other Netflix library? Did the VPN give you access to Netflix? What do you think about the three VPNs we’ve mentioned on this list? Which one do you intend to try out? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. As always, we appreciate you for reading this article.
FAQ
You can unblock Japanese Netflix outside Japan by connecting to a Japanese VPN server. It will give you a Japanese IP address, making Netflix display its Japan library.
You can change your Netflix location by connecting to a proxy server or using a smart DNS. However, none of these options are as reliable as using a VPN.
We recommend either ExpressVPN or NordVPN. PrivadoVPN is a worthwhile free alternative. To use any one of these VPNs, simply download and install it and connect to a Japanese server.