How To Watch Netflix In Japan

Netflix is one of the world’s largest streaming services and is available in most major countries around the world. From Netflix Originals to movies and TV shows offered by studios around the world, subscribers from pretty much anywhere in the world can view a number of different titles.

However, depending on the country you’re located in, you may not be able to view the same titles that are available to users in other countries. For example, some titles available in the United States may not be available to Netflix users in Japan. Conversely, some titles available to Netflix subscribers in Japan may not be available to viewers in the United States.

This is due to geo-restrictions placed on certain companies due to media distributions deals and copyright laws.

However, there is a way to get around these geo-restrictions by using a high-quality VPN service like the ones we’ve reviewed here at Pinpoint VPN. Below, we’ll explain why Netflix geo-restricts certain titles in various countries, and show you a step-by-step guide to get around the restrictions and watch Netflix in Japan (or any other country, for that matter)!

Is Netflix Available In Japan?

Yes! Netflix is available in Japan. However, Japanese subscribers won’t have access to the same titles as subscribers in other countries. That being said, Japanese subscribers will usually have dibs on films and series produced by Japanese studios. Many of these native Japanese titles won’t be available to Netflix users outside of Japan until months or years later.

While the United States still offers the most titles on Netflix (as it’s a US-based company), other countries still have plenty of great titles on Netflix.

Why Aren’t All Netflix Titles Available In Japan?

Netflix (and all streaming platforms, for that matter) geo-restrict certain titles based on media distribution deals that are made with production and film studios. Since the production studios own the rights to certain titles, they get to decide which streaming platforms in which countries get to access certain titles. This allows them to make the most money from their production.

One of the cool things about Netflix, though, is that they produce many of their own series and movies. Since they own the rights to their own films, Netflix Originals tend to be more widely available across country lines.

Can You Watch Netflix Titles Available In Other Countries?

Technically speaking, no… If you try to enter the URL for another country code’s Netflix site into your address bar, you’ll be redirected to your native Netflix site. For example, if you type “www.netflix.jp” into your address bar, you’ll be automatically redirected to “www.netflix.com,” the US version of Netflix.

This is possible because the Netflix platform knows where you’re located, based on your unique region-specific IP address, your GPS location, and the various bits of cookies and cache stored on your browser that give away your location.

However, by using a VPN service (virtual private network), you’ll be able to mask your IP address and make it appear as if you’re located in an entirely different country. This, along with clearing out your cookies/cache, and disabling your device’s GPS, will allow you to access the version of Netflix available in the country where your VPN server is located.

How To Watch Netflix In Japan

Whether you live in Japan and want to watch Netflix titles available in other countries or you live outside of Japan and want to watch native Japanese Netflix titles, follow the guidelines listed below to get past Netflix geo-restrictions and watch any titles you please.

Sign Up For A Netflix Account: Before you do anything else, you’ll need to create a Netflix subscription or sign up for a free trial. Once your account is verified, you’ll be able to progress to the next steps.
Download A Good VPN For Streaming On Your Device: Now, it’s time to download a reliable VPN that’s designed to handle streaming speeds while maintaining good video quality. Some of the top ones that we recommend are ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Most reputable VPN services are available on mobile devices as well as computers, so these steps will work no matter what device you have.
Sign Up For A VPN Subscription: After downloading the VPN application on your device, you’ll need to sign up for a free trial of that VPN (if offered) or subscribe for a membership. Generally, paid memberships offer faster streaming speeds, which can give you better audio and video quality.
Clear Your Browser’s Cookies And Cache: As we mentioned, your browser’s stored cookies and cache can interfere with your VPN and still allow Netflix to see your actual location. This is why you should always clear them before activating your VPN. This can be done by accessing your browsers privacy and security settings, like so:
Start Your VPN And Connect To A Japanese Server: After clearing all of your stored browser cookie and cache data, start your VPN program. To view content in Japan, connect to a Japanese server and then open your browser and type in www.netflix.jp.
Watch Netflix In Any Other Country You Want: You can repeat all of the steps outlined above to watch Netflix in any other country you want! To change the country, simply connect to a VPN server located in the country of your choice and figure out the Netflix URL country code associated with that country.

What Happens If My VPN Is Disconnected?

If your VPN happens to become disconnected while you’re streaming, then your title will stop playing and you’ll be presented with an error message. If you’re using the Netflix app on your device, then the app may crash and need to be restarted.

To prevent this from happening, set your VPN to automatically disconnect you from the internet if the VPN connection becomes unreliable. This will prevent you from having any issues with the platform itself. Simply reboot your VPN or connect to another Japanese VPN server and get back to business.

In Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to watch Netflix in Japan! By using a reliable VPN service, you’ll be able to watch Netflix in any country around the world.

VPNs aren’t just meant for getting around geo-restrictions, though. They can also keep you safe and protected as you browse online by preventing hackers, government agencies, and other unwanted snoopers from tracking your online activity and using it against you.

In an age when cybercrime is at an all-time high, having access to a good VPN is more important than ever!