How to Watch Only Yesterday on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

Only Yesterday (1991) is listed on Netflix Italy under the title Pioggia di ricordi. Directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, this Japanese animated drama follows Taeko Okajima, a 27-year-old office worker who leaves Tokyo for a countryside vacation and reflects on her childhood. The original Japanese voice cast includes Miki Imai, Toshiro Yanagiba, and Yoko Honna. The official English-language Netflix Italy page displays the film with Japanese original audio, an English audio option, and English and Italian subtitles.

Unfortunately, Only Yesterday is not currently available on Netflix US. American viewers interested in its Italian listing can find Italy VPN connections through Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN. PIA offers Milan, Naples, and a streaming-optimized Italian location, ExpressVPN provides three Italian cities, and NordVPN advertises more than 60 servers in Italy.

However, connecting to Italy through a VPN does not guarantee access to Only Yesterday. Although the English-language Netflix Italy page displays the film and JustWatch Italy lists it on Netflix, another official page request returned an unavailability warning. Netflix may also recognize VPN traffic and restrict viewers to globally licensed movies. Its official VPN support guidance explains these restrictions. Subscribers must also follow Netflix’s requirements and their VPN provider’s terms, including PIA’s geographic restriction policy.

How to watch Only Yesterday on Netflix with a VPN

Netflix Italy lists Only Yesterday, but playback through a VPN depends on Netflix’s licensing requirements and the applicable service terms. If your intended use is permitted, follow these steps to check the film.

1. Choose a VPN provider. Private Internet Access is our first recommendation, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN application from the provider’s official website.
3. Connect to Italy using an officially documented Italian VPN server.
4. Fully close Netflix, including open browser tabs and background application sessions.
5. Reopen Netflix after establishing the Italian VPN connection.
6. Sign in using your existing Netflix account credentials.
7. Search for Only Yesterday (1991) or its Italian title, Pioggia di ricordi.
8. Start playback if Netflix displays the film and your subscription, licensing rights, and applicable terms permit access.

Choose Italy manually rather than relying on your VPN application’s automatic connection setting. Automatic features usually prioritize nearby or fast servers, which may result in an American location.

You can also examine the Netflix Italy page for Only Yesterday. The movie’s Netflix title ID is 80092922.

Only Yesterday is different from many other Studio Ghibli films because it focuses on everyday adulthood, memory, family expectations, and the contrast between city and rural life.

The film alternates between Taeko’s childhood in the 1960s and her adult experiences in the early 1980s. Its original Japanese title is Omoide Poro Poro, written おもひでぽろぽろ.

Netflix Italy lists Japanese original audio, an English audio option, and several other dubbed languages. It also identifies English, Italian, Japanese, and additional subtitle options.

Actual audio and subtitle availability may vary according to your Netflix profile, device, and licensing region. A working Italian VPN connection does not automatically guarantee playback.

Best VPNs for watching Only Yesterday on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all offer Italian VPN connections. Their primary differences involve server selection, streaming optimization, supported protocols, and infrastructure.

VPN	Server locations in Italy	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	IT Milano, IT Naples, IT Streaming Optimized	IT Streaming Optimized for permitted local streaming
ExpressVPN	Cosenza, Milan, Naples	Italy – Milan
NordVPN	Milan, Rome, Palermo; 60+ Italian servers advertised	Italy automatic connection

These locations come from official VPN provider documentation. They do not represent independently confirmed Netflix playback results, and no provider guarantees access to Only Yesterday through the Italian catalog.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is our Editor’s Choice because it offers documented Italian locations, dedicated streaming-optimized infrastructure, and support for WireGuard and OpenVPN.

According to PIA’s official server directory, its Italian options include IT Milano, IT Naples, and IT Streaming Optimized.

Italian server locations and streaming optimization

PIA provides two city-specific Italian connection choices and a streaming-optimized location.

IT Milano offers a standard Italian VPN connection, while IT Naples provides another Italian IP option.

IT Streaming Optimized is intended for permitted streaming activity. It is designed to support stable video connections when used in accordance with applicable terms.

However, streaming optimization concerns network performance rather than content rights. Selecting this location does not guarantee access to Only Yesterday on Netflix.

For general privacy protection and authorized internet use, Milan and Naples provide alternatives when diagnosing ordinary connection problems.

How to select an Italian PIA server

The PIA application includes a searchable server directory.

Follow these steps to establish an Italian connection:

1. Open Private Internet Access and sign in.
2. Select VPN SERVER to display available locations.
3. Search for Italy or Streaming.
4. Choose IT Milano, IT Naples, or IT Streaming Optimized.
5. Connect and confirm that the application shows an active connection.

For permitted local streaming in Italy, IT Streaming Optimized is a logical first choice. Milan and Naples provide documented alternatives.

PIA also supports saving preferred locations as favorites.

Physical and virtual server locations

Private Internet Access distinguishes between physical and virtual VPN endpoints.

A physical location generally uses server equipment in the same country as the assigned public IP address. A virtual location provides an IP address associated with one country while physically hosting the server elsewhere.

PIA’s published virtual server documentation identifies IT Naples as a virtual location hosted physically in Frankfurt, Germany.

This means a user can obtain an Italian public IP address through IT Naples even though the underlying hardware operates outside Italy.

The provider does not identify IT Milano or IT Streaming Optimized as virtual destinations in that list.

Physical hosting arrangements can influence international routing and performance. A country-specific IP address does not always indicate the server’s physical location.

WireGuard and OpenVPN performance

PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN on compatible devices.

WireGuard uses a lightweight design intended to minimize connection overhead while maintaining encrypted traffic.

OpenVPN provides an established alternative with broad compatibility across devices and networks.

Users can change protocols through the application’s Settings menu. Disconnect the VPN before selecting a different protocol, then reconnect to the chosen Italian location.

For a movie lasting approximately 119 minutes, sustained download speed and connection reliability matter more than small differences in latency.

Actual performance depends on internet quality, international routing, network congestion, and device capabilities.

Streaming troubleshooting

PIA’s official streaming support guide recommends clearing browser cookies and cache, updating the application, and reconnecting when ordinary connection problems occur.

For permitted troubleshooting, users can compare IT Streaming Optimized with IT Milano and IT Naples.

These measures can improve connection stability but cannot override Netflix’s regional licensing restrictions.

PIA’s geographic restriction policy

PIA explicitly prohibits using its VPN to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers.

Its streaming guidance also directs users to select servers in the country where they are physically located.

Consequently, American subscribers should not treat PIA’s Italian server options as permission to bypass Netflix’s regional catalog rules.

Review the Private Internet Access Terms of Service before using the service.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN ranks second because it provides three officially documented Italian server locations and supports multiple connection protocols.

The official ExpressVPN Italy page identifies Milan, Naples, and Cosenza as supported cities.

ExpressVPN server locations in Italy

ExpressVPN provides three city-level Italian options.

Milan is a sensible manual starting point for general encrypted browsing. Naples and Cosenza provide additional geographical choices.

These locations offer alternatives for users experiencing ordinary server congestion or routing problems.

ExpressVPN advertises high-capacity server infrastructure in Italy, but server capacity does not guarantee Netflix compatibility.

How to select an Italian ExpressVPN server

ExpressVPN provides a location picker for manual country and city selection.

Follow these steps:

1. Open ExpressVPN and sign in.
2. Open the VPN location selector.
3. Search for Italy.
4. Choose Milan, Naples, or Cosenza.
5. Connect and confirm that the VPN is active.

ExpressVPN also includes Smart Location, which recommends servers according to speed, geographical distance, and latency.

However, Smart Location does not necessarily select Italy for someone connecting from the United States. Choose an Italian destination manually when an authorized activity requires that location.

Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN

ExpressVPN supports Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN on compatible devices.

Lightway is the provider’s proprietary VPN protocol and is designed for efficient encrypted connections.

WireGuard provides a lightweight alternative, while OpenVPN supports established UDP and TCP modes.

ExpressVPN’s official server directory documents these protocol families for its Italian locations.

Available protocol options vary according to the operating system and application version.

Automatic protocol selection is a reasonable starting point. If ordinary network instability occurs, another supported protocol may improve connection reliability.

Physical and virtual server infrastructure

ExpressVPN operates physical and virtual VPN locations worldwide.

A virtual server location supplies an IP address associated with one country while physically hosting the underlying hardware elsewhere.

Italy does not appear in ExpressVPN’s published virtual server destination list.

Its Italian entries therefore do not carry the provider’s virtual-location designation.

However, ExpressVPN does not disclose the precise physical address of every individual Italian server.

Streaming performance and limitations

ExpressVPN’s Milan, Naples, and Cosenza locations provide alternatives for legitimate encrypted browsing and permitted streaming activities.

Actual performance depends on the user’s internet speed, server congestion, international routing, and device capabilities.

Connecting from the United States to Italy may increase latency because traffic passes through an additional international server.

If a permitted streaming session becomes unstable, update ExpressVPN, check your ordinary internet speed, or test another documented Italian city.

ExpressVPN expects subscribers to respect copyright laws and streaming service terms.

Netflix may recognize the VPN regardless of connection quality, so ExpressVPN cannot guarantee access to Only Yesterday through Italy.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN ranks third in our comparison, although it advertises more than 60 Italian servers and offers convenient automatic selection.

According to the official NordVPN Italy server page, the provider documents Milan, Rome, and Palermo as available locations.

Italian server coverage

NordVPN users can choose Italy directly from the application’s map or country list.

The application can automatically select an available server based on its connection algorithm.

Users who prefer manual selection can choose Milan, Rome, or Palermo through the available city controls.

The advertised server count describes the scale of NordVPN’s Italian network. It does not establish that any specific server will access a regionally licensed Netflix movie.

How to connect through NordVPN

Open NordVPN and sign in using your account credentials.

Find Italy on the interactive map or country list and select it to establish an automatic connection.

For manual city selection, expand the Italy location controls and choose Milan, Rome, or Palermo.

Confirm that NordVPN reports an active connection.

Automatic server selection simplifies everyday encrypted browsing, while manual selection can help diagnose ordinary connectivity issues.

NordLynx and connection performance

NordVPN uses NordLynx, a protocol based on WireGuard.

NordLynx aims to provide efficient encrypted networking with relatively low processing overhead.

For video streaming, sustained throughput and reliable routing matter more than the total number of available servers.

Actual performance depends on internet quality, international network distance, server congestion, and device capabilities.

If a permitted connection becomes unstable, users can reconnect automatically or select another documented Italian city.

How NordVPN SmartPlay works

NordVPN includes SmartPlay, which combines VPN protection with DNS-related streaming functionality.

According to NordVPN’s official SmartPlay documentation, SmartPlay activates automatically whenever users connect through a NordVPN application.

No separate installation or manual activation is required.

SmartPlay supports legitimate streaming activity alongside the encrypted connection.

However, SmartPlay does not override Netflix’s licensing decisions and cannot guarantee that Only Yesterday will play from the United States through an Italian VPN server.

NordVPN troubleshooting and restrictions

If NordVPN cannot maintain a stable Italian connection, disconnect and reconnect before changing additional settings.

Users can also test another documented city, update the application, and review the active protocol.

NordVPN requires subscribers to respect applicable copyright laws and content provider terms.

A successful Italian VPN connection does not guarantee access to regionally licensed Netflix movies.

What to do if Only Yesterday does not appear

Netflix may hide Only Yesterday because of geographic licensing, VPN detection, language preferences, profile restrictions, or ordinary connectivity issues. For permitted connection troubleshooting, follow these steps.

1. Close Netflix completely, including browser tabs and background sessions.
2. Disconnect from your current VPN connection.
3. Reconnect to Italy if your intended VPN use complies with the applicable terms.
4. Try another available Italian server if the connection itself is unstable.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache.
6. Open an incognito or private browsing window.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in using your existing credentials.
8. Search for Only Yesterday (1991), Pioggia di ricordi, or おもひでぽろぽろ.

Private Internet Access users can compare IT Streaming Optimized with Milan and Naples. ExpressVPN offers Milan, Naples, and Cosenza. NordVPN provides Milan, Rome, and Palermo.

These alternatives may help diagnose ordinary connection issues, but switching servers cannot guarantee regional Netflix access.

Because the film has different localized titles, searching for Pioggia di ricordi may help identify the Italian listing. Confirm that you select the 1991 Studio Ghibli movie directed by Isao Takahata.

Netflix’s official missing-title troubleshooting guide explains that licensing rights, VPN recognition, profile settings, and language preferences can affect search results.

If Netflix detects the VPN and restricts the catalog, disconnecting it may restore movies normally available in your physical location.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN changes the public IP address that websites and streaming platforms see when users connect to the internet.

Connecting through an Italian endpoint can make the visible public IP address appear associated with Italy.

However, Netflix does not automatically grant access to every movie licensed in Italy based solely on an Italian IP address.

Netflix negotiates streaming rights separately across markets. Only Yesterday can appear in Italy while remaining unavailable through Netflix US.

When Netflix recognizes VPN traffic, it may restrict subscribers to movies and television shows with worldwide licensing rights.

This can lead to missing films, unexpected search results, or playback errors even when the VPN connection works correctly.

Netflix explains these restrictions in its official VPN support policy.

No VPN provider guarantees access to Only Yesterday from the United States through an Italian server.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections.

Subscribers using an ad-supported plan may encounter playback errors when Netflix detects a VPN or proxy connection.

Netflix recommends disconnecting the VPN to restore normal access.

Ad-free subscriptions avoid this specific restriction, but they do not eliminate geographic licensing rules or VPN detection.

Even with an ad-free plan, Netflix may restrict VPN users to globally licensed content rather than displaying its full Italian catalog.

For more information, see Netflix’s official VPN error guidance for ad-supported plans.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to an Italian VPN server does not automatically change your Netflix account country, email address, password, profiles, subscription, or billing information.

A VPN changes the visible public IP address rather than directly updating the account’s registered details.

Netflix catalogs can differ between countries because film distributors license titles separately in different markets.

However, changing the apparent IP address does not guarantee access to another country’s entire catalog.

Netflix may also recognize VPN traffic and restrict regionally licensed movies.

For details, consult Netflix’s account country documentation.

American viewers who cannot find Only Yesterday on Netflix can check JustWatch’s current US streaming options.

At the time of research, JustWatch listed HBO Max and HBO Max Amazon Channel as subscription choices. Rental and purchase options were also available through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango at Home.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access is our first recommendation for Italian VPN features because it offers IT Milano, IT Naples, and IT Streaming Optimized, alongside WireGuard and OpenVPN support. However, its Naples endpoint is documented as a virtual location physically hosted in Germany, and PIA prohibits circumventing geographic restrictions. American viewers should not treat Italian VPN connections as permission to bypass Netflix’s licensing rules.

ExpressVPN ranks second with documented Italian server locations in Milan, Naples, and Cosenza, alongside Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN support where available. NordVPN follows with more than 60 advertised Italian servers, city choices in Milan, Rome, and Palermo, NordLynx, and automatically activated SmartPlay. Both support legitimate encrypted connections, but neither guarantees Netflix playback.

As of October 15, 2026, Only Yesterday (1991) is not available on Netflix US, while JustWatch Italy lists the film on Netflix and the English-language Netflix Italy page displays it. An Italian-language page request returned an availability warning, so direct playback should be confirmed before relying on the listing. Netflix’s geographic licensing, VPN detection, and provider restrictions may prevent access from the United States. American viewers can also use officially licensed domestic streaming alternatives.