How To Watch Japanese TV in the UK (Novice-Friendly Guide)

Watching Japanese TV in the UK is now a breeze with the right resources at your disposal. One of the best tools for the job is a VPN.

It hides your true location and gives you an IP from Japan. Then, you can have access to any TV channel of your choice.

So, let’s get to action already! Read on to find out how to watch Japanese TV in the UK.

How to watch Japanese TV in the UK

You’ll need a VPN to watch Japanese TV channels in the United Kingdom.

This cybersecurity tool allows you to spoof your location and sneak into any website that restricts your access. All you have to do is connect to the region where the platform is.

For example, if you’re in the UK and want to stream Japanese content, you’ll have to connect to a server in Japan. Once the connection is active, you’re in!

The guide below will show you how to get this done:

Use NordVPN

1. Subscribe to NordVPN. I recommend it because its servers are super-fast and consistently circumvent geo-restrictions.
2. Download the VPN app to your device.
3. Then, launch it and log in with your correct details.
4. Click on the downward arrow to display the list of servers.
5. Now, choose Japan as your location.
6. Go back to any Japanese channel of your choice and stream. In this test, I got access to NHK.

Why do you need a VPN to watch Japanese TV in the UK?

You’ll need a VPN to watch Japanese TV in the UK because it can help you bypass geo-blocks. It does this by masking your IP address and making it appear as if you’re connecting from Japan. 

In addition to that, a VPN protects your information from third parties while you’re on the internet. It’s also likely to boost your internet speed to prevent buffering while you’re streaming content.

Best VPNs for Japanese TV 

Seeing that there are hundreds of VPNs promising the best features, it can be daunting to choose the right one.

However, after testing all kinds of providers, here’s my pick of the best VPNs for streaming Japanese TV. Check them out:

1. NordVPN

Besides locations in Japan, NordVPN has 5000+ servers distributed in 60 countries. Additionally, it’s ultra-fast and delivers the best rate while streaming content on Japanese TV channels.

It also incorporates the Nordlynx protocol, built specially for speed and security.

In addition to this, if your connection doesn’t bypass geo-restrictions, you can easily switch to Obfuscated servers. They’ll make it look like you’re using a regular network connection. 

Furthermore, this provider secures your traffic with military-grade encryption.

This is to prevent your ISP from monitoring your online activities and throttling your internet. You can even connect up to five devices simultaneously.

Pros:

• 5800+ servers in 60 countries.
• 256-bit encryption
• Automatic kill switch
• SmartPlay
• Multi-platform support

Cons:

• Refund issues on Apple devices
• No obfuscated servers on Android

NordVPN

NordVPN’s speedy servers and region coverage will satisfy even the pickiest watchers.

Try Now Visit Website

2. ExpressVPN

You can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN in your arsenal. This VPN easily bypasses geo-restrictions on any platform including Japanese TV streaming websites.

One other thing that makes it stand out is its speed. All of its 3000 servers across 94 countries run at an amazing speed of 10 Gbps. 

This means you can stream online for a very long time without a sign of latency. To further enhance your streaming experience, this VPN also offers unlimited bandwidth.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN ensures your security with 256-bit encryption. This feature prevents your ISP from throttling your connection.

Lastly, DNS leak protection prevents leaks that reveal your real location. 

Pros:

• Split tunneling
• Automatic kill switch
• No activity log
• 24/7 customer support
• Military-grade encryption

Cons:

• More expensive than other providers

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN’s unblocking capabilities and ease of use make it stand out from its competitors.

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3. Surfshark

Dedicated IP addresses remain the same every time you go online and it’s used by only one customer. Also, it’s almost impossible for services to block this IP. 

This means that Japanese TV streaming websites will see your connection as normal and won’t block you. To further prevent restrictions, Surfshark also encrypts your data with 256-bit encryption.

Moreover, Surfshark has fast servers in Japan and they are located in 10 cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. Connecting to one of them makes streaming buffer-free.

Best of all, you can connect unlimited devices on one account. So, no matter how many of your friends want to watch Japanese channels, they can use your login.

Finally, Surfshark has dedicated apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Also, all of its applications are user-friendly.

Pros:

• Cheap plans
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• 256-bit military encryption
• Dedicated apps for most devices
• Unlimited bandwidth

Cons:

• DNS leaks are common in macOS

Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the best streaming options for households with many devices.

Try Now Visit Website

4. PIA

PIA’s remarkable speed is a crucial factor in providing a seamless streaming experience. Users can enjoy high-definition content without annoying buffering interruptions. 

Furthermore, PIA has a great track record when it comes to unblocking Japanese content in the UK.

Thanks to multiple simultaneous connections, family members or roommates can all enjoy their favorite TV channels on their respective devices.

Additionally, PIA uses DNS leak protection and 256-bit military encryption to prevent your real location from leaking.

Lastly, with features like strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy, users can trust that their online activities remain confidential.

Pros:

• Dedicated IP
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Live chat support
• Simultaneous connections
• Automatic kill switch

Cons:

• User interface is not so friendly 

Private Internet Access

If you’re browsing for a budget-friendly premium provider, check out PIA!

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5. CyberGhost

When it comes to streaming Japanese TV channels in the UK, CyberGhost stands out as an excellent VPN option. 

Firstly, it has a substantial number of servers in Japan, ensuring a reliable connection with minimal disruptions.

Secondly, speed is a crucial factor for uninterrupted streaming, and CyberGhost doesn’t disappoint. 

With its optimized streaming servers, users can enjoy high-quality content without experiencing frustrating buffering.

By masking your true location and assigning you an IP from Japan, CyberGhost allows you to circumvent geographical limitations, enabling access to exclusive Japanese TV content that is otherwise inaccessible in the UK. 

In terms of device compatibility, CyberGhost shines as well. It offers a wide range of apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more. 

Pros:

• Dedicated IP address
• 256-bit military encryption
• Automatic kill switch
• Split tunneling
• 45-day money-back guarantee
• 7 simultaneous devices

Cons: 

• Apple apps have less features

CyberGhost

CyberGhost’s dedication to privacy and special streaming servers make it excellent for unblocking.

Try Now Visit Website

Which Japanese TV channels can I stream online? 

You can stream the following Japanese channels online:

• NHK [free] (The Dragon Dentist, 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki, My Beautiful Stutter, Searching for the Standing Boy of Nagasaki, Japanology Plus, Tokyo Eye)
• Nikko TV [free] (One Piece, Death Note, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Hajime no Ippo, My Hero Academia, Spirited Away)
• TBS [free] (Jujutsu Kaisen, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Babel (I), Rush (I), Road Trip, White Collar)
• Fuji Television[paid] (Hero, Nodame Cantabile, 1 Litre of Tears, Tokyo Dogs, Zettai Kareshi, Tokyo Love Story, Tsuki no Koibito, Saiyūki)
• TV Japan [paid] (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vinland Saga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, The Seven Deadly Sins, My Happy Marriage, Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure)
• TV Asahi [free] (Doraemon, Kamen Rider, Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk, Bluelock, The Unfettered Shogun, Magical DoReMi, Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, Am I Actually the Strongest?)
• Fuji News Network [free] (The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Futurama, Star Trek, Alien, 24, Sing 2, One Piece, Undercover Agent Reiji, The Confidence Man JP)
• Tokyo MX [free] (Souryo to Majiwaru Shikiyoku no Yoru ni, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, Mob Psycho 100, My Happy Marriage, Masamune-kun’s Revenge)
• NHK General TV [free] (Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirou, The 13 Lords of the Shogun, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, What will you do, Ieyasu?, Document 72 Hours, Ooku)
• Wowow [paid] (Ishi no Mayu, Hokuto, Innocent days, Saka no Tochu no Ie, Cold Case: Shinjitsu no Tobira, Iari: Mienai Kao, Akuto: Kagaisha Tsuiseki Chosa)

Is it legal to watch Japanese TV in the UK with a VPN?

Yes, it’s legal to watch Japanese TV in the UK with a VPN. There are no laws in the UK that specifically ban the use of VPNs to watch geo-restricted content. 

However, if you’re violating the terms of service of a streaming service, you could be banned from it. 

Summary 

So, now you know how to watch Japanese TV in the UK!

Due to copyright laws, Japanese TV channels do not distribute their content outside the country. Because of this, it’s difficult for Japanese citizens in other regions, especially the UK, to stream movies.

Thankfully, VPNs were made to break this barrier. With this tool, you can bypass geo-restrictions and watch Japanese TV in the UK with ease.

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