How to Watch AbemaTV Outside Japan (Super Easy Guide)

AbemaTV is a video streaming platform dedicated to broadcasting mostly Japanese content. It is primarily a television network, with various channels focusing on entertainment, news, sports, anime, etc. Users are granted free limited access to certain content on the platform. However, to view the full range of options available, you will be required to get on a premium plan.

Furthermore, AbemaTV is Japanese-focused, meaning that people outside Japan cannot stream content on the platform. This can be frustrating, especially for AbemaTV lovers who have to travel abroad for brief spells or permanently. 

What is the reason for this restriction? The geo-restrictions are in place because AbemaTV only has the license to stream content on its platform to users in Japan. Allowing non-Japanese users access would be a violation of the terms of their agreement. Hence, the platform identifies IP addresses that aren’t originating from Japan and blocks them off.

This review shows you how to handle this challenge, providing you directions on how to watch AbemaTV outside Japan. Let’s get to it!

How to Watch AbemaTV With a VPN

When you get on the internet, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns you an IP address. An IP address shows your virtual location at any time. Hence, anyone that cares to know can identify your exact location by unscrambling the address. Thus, when AbemaTV identifies your IP address as foreign, it blocks it.

A VPN’s primary job is to encrypt your traffic, ensuring tougher security. However, a VPN can also allow you to change your location by connecting you to a server in that region. To watch AbemaTV outside Japan, you need to follow these steps:

1. Get on a subscription of any VPN provider you are sure can grant you access. 
2. Download and install the VPN app. 
3. Connect to a Japanese server: When you connect to any Japanese server, you will get assigned an IP address that is compatible with Japanese streaming platforms. 
4. After connecting to a Japanese server, you can then minimize and head over to AbemaTV’s home page. With the geo-restriction out of the way, you will be able to stream unhindered.

The Best VPNs to Watch AbemaTV Outside Japan

You may find it impossible to comb the internet to come up with the best provider for your needs. We have made it a lot easier for you. In the list below, you will find 5 VPNs that will grant access to AbemaTV outside Japan. See an article just about different VPNs for AbemaTV here.

Overall Best in Our Tests

ExpressVPN

Overall score: 9.8

• Super-fast servers
• AES 256-bit encryption
• Supports private protocol, Lightway
• Money-back guarantee

Try ExpressVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

ExpressVPN deserves the top spot on our list. This provider is excellent on all ramifications, setting the standard that many others are struggling to catch up to. You can count on ExpressVPN to provide access to AbemaTV, regardless of your location in the world. In faxt, ExpressVPN lets you access nearly all Japanese streaming plattforms abroad, such as Japanese DAZN, Japanese Amazon Prime or GYAO.

The quality of service you enjoy with a VPN comes down to two factors: the provider’s speed and privacy. ExpressVPN performs excellently on both fronts. It has over 3,000 efficient servers in 120 locations and 94 countries. 5 of those are located in Japan. Due to this high number, you can expect great speed with this provider.

However, ExpressVPN even takes specific steps to improve speed. It has incorporated a new VPN protocol known as Lightway. Even more so, its Smart Location feature connects you with the fastest server in your location of choice. These twin factors help improve streaming speed and further eliminate lags.

If you are concerned about Japan’s tough encryption technology, you need not be. ExpressVPN provides you with obfuscated servers. When you connect to any of this, they hide the fact that you are even making use of a VPN. In addition, ExpressVPN supports the AES 256-bit encryption. Similarly, you get other excellent security features such as the kill switch, support for split tunneling, DNS and IP leak prevention features, amongst others. This provider also strictly adheres to its no-logs policy.

The great news is that ExpressVPN provides apps for most device types. You can also download and install it on routers for broader coverage. It also has extensions for Chrome and Mozilla browsers. For watching AbemaTV outside Japan, you can scarcely find a VPN that does better than ExpressVPN.

Cheapest Option

NordVPN

Overall score: 9.6

• Incredibly fast servers
• Great security features
• Verified no-logs policy
• Unblocks streaming platforms

Try NordVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

NordVPN is another strong recommendation for accessing AbemaTV outside Japan. This provider is actually lauded for having features explicitly designed for streaming. Chief amongst them is its SmartPlay feature that ensures quality speed and effectiveness while streaming content.

This provider has no less than 5,500 servers in 59 countries. Of this number, 80 are located in Japan. These servers are super fast and can get you through even the tough geo-blocks. Even further, you get maximum protection while you are streaming content using the VPN.

Thus, in the arsenal this service uses to secure you, you will find the AES 256-bit encryption. This military-grade encryption is even used by the United States security outfits. Furthermore, this provider runs your traffic through its servers twice. This doubles the strength of your encryption, making for stronger security. 

You also get the benefit of using the VPN together with the Onion Network. Like ExpressVPN’s Lightway, NordVPN’s NordLynx is well regarded in the industry. The provider supports other secure protocols such as IPSec and OpenVPN, amongst others.

NordVPN has its headquarters located in Panama. This is significant because of the region’s stance on privacy. Panama isn’t part of the 14 eyes network. Hence, you can expect that there will not be any government-sanctioned subpoena for your data. Even if that were to happen, NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy. External auditors have proven this assertion. Thus, you can rest assured that this provider keeps to its promises.

NordVPN has apps for major device types. You will find compatible apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows devices. You can connect 6 devices simultaneously to one account. Additionally, you can take advantage of this provider’s 30-day money-back policy to request a refund if unsatisfied with the quality of its services.

NordVPN is a great choice for watching Japanese TV outside Japan in general. If you want to access others plattforms such as for example dTV or U-Next, NordVPN will work fine.

Best for connecting multiple devices

Surfshark

Overall score: 9.5

• Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
• Integrates Stealth mode
• Multihop feature available
• 3,000+ servers

Visit Surfshark

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Surfshark is a mid-tier provider you can count on for accessing AbemaTV outside Japan. Unlike the other two previously discussed, this provider’s foray into the industry is recent. However, this does not seem to slow it down. It surely can give some of the top tier providers a run for their money. You may want to give it a try.

Surfshark boasts of 3500 strong servers in 65+ countries. Quite a number of those are located in Japan. This provider not only allows you access to AbemaTV, but unlocks other geo-blocked streaming platforms, too. On its website, it states explicitly that it can unblock 15 Netflix libraries. It makes the same boast for Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, amongst others. This is good news for Japanese people wanting to access the local versions of Netflix or Hulu outside Japan.

Surfshark’s security features are more than sufficient. It uses the standard AES 256-bit encryption on all of its servers. Its Whitelister feature works just like a kill switch, allowing select apps to run on the VPN network and others on the regular network. Its CleanWeb prevents interference from ads, phishing emails, and other malware. You can also activate the Camouflage mode to hide the fact that you are connected to a VPN. Finally, its NoBorders mode gets you through Japan’s surveillance.

One of Surfshark’s selling points is the fact that it allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. It pairs this with no caps on bandwidth. In essence, you can stream for as long as you want on as many devices as you fancy.

Best for Android

PrivateVPN

Overall score: 9.3

• Advanced configuration settings
• Unblocks restricted platforms
• Compatible with most device types
• Supports the OpenVPN, L2TP and IPSec protocols

Visit PrivateVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

PrivateVPN is another strong recommendation for accessing AbemaTV abroad. PrivateVPN has a little over 2,000 servers in 50+ countries. Interestingly, no less than 23 of those servers are located in Japan. You can connect to any of these servers for unhindered access to the streaming platform.

This service provider has remarkable security features. It makes use of the standard AES 256-bit encryption to secure its servers. Additionally, each app comes fitted with a kill switch, DNS and IP leak prevention features, as well as the ability to split tunnel your traffic. It makes use of Perfect Forward Secrecy. This feature protects past VPN sessions even if the immediate one gets compromised.

PrivateVPN offers really affordable pricing and when you sign up, you’ve got 30 days to decide whether or not you’d like to keep your subscription. So if you want to watch Japanese shows abroad in general, play DMM games in USA, or watch AbemaTV in China, the choice is yours.

Offers the best money-back guarantee

CyberGhost

Overall score: 8.8

• 45-day money-back guarantee
• 7,000+ reliable servers
• Strict no-log policy
• Tough security features

Visit CyberGhost

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

This provider is one of the oldest in the industry. However, its features are anything but ancient. It is the industry leader when it comes to standard features expected of a top tier provider. Thus, it makes accessing AbemaTV outside Japan a walk in the park.

This provider has the highest server count of everyone on the list – 6,800 and still counting. Of this number, a whopping 71 are stationed in Japan. This gives you multiple options to connect to from your location. Hence, if you are looking to bypass the geo-blocks on other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, etc., you can do so easily with this provider.

This provider allows for torrenting and peer-to-peer file sharing. This is partly due to its strong security features that guarantee your protection the whole time. With CyberGhost, you get the standard military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. In addition, this provider supports the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. It also boasts of an automatic kill switch that swings into action once the VPN fails.

This provider allows you to connect multiple devices without the slightest hitch. It provides apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux devices. You can download them straight from CyberGhost’s website. It further provides apps for non-traditional operating systems such as the Amazon Fire Stick and Amazon TV.

CyberGhost allows the connection of up to 7 devices at the same time. In the same vein, it offers users unlimited bandwidth and traffic while using the service. You can surf, stream, and download to your heart’s content with no challenges whatsoever.

Features to Look Out For While Choosing a VPN for AbemaTV

There are a plethora of VPN providers in the market today. Due to the increased threats posed by cybercriminals, a lot of persons are making a foray into VPN use. Below, you will find a list of features to tick when settling for any provider. These features will be most useful for those looking to stream AbemaTV from outside Japan.

Server Count and Location: Generally, the more servers a provider has, the better for you. A broad server count means increased speed and reduced lags.

Similarly, the locations of the servers are quite important. In the instant case, since you seek to access AbemaTV outside Japan, you need a provider with servers in Japan. Thankfully, all the providers on this list have multiple servers in Japan.

Speed: Lags and slow speed can frustrate your streaming experience. You should make sure that any provider you settle for has speedy servers that deliver content without the slightest buffering.

Device Compatibility: You need to make sure the provider offers apps for the device you use. It may also be important to consider how many simultaneous connections the VPN allows. This is especially if you intend to stream on multiple devices. This will also be important to determine the number of people you can share your account with.

Data Limits: You will be best served by a provider without data caps or limits. This would give you the free rein to stream content without any issues whatsoever.

Price: It goes without saying that you ought to settle for a provider within your budget. The providers on this list have reasonable subscription offers. Furthermore, it would be best if you considered providers with money-back guarantees.

Why You Need a VPN for AbemaTV

People in Japan are the only ones who can use this streaming service. While on vacation outside of Japan, you will not be able to view media on AbemaTV. As a result, you’ll be unable to access AbemaTV because of your IP address. VPNs allow you to hide your actual IP address and watch AbemaTV as though you’re surfing from Japan. Consequently, you are able to see stuff that had previously been banned. Using a high-quality VPN is essential to ensuring that your internet connection is secure, fast, and private.

Channels to Watch on AbemaTV

AbemaTV provides something for everyone, whether you’re an anime lover or just want to keep up with the newest news. You have access to channels like Abemanews, AbemaGold, MTV Hits, Shogi, and many more. 

What to Do if Your VPN Server Used Cannot Unblock AbemaTV

Before choosing a VPN, always check through customer reviews to see whether the VPN service can deliver on its promises. All the VPNs listed above are perfect for viewing AbemaTV. 

You should attempt to connect to one of the VPN provider’s Japanese servers. The capabilities of VPN servers vary. Some are better suited to certain tasks. 

If additional servers fail to unblock AbemaTV, your VPN service is most likely ineffective. In this scenario, you may contact the VPN’s customer care staff or look for another VPN service provider that supports AbemaTV. 

This is why it’s critical to pick a VPN provider with a reliable refund policy and excellent customer service. This way, resolving any issue you encounter can be easily fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions on Watching AbemaTV Outside Japan

Conclusion

It can be a bummer if you are unable to access your favorite TV show when you move outside Japan. However, this article shows you the means to overcome this challenge. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in Japan and begin streaming without the slightest hitch.