How to Watch dTV Outside Japan in 2024

dTV is a video-content streaming platform exclusive to Japan. Being a region-restricted platform, dTV is strictly accessible to the Japanese people. To that effect, only users in Japan at a specific time will be able to stream great content on dTV.

It will always seem unfair for the platform to lock you out, but it is that way because dTV only has the rights to broadcast in Japan alone. However, a good Virtual Private Network (VPN) service helps you through the censor and makes the content accessible to you, even while you’re not in Japan.

A VPN comes in handy for streaming dTV abroad, so this guide provides all the information you could need.

How to Watch dTV With a VPN

The only way the dTV server recognizes your location is by detecting your IP address. A VPN deals with that by hiding your address behind a virtual (Japanese) one. That makes the virtual address visible to the streaming platform, giving you access to your desired Japanese movies on dTV.

Follow the outline below to get yourself a Japanese IP address via a VPN.

1. Create an account with a VPN and subscribe to a plan.
2. Install the VPN app for your respective device’s operating system (OS).
3. Select a Japanese server.
4. You now have the clearance to Stream dTV without restrictions.

Top VPNs to Watch dTV Outside Japan

We understand that it can be a hassle surfing through the myriad of VPN services out there. Therefore, we recommend five of the best VPNs in the world as follows:

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

This VPN service has bragging rights over its counterparts in the industry because of its efficiency, consistency, and longevity. ExpressVPN makes it into the good books of every VPN review you’ll come across. With over 3,000 servers in 94 countries (including Japan), this VPN makes room for itself as a top VPN for watching dTV outside Japan.

ExpressVPN has a very reliable connection speed, and it is very swift in unblocking geo-restricted content, especially on dTV. The connection doesn’t drop very often, so you can be sure your streaming experience will be void of constant interruptions. Overall, you get unlimited bandwidth to stream as much as you want.

This VPN service employs the services of a kill switch to ensure that your traffic is only transmitted when the VPN connection is active. To reinforce privacy, ExpressVPN does not keep a record of your online activities. It operates via a private Domain Name System (DNS) in a bid to shade you from Internet Service Provider (ISP) throttling and other “public” activities that could alter your connection.

ExpressVPN uses military-grade encryption in securing your traffic data from the preying hands of hackers. Also, it has a split tunneling feature that gives you the freedom to select several apps whose traffic will be routed via the VPN service. Meanwhile, unselected apps will access the internet directly. This VPN provider allows you to connect as many as five devices at a time, with just one subscription payment.

ExpressVPN does not only work with unblocking dTV overseas, but also similar shows such as NicoNico, AbemaTV and GYAO.

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

This VPN provider has all it takes to be the best. You can hardly find fault with NordVPN. It has a server coverage of 5,400+ worldwide and 80 in Japan precisely. Speed is one of the very many highlights of NordVPN— it connects at bolt-rate and helps you maintain a steady connection.

The VPN is very intentional with its dedication to bypass geo-censors in the best form possible. It has a SmartPlay feature to that effect. NordVPN delivers a top-quality dTV streaming experience and offers unlimited bandwidth of data to seal the package. Reviews from users support the claim that there was no buffering throughout the streaming exercise. What more can we ask for?

NordVPN grants us more with its privacy features. It integrates a kill switch into its service such that your internet connection gets switched off if, by any chance, your VPN connection drops. The VPN also has a no-log policy that is audited regularly. For a VPN that checks itself, you can lay your “baggage” without any fuss.

This VPN provider also uses the “ultimate” 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and has an advanced DoubleVPN feature. The advanced feature gives your traffic protection twice as strong. You can’t go wrong with such a level of encryption. NordVPN offers the most robust protocols in the business in conjunction with DNS leak protection. Finally, you get to enjoy the underground works of its ad and malware blocker; while you protect up to six devices simultaneously.

NordVPN is a good choice for watching Japanese TV abroad in general, and also works with plattforms such as Netflix Japan, Amazon Prime Japan and DMM Games.

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

This VPN is the one that stays lowkey but makes it big in the industry due to the top-tier services it renders. Surfshark might not be as big a name as the ExpressVPNs and the NordVPNs, but those that know Surfshark know the full extent of its capabilities. From the basics, this VPN provider offers 3,500+ servers around the world. It also has servers in Japan, and they prove to deliver ultra-fast speed in connection.

Surfshark bids for you to be untouchable while you surf the dTV platform. To that effect, it bypasses geo-restrictions and gives you access to any content of your choice as long as you’re connected to one of its Japanese servers. Surfshark eliminates video buffering and offers unlimited bandwidth to deliver you a seamless stream.

This VPN service makes a big deal of anonymity for you. It operates a no-log policy system so that whatever you do online remains your business. Also, it uses a kill switch with the intention of giving you the best invisible mode possible while you stream on dTV.

This VPN has a fantastic set of security features closely knitted to give a highly secure connection endpoint.

Surfshark implements the use of military-grade encryption to cement data integrity and secure your connection against hacking attempts. This VPN provider has a MultiHop technology that routes your traffic data through two or more servers. It also has a Whitelister, which is a split tunneling feature and allows unlimited simultaneous device connections.

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

CyberGhost is the icing on the cake, a perfect all-rounder— simple and sweet. It is a top-class VPN service, yet it is extremely easy to navigate and relatively cheap to subscribe to. This VPN provider has a whopping count of over 7,000 servers spread across the world; 71 of those servers dedicate Japanese IP addresses. The VPN service is high-speed, secure, and great with unblocking geo-restricted content.

The ability of this VPN to go past regional censors and deliver a smooth streaming experience calls for a standing ovation. CyberGhost sieves out Internet Service Provider (ISP) throttling and unnecessary service buffering to deliver your desired result on dTV. Despite all that, you still get unlimited bandwidth. 

As an all-rounder, CyberGhost is all about privacy too. The VPN company does not keep records of users’ online activities and timestamps. With that policy, even if their database gets compromised in the future, your privacy will remain guaranteed. Also, it uses a kill switch, just as expected of a premium VPN. The kill switch ensures that data transmission halts the very moment you lose connection with the VPN server.

This VPN makes it all about you as it uses the fastest and most secure VPN protocols in the market— OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard®. CyberGhost also provides the services of DNS and IP leak protection. To cap the protocol and leak protection features, it uses 256-bit AES, the most secure encryption detail available. With this VPN, you can connect and stream dTV abroad on up to seven devices at a time.

Best VPN with a Free Version

ProtonVPN

Overall score: 9.0

• Free version available
• Strong security features
• Reliable no-logs policy
• Allows Perfect Forward Secrecy

Visit ProtonVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

ProtonVPN is a Swiss-based VPN whose stronghold is privacy. However, ProtonVPN does impressively well in bypassing geo-censors and delivering flawless streaming services. This VPN dedicates 23 of its 1,000+ worldwide servers to Japan, so it’s not difficult to see why this VPN makes the list.

To stream dTV with ProtonVPN, you have to connect to any of its streaming-based servers. This VPN provider has certain servers optimized basically to raise your streaming experience to the peak. Those servers are available only to the VPN’s Plus and Visionary subscribers. The good thing is, the price tags on the Plus and Visionary plans are not extravagant. Also, you get unlimited bandwidth of data.

Switzerland has a very clear stand on internet users’ privacy in the country— DO NOT INTRUDE. The government does not put any company (including ProtonVPN) under the obligation to keep records of their customers’ online activities. The Swiss privacy laws help ProtonVPN stand by their word of “not keeping data logs”. Also, the VPN has a kill switch and an Always-On feature. The latter enables you to maintain a stable and steady connection, preventing a drop in the VPN connection.

In the advancement of security, this VPN operates a policy that keeps your data encrypted even if the encryption key gets hacked in the future. ProtonVPN uses only the VPN protocols that are entirely secure in combination with military-grade encryption. You also get to connect a maximum of ten devices to one Plus or Visionary subscription.

Is it Legal to Use a VPN to Watch dTV?

VPNs are legal in many countries, including Germany, Canada, the US, Netherlands, and Japan, amongst others. However, VPNs are banned in countries like China, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Iraq, Turkey, UAE, and Oman. So, the legality of a VPN for dTV largely depends on the country you’re in.

With VPNs, the reason for use is what justifies the usage. If you use a VPN to engage in illegal activities (like trading unlawful substances and defrauding people), it doesn’t change the fact that the act was illegal. If you get caught, regardless of using a VPN or not, you will get prosecuted. A VPN does not protect you from facing the law if you have broken it.

Furthermore, not all VPN providers can be trusted because some are cunning, especially free VPNs. They may be willing to sell you out to the government or even hackers, as long as they make money from it. On the brighter side, we thoroughly recommend any of the five VPNs in this guide. It’s safe to use them for dTV if you’re in a country that allows it.

How to Choose a Good VPN for dTV 

Even though all the VPNs in this guide are the best of the best, they still have their characteristic differences in details. For that reason, it is totally up to a potential VPN user to evaluate the feature he wants to prioritize and look for the VPN that matches its description. 

This section highlights the essential features to look out for and what questions a VPN should answer to help you and everyone else make an informed decision.

• VPN-Device compatibility: Does the VPN have software for your device?
• Server(s) in Japan: Does it have servers in Japan?
• Connection speed and streaming quality: How fast are the servers? Do I have to worry about buffering?
• Bandwidth limit: Is there a limit to how much I can download or upload daily?
• Privacy and Security features: Will this VPN leave my footprints on the web or clear it for me?
• Advanced features: What are the unique features peculiar to this VPN provider?
• Price and money-back guarantee: Is the subscription expensive? Does it have a money-back guarantee policy?

It is important to note that without a money-back guarantee, you’ll be taking a huge risk because the VPN might flop. With the policy, you can be sure you can request a refund if you’re not satisfied with the VPN service. All the five VPNs in this review have money-back guarantee policies.

How to Unblock dTV Outside Japan with a VPN

Like most streaming platforms, dTV enforces its geo-restriction through IP addresses. Its system scans users’ IP addresses and blocks unauthorized users. This means that only Japanese IP addresses are granted access.

So, if you want to unblock the platform abroad, you need to connect to a VPN server in Japan for a new IP address. This new Japanese IP address will spoof your location, so dTV’s servers will think you’re in Japan.

How to Set up and Use a VPN to Watch dTV Outside Japan

Thankfully, it’s easy to set up a VPN to enjoy dTV abroad. You don’t even need to be a tech expert. You could simply follow these steps to get started:

Choose a VPN Provider and Subscribe

First off, you need to decide what VPN you’ll use. There are so many options online, but you only need to focus on the best ones like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. These providers offer the best quality of service you need for dTV and other online activities.

Once you choose, create an account and subscribe to a VPN plan. Providers offer different options to cater to varying needs, so you can select the one that suits you.

Download and Install the VPN App

After setting up your account, the next step is to install the VPN client app on your device. There are usually download links on VPN providers’ sites for you to select the compatible version for your device. Alternatively, you can install the VPN app directly from your device’s app store.

Connect to a Server in Japan

With your VPN installed, you’re almost done setting it up for dTV. Next, you’ll have to connect to an available VPN server in Japan. So, the VPN provider you choose must have one or more servers in the country.

Watch dTV

Once you’re connected to a server in Japan, you can now return to dTV and stream videos from anywhere you are without restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions on Watching dTV Outside Japan

Can I use a free VPN to watch dTV outside Japan?

Yes. There’s nothing wrong with using a free VPN to watch dTV outside Japan. That being said, the limitations of free VPNs do not give us room to recommend them. Firstly, there is the issue of safety. There have been cases where bad actors use free VPNs to infect devices with malware. Apart from safety, free VPNs limit servers you can use. There’s no point using a VPN if it has no servers in Japan. Finally, free VPNs usually have download and bandwidth limits. So, it is better to use a premium VPN than a free VPN. 

What’s stopping me from watching dTV outside Japan without a VPN?

The reason why anyone outside Japan cannot stream dTV is due to licensing rights. Beyond the shores of Japan, copyright laws do not allow dTV to stream content which is why it uses geo-restriction technology to prevent anyone outside Japan from accessing its services. Geo-restriction ensures that only Japanese IP addresses can reach servers hosting dTV content. That way, only someone who lives in Japan or appears to be in Japan can watch dTV. 

Will a VPN reduce the speed of my dTV connection?

Yes, a VPN will reduce the speed of your dTV connection. Due to the overhead that comes with encrypting your data, VPNs will affect your speed. Additionally, connecting to long-distance servers will impact your speed negatively more than servers near your location. However, in most cases, with premium VPNs, you are not likely to notice the reduced speed, except you had a poor connection before connecting to the server.

What’s the best VPN for dTV outside Japan?

We would recommend either ExpressVPN or NordVPN for watching dTV outside Japan. ExpressVPN is currently the best VPN service out there, but NordVPN is a strong contender for that position. However, ExpressVPN’s continuous years of getting past geo-restrictions, providing adequate security, ensuring users stay anonymous, and delivering a pleasurable experience gives it an edge over NordVPN. Both of them are excellent VPNs, but ExpressVPN is better. 

Can I sign up for dTV outside Japan?

Yes, you can sign up for dTV outside Japan. However, as long as you don’t connect to a VPN service, you cannot watch movies or series in its catalog. We have already explained why in one of the questions above.

Conclusion

Regardless of where you’re trying to watch the movies from, you should not be robbed of the top content on dTV. As long as you get a quality VPN service, you will not have any cause to miss your favorites on dTV. Also, moving your privacy to the next level comes by smoothly. Register and install any of the VPNs discussed above to get the best of all.