How to Watch Niconico Outside Japan: Unblock Niconico Fast

Niconico is a web-based Japanese video sharing platform. It is owned by Dwango and is the surest site to find trending videos in  Japan. It is arguably the most visited Japanese site. Niconico is so popular that people from other parts of the world are interested in getting a share of the entertainment the Japanese platform offers. However, the site is geo-blocked and cannot be accessed outside Japan. 

The way geo-blocking works is simple. Everyone using the internet has an IP address. This IP address can be used to track your location. For a site like Niconico, it can detect your location and stop you from accessing its content since you are outside Japan. Usually, streaming sites geo-block their content because they only have the rights to air them in a particular country. The good news is: you can bypass this geo-restriction by using a VPN. 

How to Watch Niconico With a VPN

A VPN allows you to access the internet via an encrypted server, which makes it impossible for your activity to be traced back to you. This server is usually in a different location other than your real location. VPNs also bypass geo-restrictions. In the case of a site like Niconico, you use a Japanese server to access the site from wherever you are outside Japan. The site would read that server’s address as yours and grant you access to the site. Simply follow the steps below:

1. Download a VPN and register
2. Select a server in the country you want to access (Japan in this case) 
3. Now, go to your browser and try to access the Niconico website. You will discover that you can access the site and all its content. 

Top VPNs for Watching Niconico Outside Japan

Choosing a VPN can be very dicey as there are so many brands and names out there claiming to be ultimate. However, not every VPN can access Niconico. We have taken the time to test many VPNs and have come up with the best VPNs you can use to access content on Niconico from wherever you are in the world. 

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!

If there were a king among VPNs, then it is ExpressVPN. This premium VPN offers the best of services available. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, a country with no stringent laws on data and privacy. This makes it easy for them to operate.  It has a server coverage of over 3000 servers in 94 countries. Its servers are fast and offer a reliable connection.

It’s unblocking prowess is topnotch. With it, you can unblock and watch all your favorite content on Niconico. It offers excellent speed and unlimited bandwidth, which are necessities for a great streaming experience. 

ExpressVPN also offers excellent security and privacy. It combines the AES-256 (which is the best encryption technology in the world) along with a powerful kill switch. This creates an impregnable security system that keeps your data safe from your ISP, hackers, or any other organization seeking access to your data.  For privacy, it offers a no-log policy. This means that ExpressVPN doesn’t keep a record of the data you generate when using the Internet. So they cannot even provide it if anyone was to demand. 

Another intriguing advantage of using ExpressVPN is its device support. It has dedicated apps for all major platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also allows a total of 5 devices to log in simultaneously using one account. 

For plans and pricing, ExpressVPN is expensive but worth every penny spent. Its best plan is the 1-year plan, which starts at $8.32. Its monthly plan costs $12.95. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. 

ExpressVPN is also a good choice for watching Japanese TV overseas in general, letting you access shows such as GYAO or AbemaTV:

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 a household name in the VPN world. Its many years of excellent service has earned it a top spot in the premium cadre of VPNs. It is based in Panama, a country with stringent data laws. NordVPN offers comprehensive server coverage totaling 5000+ servers in 59 different countries worldwide. Its servers provide robust and fast connection. 

NordVPN equally offers great streaming and unblocking capabilities. With any of the 80 servers in Japan, you can unblock Niconico and access it from anywhere in the world. It also offers unlimited bandwidth and blistering speed, making your streaming process a delight. 

NordVPN also offers excellent security and privacy. It uses AES-256 along with a potent Kill Switch creating an airtight security system. For privacy, it offers a No-Log policy, which means it keeps no record of your data. 

When it comes to device support, NordVPN offers dedicated apps for all major platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it available to use on all various platforms with ease. It allows a total of 6 devices to log in at the same time via one account. This means you can stream Niconico on up to 6 of your preferred devices using NordVPN. 

NordVPN offers a fabulous bouquet. It’s best plan is the 2-year plan, which starts at $3.71. Its other plans include the 1-year plan, which starts at $4.92, and the monthly plan, which costs $11.95 monthly. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN is also a good choice for watching shows such as Netflix Japan and Amazon Prime Video Japan overseas.

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!

Although it’s relatively new to the market, Surfshark has successfully earned a spot for itself on the top. It’s user friendly and great for both new and old-time VPN users. It offers a server coverage of over 1700 servers in 63 countries. Its servers are robust and reliable. 

It is also an efficient choice for unblocking content around the web. With Surfshark, you can overcome Niconico’s geo-restriction and access the content available on the platform. It also offers blazing fast speed and unlimited bandwidth, which make for a wonderful streaming session. 

Surfshark offers top-notch security and privacy to its users. It uses the renowned AES 256 encryption along with a kill switch and other security features to keep your data safe from all web snoopers. It also offers a No-Log policy, which means that it keeps no record of your data. 

Surfshark equally offers generous device support covering all the major device platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This means you can use Surfshark on various devices. One of the most remarkable features about Surfshark is that it places no limit on the number of devices that can log in simultaneously using one account. 

For plans and pricing, Surfshark offers one of the cheapest options. Its best plan is the 2-year plan, which starts at $2.49. Other plans are the 6-month plan, which starts at $6.49, and its monthly plan costs $12.95. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark is also a good choice for watching shows such as dTV and TVer overseas.

Offers the best money-back guarantee

CyberGhost

Overall score: 9.3

• 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 one of the oldest names in the VPN business. Its doggedness has earned it a safe spot on the top-tier of VPNs. The company is based in Romania, far away from all of the privacy drama in the 5-Eye and 14-Eye nations. It has one of the most extensive server coverages on the top-tier. Its 6000+ servers are spread across over 88 countries. Its servers offer excellent connectivity making it easy to use its services wherever you are in the world. 

CyberGhost is an excellent choice for Streaming Niconico as it can bypass its geo-restrictions and grant access to all the fun content within. It also offers unlimited bandwidth and blistering speed for streaming. 

For security and privacy, CyberGhost offers excellent services. It uses the AES-256 along with the Kill Switch to provide maximum protection for its users. It also offers a No-Log policy, which means that it keeps no record of your data. 

CyberGhost offers great device support. It has dedicated apps for all major device platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also allows a total of 7 devices to log in simultaneously using one account. 

CyberGhost offers the cheapest plans with its best plan as the 3-year plan, which starts at $2.25. This plan has a 45-day money-back guarantee. The 2-year plan starts at $3.49. The 1-year plan starts at $3.99 while the monthly plan costs $12.99 monthly. 

Best VPN with a Free Version

ProtonVPN

Overall score: 9.4

• 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 that prides itself on the strong security system it offers. They have a total of 1060 servers spread across 54 countries, 23 of them located in Japan. These servers offer a secure and robust connection. 

ProtonVPN is a great choice for streaming. It has excellent unblocking prowess, which can aid you in bypassing geo-restrictions. With ProtonVPN, you can get access to all of Niconico’s content. It also offers unlimited bandwidth at blistering speed. 

ProtonVPN equally offers top-notch security and privacy. Its base is in a former military location where its servers are guarded physically. For encryption, it uses AES-256, which is the best in the world. It also uses a Kill Switch; all of this creates an impenetrable security system. 

ProtonVPN also has great device support. It has dedicated apps for all major device platforms including, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This means you can watch Niconico across all your devices using ProtonVPN. It also allows up to 10 devices to log in simultaneously using a single account. 

For plans and pricing, ProtonVPN’s best plan is the Plus plan, which starts at $8 per month. A bi-annual subscription lets you save up to 33% on a subscription. All its plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

What Are the Qualities to Look Out for in a VPN for Niconico? 

To distinguish a good VPN for Niconico from the bunch, there are certain qualities a VPN should possess: 

1. Server Coverage

A good VPN must have great server coverage. It must also have servers in the area of your interest, Japan in this case. If you choose a VPN that doesn’t have a server in your location of interest, you would be unable to access any content you wish to. All of our recommended VPNs have servers in Japan. 

2. Security and Privacy 

This is one critical quality of a good VPN. Nobody wants to stream while their data is being mined by hackers or sold to the highest bidder. All the VPNs we recommended offer excellent security and privacy. They use the best encryption, along with the best protocols. They also use a Kill switch. These VPNs offer a No-Log policy, which means they keep no record of your data. Our recommended VPNs would provide you with the best of security and privacy. 

3. Streaming and Unblocking Prowess

A good VPN must be excellent for streaming. This means that it must offer a strong connection, blistering speed, and unlimited bandwidth. These three are necessities for a hitch-free streaming experience. Another essential consideration is unblocking prowess. A good VPN must seamlessly bypass geo-restrictions and get access to exclusive content on streaming sites like Niconico. All our recommended VPNs offer all these and are a great choice for streaming. 

4. Speed

Any quality VPN must boast of blazing fast speed. If it’s not fast, your streaming experience along with other internet activities will be quite frustrating. You will have to deal with lagging and buffering, slowing down your pace online. To avoid this, go for a VPN that promises super-fast speed when connected to their servers. 

5. Pricing

A good VPN should be affordable and worth the features that it offers. Avoid any VPN that has very expensive pricing plans with no features to show for it. The VPNs listed above are averagely priced and have great features to back up their prices. All the VPNs also come with a money-back guarantee. This means that you can request for your money back after a certain period if you feel the services don’t meet your needs. 

Can I use a VPN to watch Niconico in China?

Yes, you can use a VPN to watch Niconico in China. However, it depends on the quality of the service you’re using. China has a formidable firewall known as the “The Great Firewall of China,” blocking websites, streaming platforms, and even VPN connections.

So, suppose you want to stream videos on Niconico in China. In that case, you need a top-tier service like ExpressVPN that provides excellent unblocking abilities and can bypass tough geo-blocks like the one on Chinese cyberspace. These VPN providers also offer obfuscated servers that make VPN connections appear like regular traffic. This is essential in China, where there’s a sort of ban on VPNs.

The Chinese government doesn’t outrightly ban VPNs, but VPN providers’ websites are barred. Also, you won’t find VPN apps on Android and Apple app stores. This makes it tough to get your hands on a VPN in China, but as we said, if you find an outstanding service like ExpressVPN, you’ll be able to enjoy Niconico in China.

Does Niconico Allow VPN connections?

According to Niconico’s policy, it isn’t allowed to use a VPN to watch videos. However, this doesn’t mean that your account will be barred from the platform. Instead, when the platform’s server discovers you’re using a VPN-provided IP address, the address gets blacklisted, and the geo-restriction goes back in place. This usually occurs if you’re using a VPN with weak unblocking skills or a blacklisted IP address that many other users share.

If Niconico blocks your IP address, you can change servers to regain access. However, this isn’t always convenient, especially when you have few Japanese servers. Alternatively, you can connect to an obfuscated server to avoid being detected altogether. Not every VPN provider you come across has such servers, so ensure you confirm before connecting.

Frequently Asked Questions on Watching Niconico Outside Japan

What is the best VPN I can use to watch Niconico outside Japan?

ExpressVPN is hands down the best VPN you can use to watch Niconico outside Japan. First of all, its ability to bypass geo-restrictions on several sites, including Niconico, is because of its extensive and sophisticated server network. Secondly, its security and privacy components protect you from unwanted intrusion by the government or malicious entities. Additionally, it is cross-platform compatible; ExpressVPN will most likely work on any device you own. Finally, its support team is always available and ready to solve any issues you might have watching Niconico outside Japan. 

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

Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch Niconico outside Japan. However, it is important to know that we do not endorse using free VPNs. This is because of issues you are likely to encounter using a free VPN to watch Niconico outside Japan. There have been free VPNs with malicious components. In addition, most free VPNs will only allow access to some countries and cannot have the unblocking prowess premium VPNs do. Furthermore, they have limits and can sell your data to the highest bidder. 

Will a VPN reduce the quality of videos on Niconico?

In most cases, a premium VPN will not reduce the video quality of content you watch on Niconico. Usually, VPNs affect your speed because of the overhead required to ensure your data is safe. However, premium VPNs use some of the fastest protocols and do everything in their power to ensure the speed reduction is unnoticeable. In some cases, such as bandwidth throttling, using a VPN can increase your connection speed. So, as long as your connection rate before using a VPN surpasses the required rate for the quality of the video you intend to watch, you will most likely have no problems with premium VPNs.

Is it safe to watch Niconico outside Japan with a VPN?

Yes, a VPN secures your internet connection if you use it to watch Niconico outside Japan. VPNs use some of the most secure protocols available, such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, NordLynx, etc. In addition, they provide end-to-end encryption with an impenetrable 256-bit encryption cipher. Furthermore, VPNs have other security and privacy features such as zero-logging, double VPN (double encryption), Tor over VPN, etc.

Conclusion 

Watching Niconico from wherever you are in the world is possible. All you need to do is choose from our list of VPNs and connect to any of its Japanese servers. Once you can do this, you are on your way to streaming all the top content Niconico has to offer. No geo-restriction can stop you now. You can stream happily for as long as you want.