How to Watch Wowow Outside Japan (Super Easy With a VPN)

Wowow is a famous private satellite broadcasting pay-TV in Japan. This Tokyo-based TV station has three HD (High-Definition) channels — Wowow Prime, Wowow Live, Wowow Cinema. The only issue is that you have to be in Japan to watch your beloved shows on these stations. 

Wowow has the license and rights to only broadcast in Japan. If they allow people outside Japan access to their services, they will be breaking the law, which could lead to some repercussions. How do they know you’re outside the country? With the help of a technology called geolocation. With this technology, websites and services know which country you are viewing their programs from.

How to Watch Wowow Outside Japan With a VPN

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the solution to watching Wowow outside Japan. With VPNs, your devices will appear as if they are in Japan. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long as you have access to a VPN. To watch Wowow outside Japan with a VPN, follow these steps:

1. Download the VPN application from the provider’s site. 
2. Connect to a Japanese server; your device uses that server’s IP address for any activity you do on the internet. 
3. Go on to your streaming platform to watch Wowow without any issues with geo-restriction. 

The Best VPNs to Watch Wowow in Japan

Many VPN service providers have servers in Japan that can bypass the geo-restriction that denies you access to your favorite shows on Wowow. We have picked the best five to ease your selection. 

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 is a top household name when it comes to VPNs. With exceptional service over the years, it has risen in popularity to become one of the best VPN service providers out there.

With ExpressVPN, you don’t have to worry about security and privacy. It’s based in the British Virgin Island, far away from the 14-Eye Surveillance. Therefore, it is under no government’s obligation to retain or track your personal internet information. The provider is committed to protecting your data with a strict No-Log policy to back up its claim. It uses AES-256 encryption to prevent malicious entities from eavesdropping on the network and manipulating or stealing your data. 

A stash of over 3000 servers in 94 countries ensures there is appropriate representation in every continent except Antarctica. Servers in Tokyo and Yokohama give you the luxury of choice, allowing you to find the best server you’ll need to watch Wowow outside Japan. This also makes ExpressVPN a good choice for watching Japanese TV shows abroad in general, with similar shows such as GYAO or TVer.

A reputation for being at the top tier of the fastest VPN service providers means that you should have no worries streaming without lags. You can also download torrent files without experiencing any significant problems. 

ExpressVPN’s monthly subscription plan is marginally higher than average, but for its comprehensive features, you get value for your money. You can connect up to five simultaneous devices with one account, so you stay protected all-round. Although there is no free trial, you have a 30-day money-back assurance if you ever think the service is not satisfactory enough.  

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 outstanding VPN service provider you can use. 

It uses the industry-standard AES-256 to protect data in transit. With the resources the world has at its disposal, it is impossible to break this encryption. With IP masking, your actual location is secure, and no one can trace you. No government can also request your internet activity with its No-Log Policy. 

It has other security features like its DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a Kill Switch attribute, and Double VPN servers for an added security layer. 

There are over 5400 NordVPN servers in 59 countries. It has an impressive 80 plus servers in Japan; any of these will give you immediate access to Wowow even when you’re out of Japan. They even have specialty servers optimized for particular purposes like P2P file sharing and DoubleVPN, among others.

NordVPN’s server speeds give you peace of mind. You don’t have to be concerned about slow network connection or time lost due to buffering. It has a Quick Connect feature that connects you to the fastest server available. More servers in Japan means reduced or no congestion on its servers, resulting in faster connections, which is excellent for streaming Wowow. 

It is very affordable compared to most leading VPN vendors, especially on more extended subscriptions. NordVPN offers mouth-watering discounts on annual and biennial plans. You also have a risk-free 30-day period, where you can ask for a refund if you’re not pleased with the service. A single subscription covers six devices. Its applications and browser extensions are compatible with most major platforms.

NordVPN is also a good choice for watching similar streaming plattforms abroad, such as Japanese Netflix or Japanese Hulu.

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

Third on our list is Surfshark. A new VPN service provider that is fastly moving to the top. Surfshark took home the Best Newcomer VPN award in 2019 and is one of the best cheap VPNs.

Your network is impregnable with AES-256 encryption to keep bad actors away from your data. It also has the popular Kill Switch feature and DNS leak protection. Multi-Hop (Double VPN) servers give you twice the defense if one layer is exposed. CleanWeb is a feature that is both anti-ads and anti-malware. You can be sure that ads are blocked, and you’re guarded against mischievous software and applications. 

Its extensive network comprises over 3200 servers in 65 countries, with a decent number in Japan. It’s unblocking power is excellent, as you will have no issues trying to face the geo-restrictions placed on websites. Torrenting will also work hitch-free, as P2P (Peer-to-Peer) sharing works on all servers.

In terms of speed, it is one of the quickest. Despite being relatively new, it is giving the top VPNs tough competition. It boasts of swiftness that will make you enjoy watching shows on Wowow without a single concern. With Surfshark, zero buffering is here to stay.

Subscription prices look like a bargain when compared to its features and other VPNs. Unlike other VPN service providers, the number of devices you can use simultaneously with a user account is limitless. You can put it to the test with a 30-day refund policy.

Surfshark will be a good choice for watching Japanese shows abroad in general. If you for example want to access AbemaTV in China or dTV in the US, Surfshark will work fine.

Easiest to use based on our tests

UltraVPN

Overall score: 0

• Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Cheap subscription plan. Starting at $6.99, save 22%

Visit UltraVPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

UltraVPN is another relatively new VPN service provider. It has a reputation for speed and maximum privacy at much lower prices. Its No-Log Policy means that it doesn’t keep any information on what you do on the internet. The famous secure AES-256 is used for encryption. It also uses OpenVPN, which is the most secure protocol for VPNs. A Kill Switch (they call it “The Firewall”) feature automatically stops your connection if the VPN is not functioning as it should.

It’s 100+ servers in 55 countries may not look impressive compared to the other VPNs on this list, but this VPN service provider’s performance will make you ignore that. The quality of the service you get while streaming is more than sufficient for you. Their servers work fine with most streaming services, including those in Japan. 

It is a quick and dependable VPN. You can barely notice the time it takes to connect. Reliable speed allows you to watch Wowow broadcasts without any buffering or lagging. With this VPN, you can get the highest quality video while watching Wowow. 

UltraVPN is cheap. It costs way less than the top VPNs and even offers sweet discounts on it’s yearly and six-month plan. For reasonable prices, you enjoy quality service and all the beautiful features it has. It also supports most, if not all, the significant devices— Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and browser extensions. 

There is the usual 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can use risk-free to see if the service meets your expectation.

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 Romania-based VPN service provider has been around for about nine years. 

Headquartered in Romania, where there are no data retention laws, your privacy is guaranteed. They have a strict No-Log Policy that ensures they don’t store your internet traffic and data. Your data in transit is encrypted with the unbeatable 256-bit AES. Anyone who tries to hack into your data will fail woefully. A component called Perfect Forward Secrecy routinely changes your encryption keys to ensure absolute security. 

Over 6,000 servers in 88 countries is an extensive amount of servers. If you think that’s impressive, then you’re right. 71 of those servers are in Japan. That is an ample amount of servers to eliminate the geo-restriction obstacle you face when you try to watch Wowow programs. 

CyberGhost servers support various streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime. They devote particular emphasis to making sure these servers use premium hardware. So you know you will enjoy a stress-free encounter using them to stream Wowow channels. 

This VPN is compatible with several operating systems like Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. It can also be manually installed on routers. Pricing plans are fair and affordable. With heavy discounts on lengthy plans, you can save on annual and biennial subscription plans. A 45-day (for extended plans) and 14-day (for its monthly plan) risk-free refund policy allows you to examine your choice and request a refund if you don’t like the VPN. 

Is It Legal to Use a VPN to Watch Wowow?

The legality of VPNs is subject to the country you are in and its laws. In most countries, VPNs are legal, and you can use them for your privacy, but that does not give you the right to break the law because you have anonymity. There are countries where operating a VPN is illegal, and if they catch you, there will be consequences. China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are examples of countries that restrict the use of VPNs.

Businesses, private organizations, and even governments use VPNs to keep their communications confidential. Be sure to check the legal conditions of using a VPN in the country you are residing in.

Even though it is lawful to stream with a VPN, some platforms don’t welcome the use of a VPN. Netflix is a famous example. This international streaming company is continually taking steps to stop VPN usage. They can disable access if they discover that you are connecting to their platform using a VPN. For example, if you are in the USA and want access to Japanese Netflix, you can use a VPN. If you use a VPN discovered by Netflix, it will revoke access to its Japanese libraries. The moment you switch off your VPN, it will redirect you to its USA libraries. 

Streaming Wowow with a VPN is entirely legal if you are in a country that allows the use of VPNs. Remember this; if any activity is forbidden by law before using a VPN, it will still be when you use a VPN. 

Is it Safe to Use a VPN to Watch Wowow Outside Japan?

Yes, most paid VPNs are safe to use. They keep you anonymous, protect your privacy, and ensure you have the best security for safe passage on the internet. We cannot say the same for free VPNs. You will most likely encounter several problems using a free VPN service. Some of them include insufficient servers, lack of appropriate security protocols, and poor service. We do not advise that you use them, but if you cannot afford to pay for a VPN, here are some things to look out for when using free VPNs. 

Security and Privacy: What is the point of using a VPN if you cannot be kept safe from malicious people? Make sure to do proper research to ensure that your free VPN service provider uses secure protocols to keep your data safe. Also, check out their privacy policy or if they are obligated to store your internet history. If they are, chances are you are not entirely safe from authorities requesting your data. 

Speed: We’re sure that you don’t want unsolicited breaks when watching your favorite show on Wowow because of slow connections. Nobody likes to experience constant lags and buffering. 

Server Location: Free VPNs cannot guarantee that they have servers in Japan. Most free VPNs are poorly funded and cannot afford to keep premium equipment in several locations. If you wish to use a free VPN, be sure to choose one that has Japanese servers.

Why is Wowow blocked outside Japan?

Wowow is only accessible in Japan because the company only has the licensing rights to provide their movies and shows to people in the country. So, to ensure that only people in Japan can watch Wowow, the platform imposes geo-restrictions to block out people trying to visit the platform overseas. 

These geo-restrictions are very effective because they screen for IP addresses. So, if the system discovers that you’re not trying to watch a video with a non-Japanese IP address, you will be blocked and receive an error message. However, the most effective way to bypass these geo-blocks is to use a reliable top-tier VPN provider.  A VPN makes it easy to access Wowow libraries no matter your location.

A VPN reroutes your data traffic through secure encrypted servers located across the world. When you connect to any of the servers, it cloaks your actual IP address with a new one. This means that when you connect to a VPN server in Japan, you get a Japanese IP address that gives you unlimited access to Wowow as if you are in the country.

What else can you do with a VPN?

Apart from streaming on Wowow, there are many other activities you can do with a VPN. Also, considering the price you pay for subscription plans, it makes sense that you get the best value. A few other areas a VPN can be helpful include protection when you connect to public WiFi in airports, libraries, cafes, and so on, privacy from intrusive Internet Service Providers, and anonymity on other platforms.

Furthermore, you can use a VPN connection to unblock other popular streaming platforms. However, this depends on the quality of the VPN you’re using. As it stands, only premium services can guarantee you access to streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, and BBC iPlayer.

Related: Best VPNs for Remote Workers & Freelancers to Work from Anywhere

FAQs

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

Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch Wowow outside Japan. However, we will always recommend avoiding free VPNs and using premium VPN services. Using a free VPN to watch Wowow outside Japan is a high-risk adventure compared to the low-risk investment you make when you pay for top VPNs. Many free VPN services have issues you want to avoid, such as speed limits, bandwidth limits, poor unblocking prowess, lack of robust security features, and small server networks. So, it is in your interest to dip your hands into your pocket for top VPN services that will give you little or no problems. 

What is the best VPN service for watching Wowow outside Japan?

Without a doubt, ExpressVPN is the best VPN you can use to watch Wowow outside Japan. It has all the requirements and even surpasses them. Its robust server network in Tokyo and Yokohama unblocks many streaming platforms, including Wowow. Apart from the unblocking prowess of its servers in Japan, it also keeps bad actors and snooping governments away from your data. Additionally, ExpressVPN’s support agents are available 24/7 to ensure it leaves its customers satisfied with the service they get. 

How do I use a VPN to watch only Wowow outside Japan?

Using a VPN to watch only Wowow outside Japan requires a popular feature known as Split Tunneling. This feature allows VPN users to separate applications they want the VPN to protect from those they don’t. In this case, all you have to do is configure your VPN service to work on only the browser you use to watch Wowow outside Japan. Another way would be to download the browser extension of the VPN so that the VPN is only active on the browser. 

What impact will a VPN have on my speed if I use it to watch Wowow outside Japan?

In most cases, a VPN will have an insignificant negative impact on your speed. Insignificant because premium VPNs make sure the speed reductions encryption causes are minimal enough to be unnoticeable. In other cases, you can experience a significant or insignificant increase in speed when using a VPN to watch Wowow outside Japan. This increase may occur if you’re a victim of bandwidth throttling and a VPN stops it. So, whether negative or positive, a VPN will always have an impact on your connection rate if you use it to watch Wowow outside Japan.

Conclusion

This article comprehensively shows you how to watch shows on Wowow if you’re outside Japan. There is also adequate knowledge here to help you with the choice of which VPN to use. The next time you come across any geo-restriction issues watching not just Wowow but any streaming program, you know exactly how to bypass it.