How and where to watch Japanese shows with ExpressVPN?

VPN
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I’m having trouble using express vpn to watch Japanese shows on Japanese streaming services. Several months ago, I was able to set up hulu Japan with express vpn for my mom to watch jdrama. Now it seems to be blocked so I decided to give AbemaTV a try after reading some of the reddit posts here… And that doesn’t work for me either. Does anyone know of any other streaming services or just websites that have Japanese shows? My favorite shows are variety show such as 世界の果までイッテQ (sekai no hate made itte Q).

I’m a Japanese american whos parents are from Japan and I want to watch Japanese shows to make sure I don’t forget Japanese. I know of many places I can watch anime but when it comes to variety or drama, it seems like it’s so hard to find! Free would be awesome but I’m willing to pay the monthly subscription if it has everything I want!

Or if someone could tell me if I’m doing it wrong? I just open the ExpressVPN app and connect to Tokyo 2 server and try to watch a video… And it tells me that I’m in a country that can’t access the video :frowning: please halp! Thanks!

2

I am currently using iSakura TV. While it is pricey ($240 for one year), it provides the best viewing experience for Japanese TV. It does not require a VPN, includes two weeks of on-demand TV, and gives you the ability to download shows if you use the web viewer. Video quality is pretty good and it has both local and satellite channels.

I have it installed on my Android TV, so it’s just like watching TV in Japan. You can side load it on an Amazon Fire stick if you don’t have an Android TV device. iSakura won’t load if it detects a Japanese IP address.

So far, it has worked flawlessly. There is a slight lag when switching between channels, but nothing too bad. As of now, there are 98 channels.

I’ve had good luck with TorGuard and a dedicated streaming IP for Netflix and Amazon Japan Prime Video. Amazon Japan Prime Video has just added some HBO shows like the entire Game of Thrones catalog, so it’s been worth it. You can set up different accounts like Netflix, so you and your mother don’t get your shows mixed up.

I haven’t had any luck with Hulu.jp. It’s been like that for some time, so I just gave up. I’ve tried to access it via Express VPN, SmartDNS Proxy, TorGuard with my dedicated IP, NordVPN, and just about any VPN that offers a free trial. It has blocked everything I’ve tried. Of course, this was a few months ago, but I doubt things have changed.

Perhaps it’s overkill, but I set up my Amazon Fire TV stick to stream Japanese content. I am logged on with my Amazon.co.jp account so I can download Japanese apps. I am using SmartDNS proxy for my Fire TV stick, and it is configured to work with Tver.jp and Gyao. I’m not sure if Paravi works, but it should with a VPN. When I watch US content or iSakura TV, I just switch sources to my Android TV.

I have a Disney+ account based in the US, but I haven’t been able to get it to work using the VPN.

Wow, that’s a wealth of information. I hope you find some of it useful. Sorry for being so long-winded. Good luck.

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I use tver and softether vpn(free vpn) at it works well. Also nyaa.si has a lot of the currently arining drama if you search the name in romaji you will be presently surprised!

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I used to go to youtubeowaraitv before. It’s free. It’s not the best because some links are broken or the videos are no longer up. I usually would copy the title and search them on google or bilibili

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I gave up on ExpressVPN since it doesn’t work anymore. I’m using Nord VPN and haven’t had any problems.

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Update March 2021: This no longer works. The apps tell me the videos cannot be found and my google play account’s location is now automatically set to United States :frowning: Bummers…

Hey guys, just wanted to share something that worked for me with ExpressVPN.

I have an Android phone. I created a new Google play account with my VPN on in Japan. Go into the Google play app and tap on the 3 lines (hamburger) on top left > Account > Country and Profiles. It should say “Switch to Japan…” I connected my payment method to paypal. I was stuck on a loading screen but I just restarted the app and saw Japanese apps!

Then I downloaded GYAO and TVer. I was able to play the videos and I started the Smart View from my phone to screencast to my Samsung TV. This was all completely free. No english subtitles though just FYI.

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Wow thanks for the detailed response! Ill check out the options. Maybe I’ll try the torguard and Netflix route first, since it would probably be cheaper than isakura tv.

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$240 per year is the premium package with 98 channels. It is not the only package, and iSakura is not the only IPTV brand. It’s practically a steal for the value. I feel stupid I didn’t get this years ago.

JapanTVNet comparison page:

As you can see, with MujiTV Mini you can get 16 channels for $90 per year.

I believe all the products listed there are offered by the same outfit. ForjoyTV Is not listed there because it’s a separate operation.

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I thought ExpressVPN created an IP in Japan too…? But maybe I’m wrong or misunderstanding. I got a one year subscription with express so I was hoping to use that but I’ll definitely check Netflixvpn out and cancel express! Such a bummer cuz express is always at the top when I google best vpn services to watch Japanese shows :confused:

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Ah my Chinese friend uses bilibili to watch asian shows! I didn’t check for Japanese ones yet.

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Aw good to know. I guess I’ll cancel my express early and hopefully they give me some money back.

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Thanks. I’ve been trying to find the best ways to consume Japanese TV since moving from Japan. TorGuard has been the best of the VPN providers. Now that it supports WireGuard on its Windows app, streaming should be better. They are supposed to add WireGuard support to their Android app, but I don’t know if it will support dedicated IPs. Be sure to use the 50% coupon and add on the dedicated streaming IP. If you are curious about iSakura, you should sign up for their trial. It’s a few bucks for a couple of days, but it will give you an idea of how it is.

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Yes, that’s for the premium package. While there are other cheaper packages, I feel that I might be missing out on content if I stepped down. To each, his own. Choose whatever suits your budget.

I haven’t had much experience with the other providers. I just know that iSakura tends to be more stable, but that was at the time I became a subscriber. The other services could have improved.

I also understand ForJoy TV doesn’t have Fuji テレビ, which means you’d be missing out on one of the major networks.

Thanks for mentioning the other options. I guess it all boils down to whatever suits your budget.

Edit: Wow, I didn’t realize how much some of these providers have improved in the last two years. It might be worth it to look over that chart and reevaluate my subscription.

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ExpressVPN used to work but now doesn’t, so it isn’t because you’re doing something wrong. There are paid subscription services out there - but I think they’re around £30-35 a month, though.

One might be called Sakura TV, but I’m not entirely sure on that.

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It hasnt been difficult at all to find them. You kinda learn how to navigate through the website (I’m on mobile) especially because you can’t download the app (in the US) and you need the app to watch them more videos…but I usually just copy the title and put it into the title and boom, it shows up.