The moment you leave Japan, services you used every day stop working. TVer, ABEMA, radiko — "This service is not available in your region." If you are living or traveling abroad, this message gets old fast.
This article covers what gets blocked, why, and how to fix it. I will also be upfront about the cases where a VPN alone is not enough, like radiko's GPS check and banking procedures.
Why Japanese Websites Block You Overseas
The reason is geo-blocking. Web services check your IP address to determine your country and block access from outside Japan.
Why do they do this? Three main reasons.
Licensing and broadcasting rights. Services like TVer and ABEMA only hold broadcasting licenses for Japan. Streaming outside Japan would violate their agreements with rights holders.
Financial regulations. Banks and brokerages apply geographic restrictions to comply with local financial regulations and anti-money laundering requirements.
Limited service scope. Some services simply do not provide support or infrastructure for international users.
Services That Are Geo-Blocked
Here is a category-by-category breakdown of what you can and cannot access from abroad.
Video Streaming
| Service | Access from abroad | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TVer | Blocked | Japan-only |
| ABEMA | Partial | Restrictions vary by country and title (not free vs premium) |
| U-NEXT | Blocked | Previously downloaded content may play offline |
| dAnime Store | Blocked | Japan-only |
| NHK Plus | Blocked | NHK WORLD JAPAN (English) works worldwide |
| Hulu Japan | Blocked | Separate from US Hulu |
| FOD Premium | Blocked | Japan-only |
Radio and Music
| Service | Access from abroad | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| radiko | Blocked | VPN alone is not enough (details below) |
| Spotify | Partial | Only Japan-exclusive content is restricted |
Banking
| Service | Access from abroad | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MUFG Bank | Conditional | "Global Direct" pre-registration recommended (¥300/mo) |
| SMBC | Conditional | "Global Service" — apply 3 weeks before departure |
| Rakuten Bank | Account closure required | Non-residents must close accounts |
| SBI Securities | Partial | Non-residents face trading restrictions |
| Sony Bank | OK | Account maintained after relocation |
Other
| Service | Access from abroad |
|---|---|
| Yahoo Shopping / Rakuten Ichiba | Mostly OK (some payment restrictions) |
| LINE Manga / Comic Seymour | Geo-restricted |
| PayPay and other cashless apps | Limited overseas |
How a VPN Solves This
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your traffic through a server in Japan. Even though you are abroad, websites see a Japanese IP address and let you in.
The process is straightforward.
- Connect to a Japanese VPN server
- All your traffic now routes through that server
- Websites see a Japanese IP address
- Geo-blocks are bypassed
Your traffic is also encrypted, which protects you on local networks. If you use public WiFi abroad, a VPN doubles as a security measure. See our public WiFi safety guide for details.
Setting Up NordVPN for Japan
I recommend NordVPN because it has over 130 servers in Japan and works reliably with major services like TVer, ABEMA, and U-NEXT.
Step 1: Install the App
Create an account at the NordVPN website and download the app for your device. Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux are all supported.
Step 2: Connect to a Japan Server
Open the app, select Japan from the server list, and connect. The app automatically picks the fastest available server.
Step 3: Access the Service
While connected to the VPN, visit TVer, ABEMA, or any other geo-blocked service. It will work as if you were in Japan.
Is the Speed Good Enough
NordVPN uses the NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based), which minimizes speed loss. Full HD streaming works without issues. That said, latency increases with physical distance between your location and Japan. From Europe or South America, you may experience some buffering during peak hours.
Cases Where a VPN Is Not Enough
A VPN does not solve everything. These cases require additional steps.
radiko (GPS Location Check)
radiko checks not only your IP address but also your smartphone's GPS location. Even with a Japanese IP via VPN, if your GPS reports a foreign location, you get blocked.
Workaround: Access radiko from a PC browser. PCs do not have GPS, so a VPN alone is sufficient. On smartphones, you can manually spoof browser location settings, but the process is unreliable.
Online Banking (Pre-Registration Required)
Banks like MUFG and SMBC require pre-registration for overseas access. Using a VPN might work technically, but logging in from an unusual IP address may trigger fraud detection and lock your account.
Workaround: Complete the overseas access registration before leaving Japan. MUFG's "Global Direct" and SMBC's "Global Service" provide official overseas access. Use a VPN as a supplement, not the primary method.
VPN-Restricted Countries
In countries like China and Russia, VPN connections can be unstable or blocked. NordVPN offers obfuscated servers designed to bypass VPN restrictions, but 100% reliability is not guaranteed.
Legal Risks You Should Understand
Let me clarify the legal landscape around VPN use.
VPN Use Is Legal in Japan
Using a VPN in Japan is completely legal. The government recommends VPNs for privacy and security. You will not face legal consequences for using one.
Terms of Service Considerations
However, some services address VPN use in their terms. TVer and other streaming platforms may state that "access via VPN/proxy is not supported." In theory, this could lead to account suspension.
In practice, reports of individual users being banned for VPN use are extremely rare. Services typically respond by blocking known VPN IP addresses rather than punishing individual users.
VPN-Restricted Countries
Some countries restrict VPN use entirely.
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| China | Only government-approved VPNs. Fines reported |
| Russia | Unauthorized VPN services banned |
| UAE | VPN use for criminal purposes prohibited. Heavy fines possible |
| Iran / North Korea | Fully restricted |
If traveling to these countries, install your VPN app before departure. Local app stores may not offer VPN apps.
Wrapping Up
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Install NordVPN | Before departure |
| Set up all devices | Before departure |
| Register for overseas banking access | 3 weeks before departure |
| Switch radiko to PC browser | At destination |
| Check VPN legality at destination | When planning travel |
Most Japanese service access problems are solved with a VPN. NordVPN has reliable Japan servers and works with major streaming services. But do not forget the steps a VPN cannot cover — banking pre-registration and radiko's GPS limitation. Run through this checklist before your trip, and you will have the same access abroad as you do at home.