How To Watch American Netflix in Japan

Even though available in almost every corner of the world, Netflix content differs from country to country. Each country has its package, which sometimes makes their libraries completely different.

Netflix launched in Japan in 2015. And, according to recent statistics, it became the biggest Netflix library online ever since. Japan’s Netflix Library is so big that it surpassed even the library of the USA, Netflix’s country of origin.

Despite the vast library, a great deal of most popular Netflix content is restricted to US-only. So even if you can choose between so many titles, that biggest and hottest one is sometimes out of your reach.

If you want to access a US-based Netflix library, you will need to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a Domain Name System (DNS) proxy. This way you can trick Netflix that you are in the US, and not in Japan.

This article will explain what a VPN and DNS is, and how to use it to set it up so you can watch American Netflix from anywhere.

Why Can’t You Watch American Netflix From Japan?

Netflix has a system that tracks your location using your Internet Protocol (IP). This way if you are in Italy, you’ll always have Italian Netflix. If you are in the UK, your package will be UK-based. There is no way that you can change your Netflix package using the software.

However, you can make Netflix believe that you are currently in the US when checking your IP address. The best way to do it is to mask your IP by using smart DNS or VPN service online.

Using DNS to Watch Netflix

Smart DNS is a useful way to mask your IP address just for one or two apps. You can set it up only to work with Netflix while showing your IP to the rest of the internet as usual. This way it will not slow down your internet, and you’ll be able to watch US-based Netflix.

Recently, Netflix started to recognize and block almost all DNS services, so a lot of them stopped working. One of the best smart DNS proxies that work with Netflix is Unlocator. This DNS offers a free trial before you decide to purchase it, so you can test it and see if it works with Netflix.

Using VPN to Watch Netflix

VPN is a service that you can use to mask your real IP address. It’s not only Netflix and certain services that see your IP. Whenever you access a website, your IP address is visible, and anyone can track your online activities. When your online activities are out in the open, specific groups can use them against you.

VPN minimizes the risk of anyone tracking your online activities. At the same time, it enables you to access certain restricted services. For example, you can access US-based Netflix, Pandora, and even YouTube videos that are not available in your country.

Best VPN to Watch American Netflix

To watch US-based Netflix, you need to make your IP address American. You can find a lot of excellent  VPN services online. Some of the best are:

• ExpressVPN – ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN service that offers Netflix support for different devices. On the downside, its price is a bit higher when compared to other similar services. But, if you want reliable VPN at high speed, you should look no further.
• NordVPN – NordVPN performs well and with 2048-bit protection and DNS leak prevention is one of the most secure VPNs out there. You can try a 7-day free trial and see how well it performs before opting to buy.
• IPVanish – A great VPN with good online support but without a free trial. You have a 7-day money back guarantee, and it is a bit cheaper per month than the previous two on the list. It has a lot of servers and unlocks US Netflix without issue. There is constant live support if you encounter any issues.
• VyprVPN – VyprVPN is the cheapest of the bunch and offers a 3-day trial where you can assure yourself that you can enjoy US-based Netflix too. It is supposed to work with all Netflix countries and doesn’t slow down your internet too much.

Don’t Overcommit to a VPN

A lot of VPN services offer great deals if you commit long term. For example, some even offer a 75% discount if you subscribe for three years. While it may sound tempting, you should probably avoid it. Especially if you only intend to watch Netflix with it.

Since Netflix works aggressively to block any VPN that interferes with its regular service, there is a risk that some of the VPN that work well today, will not unlock US-based Netflix in a few months. If you intend to use VPN for Netflix, it is best to commit shorter subscriptions and prevent money from being wasted.