How to Watch Hulu Japan Outside Japan with a VPN in 2024
Hulu is one of the most popular video streaming services that gives you access to thousands of movies, series, anime, TV shows, sports channels, and many more. Another great incentive of Hulu is that it allows you to watch the latest episodes of shows the day after they are released.
However, Hulu is only available in the US and Japan. This means that if you’re not in either country, you may not be able to access Hulu’s content. Furthermore, if you’re specifically interested in Japanese Hulu, you will not be able to watch it unless you’re in Japan. Therefore, if you live in any other country, Hulu Japan’s doors are closed to you. Fortunately, we’ve figured out a way in which you can go around the restriction.
In this article, we’ll explain how you can watch Hulu Japan even if you do not stay in Japan using a VPN service. However, before we proceed, let’s take a look at why Hulu Japan is restricted in locations outside the country.
Why is Hulu Japan blocked outside Japan?
Hulu Japan is only available within Japan because the site only has the right to show the specific content within Japan. Luckily there is an easy solution to the problem. It is possible for lovers of Japanese movies who live in other countries to use a VPN to watch Hulu Japan with zero stress.
Hulu Japan limits its content to users within Japan by checking the IP addresses of the devices visiting their website. So, to have access to all Hulu Japan’s content from outside Japan, you only need a valid Japanese IP address.
A VPN creates a digital tunnel through which your device – laptop, tablet, or smartphone can access the Internet. This VPN server can also reroute your connection through a designated server in the country of your choice. As a result, you get the IP address of that country – in this context, Japan, and thus the permission to access all content that was only available in Japan.
Quick Guide to Watching Hulu Overseas with a VPN
To watch Hulu overseas, using a VPN is the most effective method. Below is a step-by-step guide.
- Choose a VPN Service: First, select a reliable VPN service that can connect to Japanese servers. Recommended VPNs provide stable connections and high-speed communication.
- Install VPN Software: Download and install the software from the chosen VPN’s official website. It is compatible with devices such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
- Connect to a Japanese Server: Launch the VPN software and select a server located in Japan to connect. This step assigns a Japanese IP address to your device.
- Access Hulu: Open your browser and access Hulu’s official website, or launch the Hulu app. Now, you can watch Hulu overseas.
- Enjoy Hulu: You can now watch Japanese Hulu content as if you were in Japan. No matter where you are, you can enjoy your favorite shows by watching Hulu from abroad.
How can you get a valid IP address to access Hulu Japan?
You can access Japanese Hulu from outside Japan with any of the best available VPNs online. There are many free Japanese VPNs out there. However, you should be wary of how they could be profiting from your use of their service; instead, consider paying for your VPN. Paid VPNs are also more likely to have more server locations and IP addresses in many countries.
So, what are the best VPN service providers to subscribe to in order to access Hulu Japan on your device even if you’re miles away from Japan? Dive in!
Best VPNs for accessing Hulu outside Japan
Although there are many VPN services available online in recent years, here is a list of five (5) best providers with tested and trusted services:
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN offers a quality VPN service that has been the mainstay of the industry over the years. They have more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries (a lot of servers are located in Japan), with generally excellent speeds that will allow you to stream HD content on Hulu Japan without a problem.
A wide range of platforms is supported, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Also, you can watch Japanese Hulu using ExpressVPN from any of your devices – desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The MediaStreamer DNS feature on ExpressVPN unblocks Japanese Hulu on devices that don’t have native VPN support, i.e., smart TVs, game consoles, and Apple TV.
With ExpressVPN, your security is assured, with their 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling. Your privacy is also guaranteed with no connection logs or activity logs kept. Another benefit of ExpressVPN is their 24/7 email and live chat support in case you run into problems.
This provider supports up to five devices simultaneously – ensuring that no matter what device you have in hand, you can always access Hulu Japan from anywhere. You only require an internet connection and an ExpressVPN subscription. Speaking of subscription, ExpressVPN has a reassuring 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with their service. How about that?
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 5342 in 58 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
For accessing Hulu Japan from outside Japan and seamless streaming videos on the website, NordVPN is right up there with the best. This provider offers fast performance, with the streaming speeds barely affected, even when several devices are connected to one account.
Hulu users will be pleased to know that of the over 5000 servers NordVPN has in 60 plus countries worldwide, 65 are in Japan. This VPN service has custom apps for all the major platforms and devices, with tutorials for manual setup. One of the most attractive features of NordVPN is the Smart Play feature. This is the secure proxy that NordVPN uses to bypass the geo-blocks of various media streaming services, including Hulu. It’s switched on by default, thus giving you free access to Hulu’s Japanese video content without any hassles.
Security-wise, NordVPN is as good as it gets with military-grade encryption. This also includes the option to encrypt your internet traffic not once, but twice – on different available servers with ease. With NordVPN, you also benefit from a DNS leak protection, adverts, and malware blocking, as well as a kill switch. A ‘no-logs’ policy protects users’ online activity, and you can get assistance 24/7 via chat or email.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
HideMyAss
Features
- Speeds: 20 Gbps
- Money-back guarantee: Yes
- Activity logs? No
- Locations: 190+ countries
Pros/Cons
- Best server database on the market
- No-logs and kill switch policy
- Multiple device protection
- Expensive short term plan
The name of this VPN is sure to catch anyone’s attention. HideMyAss has a strong network with a good selection of protocols supported. While they have an extensive and clearly written set of policy documents, the company explicitly allows P2P and torrents.
With thousands of servers in over 190 countries, no VPN is close to HMA. Having over a thousand ways to stay private, they indeed are leaders in the privacy sphere. There’s no logging whatsoever, and they use military-grade encryption (256-bit AES).
Furthermore, we like how HMA offers support on a wide range of devices, including game consoles. Their bitcoin support and money-back guarantee are also two of the most exciting things about them. And with an offer of five (5) simultaneous connections, staying connected has never been easier. For their monthly plan, you pay $11.99. Their 12-month plan is cheaper at $6.99 per month billed at once as $83.88. Their 3-year plan costs $4.29 per month billed at once as $154.44.
- Pros: Best server database on the market; No-logs and kill switch policy; Multiple device protection;
- Lowest price $2.99
PrivateVPN
Features
- Killswitch Yes
- iOS App Yes
- Data logging No
Pros/Cons
- Servers in 63 countries
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256
- App can seem complicated
PrivateVPN is one of the leading VPN service providers that helps in granting access to geo-restricted platforms like Hulu from any location. It has good speed, security, and the necessary servers to give you access to Japanese Hulu.
The VPN provider has hundreds of servers in different countries, including in Japan. It allows you to stream content on Japanese Hulu with good speed, as it will not interfere with your internet service.
When using PrivateVPN, you will also remain safe and anonymous. It uses the AES 256-bit encryption model and has features like DNS leak protection and a kill-switch to secure your connection. Furthermore, it has a strict no-logs policy to help keep you private.
Additionally, PrivateVPN offers a 7-day free trial to allow you to try out its features before committing. After the 7-day free trial elapses, the VPN provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. During this period, you can watch as much Japanese Hulu content and request a refund before the 30-days elapses.
PrivateVPN has a mobile-friendly interface and allows you to connect six devices simultaneously. It also has a 22-hour customer service team to help you resolve any issues you may have. Private VPN is affordable and compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and0 iOS.
- Pros: Servers in 63 countries; 30-day money-back guarantee; 2048-bit Encryption With AES-256;
- Lowest price: €2.04
ProtonVPN
Features
- P2P support? Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
- Country of origin? Switzerland
- Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 5
Pros/Cons
- Professional support
- Modern interface and apps
- AES-256 encryption
- Lesser known provider
ProtonVPN is a Virtual Private Network that’s brought to you by the same firm behind the massively prevalent ProtonMail service. If you’re already a fan of the levels of privacy and security provided by ProtonMail, then you’ll know what to expect out of ProtonVPN. With affordable monthly plans, a free version that’s exceedingly competent, and peerless privacy, ProtonVPN is doing well in the VPN market. Also, ProtonVPN provides security measures and support for both Tor and BitTorrent streaming. The VPN also checks all the right boxes for privacy-minded users to ensure they get the best of the service.
The free version of ProtonVPN, however, does not have as many features as the paid version does. Thus, you will need to upgrade from the free version to the paid version to enjoy unlimited ProtonVPN services. Subscription plans are inexpensive compared to others. With a single subscription, you can secure five devices, and get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
We put that to the test, on a desktop and mobile, to see if ProtonVPN can stand up against the industry’s leaders. We checked out basic things like how easy it is to set up and use, tested how well it handles high-speed data transfer, encryption options, additional security features, and more. All of these have made us conclude that ProtonVPN is one of the best Virtual Private Network providers to use to access video content on Hulu Japan from anywhere on the planet.
- Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
- Lowest price: €4
Trust.Zone
Features
- Complete anonymity? Yes
- Unblocking of all websites? Yes
- Pricing options: 4
- Servers: 164 in 80+ zones
- Free trial: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Bitcoin accepted
- App for mobile devices
- Lesser known provider
One of the cheapest VPNs available right now to access Hulu Japan content is Trust.Zone (based in Seychelles). Trust.Zone exemplifies speed and privacy in a VPN. One advantage of Trust.Zone is that you can get an instant three (3) day trial without entering any payment information. Cool, right? Yes, we know! This way, you can test the VPN with Hulu Japan to verify if it works well for you and also provides the service you want.
Trust.Zone offers its subscribers many speedy servers in Japan to stream Japanese Hulu content from anywhere across the globe. The streaming quality is perfect, and there are no hiccups or interruptions.
However, Trust.Zone only offers custom VPN apps for Windows and Android. Using the VPN on other devices’ browsers, such as macOS, iOS, or routers, however, is easy. With their configuration wizard, setting up your VPN is a walk in the park. You can use Trust.Zone with third-party (open source) apps or natively with some operating systems and devices.
Trust.Zone also offers dedicated IP addresses, which work great for streaming Hulu Japan outside Japan. Also, support is available via email, and all plans come with a ten-day money-back guarantee.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Bitcoin accepted; App for mobile devices;
- Lowest price: €3
The Importance of Security and Privacy When Watching Hulu Overseas
When watching Hulu from abroad, ensuring security and privacy is crucial. By using a VPN, your online activities are encrypted, protecting you from third-party monitoring and unauthorized access. This is especially important when engaging in Hulu overseas viewing, as it safeguards your personal and payment information from potential leaks.
Moreover, when viewing Hulu overseas, if your use of a VPN is detected, your access might be restricted. Therefore, it’s advisable to choose a VPN service that offers strong encryption technology and features like frequent IP address changes. This minimizes the risks associated with watching Hulu overseas and allows you to enjoy your viewing experience safely.
By securing your viewing environment, you can confidently enjoy Japanese Hulu content wherever you are. Take the necessary precautions and enjoy a smooth streaming experience.
Connection Troubles and Solutions When Watching Hulu Overseas
When watching Hulu overseas, you may encounter connection issues. These troubles can arise if your VPN connection is unstable or if Hulu detects and blocks the VPN. Here are some common issues during Hulu overseas viewing and their solutions.
- Slow Connection: Using a VPN can slow down your connection, especially if the VPN server is congested or physically distant. To solve this issue, try connecting to a different Japanese server or consider switching to a faster VPN provider.
- Hulu Blocks Access: When watching Hulu from abroad, Hulu might detect the VPN and block access. In this case, try changing your VPN settings or refreshing the IP address and reconnecting. Contacting your VPN provider’s support can also be helpful.
- Hulu Not Displaying Properly: If Hulu’s page does not load correctly, try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. Disconnecting and reconnecting the VPN can also resolve the issue.
By implementing these measures, you can enhance your experience of watching Hulu overseas. Quickly address connection troubles and enjoy Japanese content without stress.
Free and paid VPNs: Which is better for accessing Hulu Japan?
There are numerous reasons why you should consider using a VPN, and their ability to bypass geo-blocking on any site is one of them. VPNs encrypt your traffic, giving your browsing (and streaming) a layer of privacy from hackers, snooping ISPs, and the government.
Although some companies now offer a basic VPN service that won’t cost you anything at all, their services are not so great. Free VPN services have limitations, and in your case, the restrictions might be not being able to watch Japanese Hulu content outside Japan. However, paid VPN services offer a great deal of unlimited access to Hulu Japan content even when you’re thousands of miles away from Japan.
Free products also typically have usage restrictions. Most companies don’t want you to soak up all their bandwidth on torrents, so you’re only left with small bandwidths to deal with – often for a couple of days. This is unlike in paid VPN services where you can enjoy more bandwidth and fast connection without interruption.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
VPNs are legal in many countries of the world. However, in some places like North Korea and Iraq, they are not. VPNs are not illegal, but they can be misused.
These illegal ways of using VPNs include;
- Hacking: VPNs are not meant to be used to hack other computers and networks, but many people
use it for this purpose. The anonymity feature in VPNs makes this illegal act possible. - Trading on the dark web: A lot of illegal materials like guns and drugs are sold and bought on the dark web. And with a VPN, these trades become easier because the actions of such people cannot be traced.
- Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying: When people are given IP addresses of other countries, many people misuse it. One way of abusing this IP address is in cyberstalking and cyberbullying.
In conclusion
VPNs offer a way to stay connected to your best videos, anime, sports highlights, and many more on Hulu Japan. Don’t let the geographical restrictions placed by Hulu prevent you from enjoying your favorite Japanese movies without interruptions.
You know what to do – subscribe to one or more of the paid Virtual Private Networks listed above. Happy streaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can watch Hulu outside Japan using a VPN. Ideally, you should be unable to watch content on Japanese Hulu due to geo-restrictions. However, a reliable VPN can help change your IP address to one in Japan and allow you to gain access to Hulu. To the streaming platform, it will look like you’re streaming from Japan.
To choose the right VPN provider, you need to consider the location of the servers, speed, security, privacy, and price.
The right VPN service should have a good number of servers across different countries. To access Japanese Hulu, you need a VPN provider with servers in Japan. Your provider should also provide good streaming speed. It will be frustrating to stream content on Hulu with slow buffering. It should also be cost-effective and able to protect you from cyber-attacks.
Yes, it is safe to watch Japanese Hulu with a VPN. Using a VPN is still one of the best ways to prevent cyberattacks when using the internet. A reliable VPN provider will grant you access to geo-restricted content and still keep you private. No one else besides yourself will see what you are doing on the internet, not even your VPN provider. Additionally, good VPN providers come with malware protectors, a kill-switch, and other security features to help protect your data.
Japan does not have any law against using a VPN to access Hulu. Using a VN is legal in most countries and accessing geo-restricted content is not illegal. However, you will be going against the company’s policy but won’t be penalized if the company finds out.