How to Watch Niconico Outside Japan With a VPN (in 2025)
What Is Niconico?
Niconico, also known as Niconico Douga (which means “Smiling Videos”), is one of Japan’s most popular video-sharing platforms, known for its unique user experience. Unlike traditional video sites, Niconico allows users to post comments that scroll directly across the screen while the video plays, creating an engaging, real-time interaction between viewers. The platform offers a wide range of content — from anime and music videos to live broadcasts, gaming streams, and user-generated content.
While it’s a cultural staple in Japan, Niconico’s content is often region-locked, meaning many videos and live streams are unavailable to users outside the country. This restriction can be frustrating for international fans of Japanese pop culture, anime, and gaming communities who want to stay connected to Niconico’s vast library of content. That’s where a VPN becomes an essential tool.
You can access content on Niconico even if you’re out of Japan – simply by using a VPN. In this article, we will show you how you can watch Niconico even when you’re abroad with a VPN service.
Why Can I Only Access Niconico When I’m in Japan?
If you’ve tried to watch Niconico from outside Japan, you’ve likely run into a frustrating message telling you the content is unavailable in your region. That’s because Niconico, like many streaming platforms, uses geo-blocking to restrict access based on location. The platform only holds licensing rights to stream most of its content within Japan. So, if your IP address indicates you’re abroad, access to many videos and live streams is automatically blocked.
Fortunately, there’s a simple and effective way to bypass these restrictions: using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN allows you to connect to the internet through a server in another country — in this case, Japan. This makes it appear as though you’re browsing from within Japan, unlocking full access to Niconico’s content. On top of that, VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from hackers, trackers, and even government surveillance. It’s a smart solution for both privacy and unrestricted streaming.
How to Use a VPN to Watch Niconico Videos
If you’re outside Japan and want to enjoy everything Niconico has to offer — from live broadcasts and anime streams to user-generated content — a VPN is the key to unlocking the platform. By using a VPN, you can change your virtual location and trick Niconico into thinking you’re browsing from Japan. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step-by-Step Guide to Access Niconico
- Choose a Reliable VPN
Not all VPNs work well with Japanese streaming services, so it’s important to pick one that offers fast speeds, Japanese server locations, and good unblocking capabilities. Look for a VPN with a proven track record of bypassing geo-blocks — ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are great examples.
- Install the VPN App
Once you’ve chosen your VPN, download and install the app on the device you plan to use. Most VPN providers support Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even smart TVs or browser extensions.
- Connect to a Server in Japan
Open the VPN app and connect to a server located in Japan. This will assign your device a Japanese IP address, which is essential for accessing region-locked Niconico content.
- Go to the Niconico Website or App
With the VPN active, head over to www.nicovideo.jp or open the Niconico app. You should now be able to browse and stream videos as if you were in Japan.
- Create a Free Account (Optional)
While some Niconico content is available without an account, registering for a free account unlocks additional features and gives you access to a wider selection of videos. Registration is in Japanese, but you can use a browser translator to guide you through the process.
- Enjoy Niconico Without Restrictions
That’s it! You’re now ready to explore Niconico’s unique library of videos, live streams, and comment-filled entertainment — no matter where you are in the world.
Using a VPN not only helps you bypass regional restrictions but also keeps your online activity private and secure. Whether you’re a fan of anime, gaming, or niche Japanese content, this simple workaround ensures you never miss out on what Niconico has to offer — even from abroad.
Best VPNs to Access Niconico from Outside Japan
To watch Niconico smoothly from outside Japan, you’ll need more than just any VPN — you’ll need one that offers Japanese servers, consistent speeds for streaming, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions without hassle. The VPN should also have strong security features to protect your privacy while you browse and stream. Whether you’re tuning in for live events, anime episodes, or user-submitted videos, the right VPN will make the experience seamless and buffer-free.
Here is a list of the most recommended VPN services that will grant you fast, safe and unlimited access to your best Niconico videos.
ExpressVPN

Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 8
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slightly more expensive than others
ExpressVPN is one of the first and best Virtual Private Networks that will grant you primetime access to watch trending videos on the Niconico site. ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands and is well known for its reliability, quality and privacy. ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers in 160 locations spanning 105 countries with a sizeable number in Japan. This makes it very ideal for your purposes of viewing Niconico videos.
This provider is guaranteed to defeat the location restriction of Niconico effectively. Furthermore, they have top-notch encryption services that protect your network data such that no one can see what you’re doing. They also have ultra-fast servers, which makes watching videos very smooth and enjoyable as you do not have to wait for buffers and other such delays.
Even better, ExpressVPN has very customer-friendly services. They have 24-hour live chat support such that help is always available when you need it. They also have a money refund policy. After subscribing to the network, if you are not satisfied with the service you are getting, you may apply for a refund as long as it is within 30 days. However, their refund service rarely comes into play due to the excellent service they deliver.
ExpressVPN is available on a range of devices from which you can access Niconico, including Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and even routers. Once you connect to ExpressVPN, you get an unlimited bandwidth with which you can stream Niconico videos for as long as you want. ExpressVPN is also a good choice if you want to watch Japanese Amazon Prime and Japanese Netflix overseas.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN

Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 10
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 7,000+ in 118 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
NordVPN is another VPN that is worth all the money with which you subscribe to it. Although they have not existed for as long as ExpressVPN, they have proved themselves to be up to the task. If you are outside Japan and you want your favorite Niconico videos, then NordVPN can easily grant your wish. With their base in Panama, they have over 7000 servers in almost 111 countries, including Japan, NordVPN is dedicated to allowing you unlimited access to the Niconico website.
NordVPN has very efficient services in Japan, which will not only grant you access to Niconico but will also guarantee your privacy on the network. They also have an unlimited bandwidth, which grants up to six of your devices access to Niconico for as long as you want it. NordVPN also makes sure that your activity remains very private as they have a strict no-logs policy. They also have an algorithm that helps you select the best server in Japan that will serve you best in viewing Niconico.
Another incentive is that NordVPN also has a unique feature – they allow you to choose which is more important to you, speed, or privacy (ultra-fast or ultra-secure). NordVPN supports every kind of device, including iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux. They also have a very convenient 30-day money back guarantee as well as a fast and dependable customer care service. NordVPN also works well with unblocking other Japanese TV shows such as AbemaTV overseas.Choose a Reliable VPN
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.39
Surfshark

Features
- Free trial? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
- Ad blocking? Yes
- Servers: 3200+ in 100 countries
Pros/Cons
- No footprints
- Allows torrenting
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not the fastest
SurfShark deserves a spot on our list. With over 3000 servers in 100 countries that are dedicated to helping you access your favorite Niconico videos, SurfShark is one of the best in the business. They have high-speed and reliable services that assure your connection to Niconico irrespective of where you are in the world.
SurfShark has some unique features which are an extra attraction. Aside from its excellent internet speed, this provider allows an unlimited number of devices to connect and still maintains its fast speed and secure connection. It also has a straightforward interface, which makes using it a walk in the park. And when the VPN connection drops, SurfShark disconnects you from the internet.
They also offer ad-blocking services and even give you the option of selecting applications or websites that may bypass the VPN. Another incentive is that their subscription fees are not so expensive. What’s more? You can get discounts for extended subscription packages. The longer you subscribe for, the more discount you get to watch your Niconico videos whether or not you are in Japan. SurfShark is also a great choice for watching Japanese channels such as GYAO or dTV.
- Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest Price: $2.49
CyberGhost

Features
- Connected devices at once: 7
- Automatic kill switch? Yes
- One click connect: Yes
- Servers: 9300 worldwide
Pros/Cons
- No logs policy
- 24/7 live chat
- Apps for mobile devices and routers
- No free option
Established in 2011, CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs to bypass the geo-restrictions that come with Niconico. CyberGhost deserves a spot on our list with their high-quality service that guarantees your access to all the best videos on Niconico when you are outside Japan.
CyberGhost has more than 5600 servers in over 81 countries, including Japan. They have breakneck internet speeds on a secure encrypted network to keep you watching your favorite videos on Niconico uninterrupted. CyberGhost allows up to seven devices to connect at once and keeps all devices protected and streaming videos at top speed.
Furthermore, this provider has an unlimited bandwidth that keeps you connected to Niconico for as long as you want. With just one CyberGhost subscription, you can keep as many as seven devices safe from Niconico’s IP address restrictions. CyberGhost has features such as DNS and IP Leak Protection, military-grade encryption, and an automatic killswitch that will make your time on Niconico an enjoyable experience.
- Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
- Lowest price: €2
UltraVPN

Features
- One click connect? Yes
- Servers: 100+ superfast servers
- Bandwidth cap? No
- Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Pros/Cons
- Firewall
- Apps for all devices
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not as many servers as others
The fourth VPN that deserves a spot on our list of best VPNs that will help you gain access to Niconico is UltraVPN. Although they are one of the more recent VPN services, they are well on the way to the top. UltraVPN has proven to be very reliable in granting you access to Niconico when you are out of Japan. With a variety of options for servers in Japan, UltraVPN is guaranteed to give you premium video streaming services on Niconico.
UltraVPN is available in about 55 countries in the world, and more importantly, in Japan. They have high-quality services, which is very reliable. They give you the security and privacy that you want to access the Niconico on the internet while keeping your internet speed as fast as possible. UltraVPN does not log your internet activity and has an extra encryption layer that will keep your connection to Niconico very secure and stable.
The icing on the cake is that with UltraVPN, their subscription prices are not as high, yet the quality of their service is still excellent. You can get access to all your favorite videos on Niconico at a considerable price. UltraVPN allows a range of devices to connect to it, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
- Pros: Firewall; Apps for all devices; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: €2.99
How Do I Decide Which VPN to Use for Niconico?
We know that we have given you several options for VPN services, which can guarantee you unlimited access to Niconico, but you might want to know how to tell if a VPN is good for accessing Niconico’s content outside Japan or not. Here are a few factors that will guide you in selecting your preferred VPN.
- Where the server is located
Like we said before, a VPN service that does not have at least a server situated within Japan is of no use to you. Niconico will only grant access to a device with a Japanese IP address, and for that, you need to connect to a server in Japan. This is one of the significant factors you should consider to have unrestricted access to Niconico’s premium videos. - Limits on data
To get the best and enjoy your time connected to Niconico, you need to use a VPN service that does not have a limit on its data connection. An excellent VPN should grant you an unlimited data connection to Niconico for the ultimate experience. - Number of connected devices
Another factor you should consider before selecting your VPN service is the number of devices you can connect to at the same time. The more the allowable number of connections, the more likely the efficiency of the VPN. - Cost
You know now that there are free and paid VPNs. The more advisable option is the paid ones as they usually offer better services and guarantee. However, note that the more expensive VPN is not always the better choice. - Privacy
While on the internet, privacy is paramount. Some VPNs do not have very good encryptions and security, which means that your internet details can fall into the wrong hands. With the VPN options recommended in this article, you can rest assured that your privacy is guaranteed. - Functions
Any good VPN should be able to bypass internet geographic restrictions and also block your physical location from being sent even if you try. Any of the VPN service we suggested for you can easily do these and more. Be sure of what you want and what a VPN is capable of before you make your choice.
Do Free VPNs Work for Niconico?
While there are free Japanese VPNs available — and they can be tempting if you’re only looking for a quick solution. However, when it comes to streaming Niconico from outside Japan, free VPNs usually fall short. Most free VPN services do not offer servers in Japan as part of their free plan, making it impossible to even spoof your location to access Niconico in the first place.
Even if a free VPN does include Japanese servers, the chances of reliable streaming are slim. These servers are often overcrowded and suffer from slow connection speeds, leading to constant buffering, reduced video quality, or playback errors. Additionally, free VPNs frequently lack the ability to bypass Niconico’s geo-blocking technology, as their limited IP ranges are quickly detected and blacklisted by streaming platforms.
Beyond performance issues, free VPNs also come with serious limitations on data usage, bandwidth, and session time. Some may cap your usage at just a few hundred megabytes per day — far from enough for streaming videos. Others might display ads, log your activity, or even sell your data to third parties, compromising your privacy rather than protecting it.
On the other hand, paid VPN services offer a far more reliable and secure experience. They provide high-speed servers in Japan, unlimited bandwidth, robust encryption, and dedicated support for unblocking streaming services like Niconico. With a paid VPN, you’ll have a smooth, uninterrupted viewing experience — and the peace of mind that your connection is safe and private.
For these reasons, we strongly recommend using a premium VPN if you want consistent and unrestricted access to Niconico, no matter where you are in the world.
Conclusion: How to Watch Niconico Outside of Japan
Niconico is one of the best sites to watch and share exciting and trendy videos that are guaranteed to keep you coming back for more. And now, you know how to access the website even when you’re not home in Japan. We have told you how to use VPNs, what VPNs to use, and how to select them. So, now get started with the VPN of your choice & you can catch all your favorite shows and videos on Niconico instantly, whether or not you are in Japan.

Get 61% off now


Get 71% off now


Get 85% off now


Get 83% off now
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can watch Niconico outside Japan by using a VPN. Due to geo-restrictions, you can only watch Niconico in Japan. However, a VPN can easily change your IP address to one in Japan and grant you access to the show. Simply download a reliable VPN provider, login, change your server to one in Japan, and start watching Niconico from any location.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the best VPN providers to use in watching Niconico outside Japan. These VPN providers have thousands of servers in several countries, including in Japan, that will grant you easy access to Niconico outside Japan. They also use the AES encryption model and have essential privacy and security features to help maintain your safety.
Yes, it is safe to watch Niconico with a VPN. Your VPN service provider does not only grant you access to your preferred content but also keeps you anonymous by hiding your identity. When using a reliable VPN, you will also drastically reduce the risk of getting cyberattacks. VPNs will grant you safe access to Niconico and maintain your privacy.
There is no law against using a VPN to access geo-restricted content. However, you may be going against the site’s policy. If the site discovers you’re using a VPN, all they’ll do is block the VPN-provided IP address and restore the geo-restriction. If this happens, you can easily switch servers and continue streaming Niconico. However, there are a few countries that ban the use of VPN. In countries like the UAE, China, North Korea, Russia, and others, it is illegal to use a VPN.