How to Watch Niconico Outside Japan With a VPN (in 2024)

How to Watch Niconico Outside Japan With a VPN (in 2024)

Niconico is one of the top websites in Japan where users can share and watch viral videos on the internet. However, there’s a little snag. Niconico does not broadcast its content outside Japan. Luckily, there’s a way to access content on Niconico even if you’re out of the country – by using a VPN. In this articles we will show you how you can watch Niconico outside Japan with a VPN service.

Why can I only access Niconico when I’m in Japan

The reason you can’t watch Niconico overseas is because Niconico has only bought the rights to show the content in Japan. If your IP address is not registered in Japan, then you will be able to watch Niconico.

As mentioned earlier, there’s a straightforward way around this problem. The trick is to install and use a VPN on your device. VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network. In very short terms a VPN will let you change your IP adress to other countries, as well as securing your traffic from hackers and surveillance.

How to use a VPN to watch Niconico videos

Using a VPN to watch Niconico is easy. First off, you have to download a VPN service. Then you just have to connect to a Japanese server. Note that you have to make sure your VPN service has a server in Japan.

Since you are now connected to a VPN with a Japanese server, you will now have a Japanese IP address. And since this is the simple criteria for accessing Niconico videos on their website, the systems will be tricked into believing you are in Japan and grant you access. Just like that, you’re in!

Best VPNs to access Niconico from outside Japan

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

ExpressVPN devices

Features

  • Number of servers: More than 3,000
  • Speeds: Unlimited
  • Server locations: 160 in 94 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
Visit ExpressVPN

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 94 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

NordVPN devices

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
Visit NordVPN

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 5000 servers in almost 60 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.

  • Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $3.71

Surfshark

Surfshark devices

Features

  • Free trial? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
  • Ad blocking? Yes
  • Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries

Pros/Cons

  • No footprints
  • Allows torrenting
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Not the fastest
Try Surfshark

SurfShark deserves a spot on our list. With over 1000 servers in 61 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

UltraVPN

UltraVPN devices

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
Try UltraVPN

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

CyberGhost

CyberGhost devices

Features

  • Connected devices at once: 7
  • Automatic kill switch? Yes
  • One click connect: Yes
  • Servers: 5900 worldwide

Pros/Cons

  • No logs policy
  • 24/7 live chat
  • Apps for mobile devices and routers
  • No free option
Try CyberGhost

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

How do I decide which VPN to use?

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 exist?

Some VPNs come free while you have to pay to use others. Although the free Japanese VPNs may work well enough to do the job, most often they don’t work with streaming Niconico. The reason for this is that the server speed is too slow, which will lead to a lot of problems when you try to stream video content.

On the other hand, paid VPN services have safeguards for anonymity, privacy, and usually have an unlimited amount of time for use. We advise that you use a paid VPN so you can have unrestricted access to Niconico anytime and anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Niconico outside Japan?

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. 

What is the best VPN to watch Niconico outside Japan?

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. 

Is It safe to watch Niconico with a VPN?

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. 

Is it legal to use a VPN to watch Niconico outside Japan?

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.

In conclusion

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, you can now catch all your favorite shows and videos on Niconico whether or not you are in Japan.