How to watch Abema outside Japan: the FAST method (2024)

Abema is a Japanese streaming website that remains locked in certain countries. In our walkthrough, we explain how to watch Abema outside Japan without the website or your IPS finding out.

If your VPN isn’t hiding your real location from Abema, the website will interfere with the server you’re using, making your VPN useless. Our recommended options will unlock Abema by giving your device a temporary IP address from Japan.

Which VPNs work with Abema?

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Using a VPN to watch Abema outside Japan

At a glance: To use Abema from overseas, download a VPN, sign in to your account, connect to a server based in Japan and then reload the website.

1. Install a VPN to your PC

To stream shows on Abema while outside Japan, you need a VPN. We’ve highlighted a couple of our favourites on this page.

2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your VPN account, sign in with your email and password. It should only take a couple of seconds to register your details.

3. Connect to a server for Abema

As Abema is aimed at a Japanese audience, you need to connect to a Japan-based VPN server to watch from overseas.

To do this using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a Japanese location. Select the power icon to connect and wait for the green light before loading up Abema.

Why is Abema not working with my VPN?

If Abema identifies that you’re trying to stream content from an unsupported country outside of Japan, your connection could be blocked. However, a trusted VPN can still help you stream TV from anywhere in the world, even if you’re traveling.

Your VPN is broken and that’s probably because it’s not hiding your actual location. The VPN servers you have available through your current VPN could be blacklisted by the website.

How to fix Abema

1. Update your VPN

If your VPN can’t unlock Japanese TV streams, you need to make sure you’re using up-to-date software.

From an Android, open the Play Store. Select your profile icon in the corner.

From an iPhone, open the App Store. In the top-right corner, tap your user profile.

From a computer, launch your VPN and go to Settings.

2. Try Customer Support

Popular VPNs have support teams that are there to lend a hand with technical hiccups. Ask the team about known Abema issues or wider problems linked to streaming from any region-locked website.

3. Use a different VPN server

Try disconnecting from the server you’re using. On ExpressVPN, for example, you can hit the dots icon to see a list of other servers in the same country. You can also favourite the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

4. Restart your VPN

To continue troubleshooting, uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open your VPN and Abema to see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Check your internet connection

First, disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN again. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a full reset by restarting your router.

Assess your internet connection using an internet speed tool, such as this one from Ookla. This test will allow you to compare the results with your Internet Service Provider’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed.’

More Abema fixes:

Check your VPN servers. If you can’t connect, your provider might be at fault. Top-rated VPN providers (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are quick to fix their damaged servers.

Enter your VPN username and password again. If you can log in now, load up Abema once again and try streaming.

Clear cache and cookies. From Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. And on Apple’s Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Make sure you aren’t the victim of a DNS leak. Flawed VPNs don’t disguise your real IP address and location when you visit Abema. To check, turn it off and head to the IP Address Lookup tool. Make a note of your typical IP address, activate your VPN, run the test again and see if those details change. If you don’t see a difference, your VPN isn’t working.

Are you using the right browser? Ensure that your web browser is compatible with your VPN. If you’ve updated your VPN, don’t forget to update your browser as well. On Chrome, access Settings > About Chrome.

Check your firewall. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall. With your firewall settings adjusted, try streaming from the Abema website.

The best VPNs for Abema

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

If you want to enjoy videos on Abema from anywhere in the world, try ExpressVPN. It’s easy to use, speedy and works well if you’re looking to access the website outside of a supported territory. To watch TV streams anywhere, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a server in Japan and go from there.

This VPN keeps your real IP address hidden around the clock, so Abema won’t know you’re accessing content from outside of Japan. Every ExpressVPN member has access to servers in over 90 countries around the world. ExpressVPN works on a range of different devices including Mac, PC, Android or iOS smartphone.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy works well with Abema and it’s a solid option if you don’t want to spend loads on a VPN to watch TV. This service is built to support 256-bit encryption, which helps keep cybercriminals away, and on top of that you get public wi-fi security that protects your gadgets against malware if you’re connecting to a hotspot in a public area.

You can use Ivacy to access geo-restricted websites such as Abema without anybody knowing. That’s because of Ivacy’s strict no-logs policy, which stops your valuable personal data from being sold to sinister third parties.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

Here’s another VPN that lets you watch video on Abema outside of a supported country. NordVPN has servers across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. And with Nord’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without speeds being affected.

NordVPN’s servers are secure and you can connect without handing over personal data. This VPN doesn’t watch how you’re using the service, so privacy is guaranteed. You can also try the CyberSec feature, which blocks suspicious-looking websites and lowers the risk of your device being infected with data-grabbing malware.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

PureVPN is a great VPN that allows you to bypass geo-locked websites so you can enjoy Abema without a fuss, even if you’re not currently based in a supported country. Aside from Abema, PureVPN also works with ITV Hub and Hulu. There are over 6,000 super-secure PureVPN servers based in over 70 different countries.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

Watch Abema on PC or mobile

How to watch Abema on Windows

1. Pick one of our suggested VPNs – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in.
3. From Windows, open ExpressVPN and select a server in Japan.
4. Once you’re connected, head to the Abema website.
5. Log in to your Abema account and enjoy.

Watch Abema on Mac

1. Pick one of our chosen VPNs and create an account – ExpressVPN, for example.
2. After making an ExpressVPN account, sign in with your username and password.
3. From Mac, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in Japan.
4. When you’re connected, visit the Abema website.
5. Log in to your Abema account.

How to watch Abema on iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the Abema app to your device – it’s on the Apple App Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in Japan.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the Abema app and log in to your account.

Watch Abema on Android

1. Head to the Google Play Store from your Android tablet or smartphone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the Abema app to your device – it’s on the Google Play Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in Japan.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the Abema app and log in to your account.

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