Revealed: How to watch BBC iPlayer in Japan (2023 guide)

For watching TV shows on the go, BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular streaming services around. But if you’re trying to watch its best releases while you’re in Japan, you’ll run into trouble. To watch iPlayer outside the United Kingdom (with a valid subscription), you’ll need a VPN – our jargon-free guide is here to save the day.

By joining forces with a reliable, secure VPN that can access sites usually locked in certain countries, it doesn’t matter where you’re watching BBC iPlayer from. Keep scrolling for the juicy details on how to watch BBC iPlayer in Japan.

In this article:

• Does BBC iPlayer work in Japan?
• Why is BBC iPlayer not working with my VPN?
• Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer
• The best VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer in Japan
• How to watch BBC iPlayer in Japan on Windows
• Watch BBC iPlayer in Japan on Mac
• How to watch BBC iPlayer in Japan on iPhone
• Watch BBC iPlayer in Japan on Android

At a glance: VPNs that work with BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is only available in certain countries, including the UK. Bad VPNs might not work with BBC iPlayer because they fail to hide your location if you’re outside a supported country. But the VPNs we talk about below are recommended for TV addicts who want to use the service anywhere.

Note: all of the BBC VPNs below offer a 30-day, money-back guarantee. ✅

Does BBC iPlayer work in Japan?

If you want to browse the BBC’s library while you’re traveling around the world, you’ll need a VPN. With a VPN that can trick the website into thinking you’re overseas, you’ll be able to enjoy content that’s usually reserved for a British audience. We’ll help you pick the perfect VPN for you, so keep scrolling.

Why is BBC iPlayer not working with my VPN?

Maybe you already have a VPN, but it’s not working with BBC iPlayer while you’re based in Japan. If your VPN isn’t very good and doesn’t hide your location when you connect, iPlayer will blacklist the VPN server you’re using, which means your software is worthless. Bad VPNs take a long time to replace those blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of gaining access to shows streaming on the BBC.

But fear not. The best VPNs we’ve seen do a brilliant job of replacing blacklisted servers. That means that even if the BBC disables a server, a replacement will be up sooner rather than later.

Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer

Our advice is to avoid these – free VPNs are more likely to sell your data to third parties in order to make a profit. However, the trusted VPNs we’ve listed on this page will keep your valuable data hidden at all times.

The best VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer in Japan

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.90 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.41 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.61 per month (49% off)

If you want to enjoy BBC iPlayer within Japan, consider creating a membership with ExpressVPN. It’s easy to use, speedy and works well if you’re looking to access BBC shows outside the United Kingdom. To watch iPlayer in Japan, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a server based in the UK and go from there.

This VPN keeps your real IP address hidden, so iPlayer won’t know you’re accessing UK content from 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.

Try ExpressVPN with our unique discount code (30-day money-back guarantee)

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.29 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.89 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.99 per month (54% off)

Here’s another VPN that lets you watch BBC iPlayer in Japan. NordVPN has servers across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. With NordVPN’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without speeds being affected.

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

In just a couple of minutes, you can start watching iPlayer in Japan using NordVPN. To access the streaming service, just connect to a VPN server based in the UK. If you need help at any time, you can call on NordVPN’s 24/7 live chat service.

Try NordVPN with our unique discount code (30-day money-back guarantee)

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: $9.95 per month
• 1-year subscription: $3.99 per month (save $71.40)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: $1 per month (90% off)

Ivacy works well with iPlayer and it’s a reliable option if you don’t want to spend loads on a VPN. It’s built to support 256-bit encryption, which helps keep cybercriminals away, plus 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 BBC iPlayer without anybody knowing about it. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s strict no-logs policy, which stops your valuable personal data from being sold to sinister third parties.

This is one of the most widely-used VPNs proven to work hand-in-hand with iPlayer. If you try it today, you’ll have access to over 3,000 VPN servers around the world. One subscription has you covered on up to 10 different devices at once. Meanwhile, Ivacy’s internet kill switch keeps you hidden even if your connection drops without warning.

Try Ivacy with our unique discount code (30-day money-back guarantee)

For more on Ivacy, you can read our full Ivacy review.

Atlas VPN

• 1-month subscription: £9.83 per month
• 1-year subscription: £2.69 per month (73% off with code BIGDEAL)
• 2-year subscription + 3 months extra: £1.49 per month (85% off with code BIGDEAL)

Atlas VPN serves as your shield against online threats and also unlocks region-locked content on iPlayer for you. It comes with a tracker blocker that battles against ads, suspicious websites and phishing links. Atlas VPN is a good choice if you want to watch BBC iPlayer in Japan.

Other features include a data breach monitor that tells you if your personal details have been exposed online. Atlas VPN also has a no-logs policy plus a network kill switch that halts the service if your connection becomes unstable.

Try Atlas VPN today with our exclusive code (30-day money-back guarantee)

How to watch BBC iPlayer in Japan on Windows

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and sign up – let’s use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Windows device, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the UK.
4. Once you’re connected to that server, head to the BBC iPlayer website.
5. Log in to your iPlayer account and enjoy on Windows from anywhere in the world!

Watch BBC iPlayer in Japan on Mac

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and create your account – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Mac, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the United Kingdom.
4. Once connected, head to the iPlayer website.
5. Log in to your BBC account and enjoy on Mac from anywhere in the world!

How to watch BBC iPlayer in Japan on iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the iPlayer 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 the UK.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the iPlayer app and log in to your account.
6. Enjoy iPlayer on iPhone from anywhere in the world!

Watch BBC iPlayer in Japan 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 iPlayer 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 the UK.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the iPlayer app and log in to your account.
6. Enjoy iPlayer on Android from anywhere in the world!