ABEMA is one of Japan’s most popular streaming platforms, combining live TV channels, anime simulcasts, news, and a large slate of original variety and reality shows.
Unlike some Japanese streaming services that block overseas access entirely, ABEMA can be partially used from abroad without any setup. Most of its popular content, though, including its biggest hit shows such as I Fell in Love Today: Summer Vacation Edition, Ai no Hyena, Super Nobishiro Time, and Chance no Jikan, is restricted to Japan.
This guide covers who might be interested in ABEMA, why a lot of content is blocked, and how to get access to it.
What Is ABEMA?
ABEMA is a Japanese streaming platform operated by CyberAgent and TV Asahi.
The service combines:
- Live television channels
- Anime simulcasts
- News broadcasts
- Reality shows
- Original programs/shows
- Sports events
- On-demand content
Unlike traditional TV streaming services, ABEMA offers both scheduled live channels and a growing library of on-demand programs.
Can You Watch ABEMA Outside Japan?
The answer is:
Sometimes.
ABEMA is more accessible internationally than services such as TVer.
Many visitors outside Japan can:
- Open the website
- Browse content
- View selected programs
However, not every program is available worldwide.
Some content may display messages such as:
This content is not available in your region.
or
Not available in your country.
The availability depends primarily on licensing agreements and broadcasting rights.
Why Are Some ABEMA Programs Region Locked?
Streaming rights are usually negotiated country by country. A show ABEMA has the rights to distribute in Japan may belong to a different service, or no service at all outside of ABEMA itself.
Anime, dramas, sports broadcasts, and ABEMA’s own original programming are the categories most affected. This is standard across the streaming industry, and it’s the same reason a show available on a Japanese platform often isn’t available on Netflix or another international service in your country.
How to Access ABEMA From Outside Japan
There are three common ways to get a Japanese IP address: a VPN, a Japan-based VPS, or the two combined.
VPN
A VPN routes your connection through a server in another location. Connecting to a Japanese server makes your traffic appear to originate from Japan.
The basic process:
- Choose a VPN provider with Japanese servers.
- Connect to a Japanese server.
- Check that your public IP address shows Japan as your location.
- Open ABEMA.
- Sign up or sign in.
- Try playing the content.
VPNs are cheap and quick to set up, but VPN IP ranges are shared across thousands of users, and streaming platforms maintain blocklists of known VPN IPs. Results can be inconsistent depending on the provider. Choosing a larger provider with a larger number of IP addresses in your desired country is recommended to help avoid detection.
Japan VPS
A Japan VPS is a virtual machine located on a physical server in Japan that you connect to remotely, the same as remote-controlling a PC that happens to be sitting in a data center in Osaka or Tokyo rather than on your desk. Because it’s physically in Japan, it has its own Japanese IP address automatically, with nothing extra to configure.
Your local device is just the window you’re looking through, whereas the actual browsing happens on the Japan side.
Since ABEMA actively maintains blocklists of known VPN IP ranges instead of just checking your general location, a VPN being used to disguise your own device’s connection as being in Japan can be caught and blocked fairly easily. However, a Japan VPS has an IP address dedicated to you so it will be less likely to be flagged.
Japan VPS + VPN (Combo)
With the combo setup, that same Japan-based machine works as a private tunnel instead of somewhere you remote into directly. Your device connects to it in the background and routes your traffic through it, so your everyday browser uses a Japanese IP that shouldn’t be on any VPN blocklist.
The practical difference from VPS-only is that you keep using your own browser and bookmarks exactly as normal, with no remote session to open. Video also plays on your own device instead of being streamed to you over Remote Desktop, so playback is usually much smoother. For regular viewing, this is the most convenient setup.
VPN vs VPS vs Combo
VPN
Advantages:
- Quick, straightforward setup
- Affordable pricing
- Beginner friendly
Limitations:
- Shared IP addresses, which streaming services may flag
- Performance can vary
Japan VPS
Advantages:
- Dedicated Japanese IP address, not shared with other users
- Full virtual machine with dedicated resources
- Better suited for accessing multiple Japanese services long term
Limitations:
- More involved initial setup than a VPN
- Typically higher cost
- Requires some comfort with Remote Desktop or basic VPN configuration
- Video playback over Remote Desktop can be choppy
Japan VPS + VPN (Combo)
Advantages:
- Dedicated Japanese IP address, not shared with other users
- Use your own device and browser normally
- Set up once, then runs in the background
- Smoother streaming experience
Limitations:
- Still requires some initial setup on your device
- Requires basic VPN configuration
How to Watch ABEMA Using a Japan VPS
Method 1: VPS With a Preconfigured VPN
Step 1: Set Up Your Japan VPS.
Choose a Windows VPS hosted in Japan and complete the initial setup. Your provider should give you the connection details and, if included, the VPN configuration.
Step 2: Connect to the VPN.
Use the VPN configuration provided with your VPS plan to connect your computer to the Japan-based server.
Step 3: Check Your IP Address.
Before opening ABEMA, check your public IP address using an IP-checking service and confirm it’s recognized as Japan-based.
Step 4: Open ABEMA.
Open your normal browser, visit ABEMA, sign up and try playing the content.
If ABEMA still shows a region error, try accessing from a private/incognito window.
Method 2: Access ABEMA Directly From the VPS
Step 1: Connect to the VPS.
Use Windows Remote Desktop to connect to your Japan-based Windows VPS.
Step 2: Open a Browser.
Once connected, open Edge, Chrome, or another browser installed on the VPS.
Step 3: Visit ABEMA.
Navigate to ABEMA from the browser running on the VPS. Because the browser is running on the Japan-based machine, the connection to ABEMA originates from there, not from your overseas computer.
Step 4: Sign Up.
Register with just an email address, no phone number or Japan address required, and start streaming.
Who Uses ABEMA Outside Japan?
Japanese Language Learners
ABEMA provides access to:
- Native conversations
- News broadcasts
- Everyday Japanese expressions
Making it useful for improving listening skills.
Why Japanese Learners Like ABEMA
ABEMA offers something that many language learning resources cannot:
Real-world Japanese
Users can hear:
- Natural speaking styles
- Modern slang
- News reporting language
- Everyday conversations
This exposure helps learners become familiar with how Japanese is actually spoken.
Anime Fans
ABEMA frequently streams:
- Seasonal anime
- Simulcasts
- Exclusive anime events
before they become available on some international platforms.
Students Planning to Study in Japan
Following Japanese media can help students understand:
- Current trends
- Daily life
- Popular culture
- Contemporary language
before arriving in Japan.
Overseas Japanese Residents
Many people living abroad use ABEMA to stay connected with Japanese entertainment and news.
How Is ABEMA Different from TVer?
Many viewers compare TVer and ABEMA because both offer free Japanese content.
TVer
Best for:
- TV dramas
- Variety shows
- Network television programs
Access outside Japan is generally limited.
ABEMA
Best for:
- Anime
- Live channels
- Original programming
- News
- Sports
Some content can be viewed internationally.
Because of this, ABEMA is often easier to use overseas than TVer.
Other Japanese Streaming Services Worth Exploring
If you enjoy ABEMA, you may also be interested in:
TVer
Free Japanese television from major broadcasters.
How to Watch TVer Outside Japan (2026 Guide)
Final Thoughts
ABEMA is more open to overseas viewers than most Japanese streaming services, but its most popular shows still sit behind Japan-only restrictions, and its VPN detection tends to catch shared or previously flagged IPs quickly.
If you’re just checking out a show, a decent VPN with a reasonable pool of Japan servers is usually enough. But if you’re planning to use ABEMA regularly, a Japan VPS or VPS + VPN combo gives you a dedicated IP that isn’t shared with VPN users, making it far less likely to be blocked.
Our Japan VPS plans are built for exactly this kind of long-term access. We also offer dedicated VPS plans with a pre-configured VPN included, which you can view here.
FAQ
Q1. Can I watch ABEMA outside Japan?
Some ABEMA content can be accessed from outside Japan, but availability varies by program. Certain shows, live channels, sports, anime, and original programs may be restricted to viewers with a Japan-based IP address because of licensing and distribution rights.
Q2. Why does ABEMA say that content is not available in my region?
ABEMA applies regional restrictions based on the viewer’s IP address and the distribution rights for each program. If a title is licensed only for Japan, it may not play when ABEMA detects an overseas IP address.
Q3. Can I use a VPN to watch ABEMA from overseas?
A VPN with servers in Japan may provide a Japanese IP address, but access is not guaranteed. Streaming services may identify and restrict shared or known VPN IP addresses, so availability can vary depending on the VPN provider and server being used.
Q4. Is a Japan VPS different from a VPN for accessing ABEMA?
Yes. A standard VPN routes your traffic through a shared VPN server, while a Japan VPS gives you access to a virtual machine hosted in Japan, typically with its own IP address. You can either browse directly from the VPS or, if supported, configure it to route traffic from your own device.
Looking for a Japan-Based VPS?
If you regularly access Japanese online services from overseas, a Japan-based VPS gives you a dedicated remote Windows environment hosted in Japan. Compare available plans, resources, and connection options to find a setup that fits your needs.