Japan trip checklist · Netflix
Netflix on a Japan Trip: Your Pre-Flight and On-the-Ground Checklist
A Japan trip has plenty of downtime on trains, in hotel rooms and on flights, so it makes sense to have Netflix ready. This checklist runs in order: before you leave, while you are in Japan, and when you check out.
The Netflix facts come from Netflix's own help centre: libraries vary by country, and a VPN may affect what plays. XPASS does not include a Netflix subscription, so you need your own account.
Sort your account, downloads and payment method before leaving home
Netflix says the library you see can differ by country, so Japan may not match home
Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi, but Netflix says it may reduce what you can watch or stop playback
Before you leave: account and downloads
Do this at home on a reliable connection.
- Update the Netflix app on your phone or tablet and make sure you are signed in.
- Check your payment method. Netflix says gift cards and some cash payment methods vary by country and may not work.
- Download what you want for flights and trains, and play one to test, because Netflix says downloads may be unavailable in another country.
- Turn on two-step verification for your email and have a way to receive codes that does not depend on a home SMS number if you will not have roaming.
- Buy your VPN pass close to departure. Validity starts when the account is created, not at first connection. Test it once at home.
Will the Netflix library in Japan match home?
Not necessarily. Netflix's help page says streaming and download choices, including audio and subtitle options, vary by country. A show you are midway through may not be offered in Japan, and you may see titles you cannot get at home.
Netflix originals that Netflix licenses worldwide (it names Squid Game and Stranger Things) are generally available regardless of country.
Maturity ratings also differ by country, so if you use parental controls on a kids' profile, check it once you arrive.
If you are interested in Japanese television itself, see Japanese TV streaming.
Hotel rooms and TVs in Japan
Netflix says you can sign in on new TVs such as those in hotels and rentals. If you do:
- Sign in only when you need to, and decline saving the password.
- Sign out before every checkout.
- If you forget, open Manage Access and Devices in your Netflix account and sign out of that device, or sign out of all devices. Netflix notes devices can take up to 48 hours to appear.
- If in doubt, use your own phone or tablet instead of the room TV.
More on hotel networks in Netflix on hotel Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi on the road and staying safe
On a trip you will probably use airport, hotel, café or other public Wi-Fi, all networks someone else runs. Watch out for fake hotspots with look-alike names and fake sign-in pages.
Good habits help most: confirm the network name with staff, avoid signing in to sensitive accounts on networks you do not trust, and turn on two-step verification. A VPN encrypts your device's connection, reducing what others on the same network can see, but it does not stop phishing. See staying safer on public Wi-Fi and connecting to a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
Airports, stations and Wi-Fi pages you must accept
Public Wi-Fi in Japan, for example at airports and stations, often shows a page asking you to accept terms or register before you get online. This is called a captive portal.
- Turn the VPN off before connecting. If the registration page does not appear, switch the VPN off temporarily, finish the page, then turn it back on.
- Match the network name to the venue's signs. A similar-looking name may belong to someone else.
- Give only what is needed. A page that asks for an email password or card details is not normal. Close it.
- Use mobile data or an eSIM for important tasks such as banking or changing passwords.
- Forget the network afterwards so your phone does not rejoin it automatically.
The US FTC says public Wi-Fi is usually safe because most sites use encryption, but advises looking for the lock or https. Encryption does not protect against scam sites.
VPN and Netflix: know this before you switch it on
Netflix says that with a VPN you may only be shown titles it has worldwide licensing for, and that you may need to turn the VPN off to watch titles available in your region. It also says VPNs are not supported for live events or ad-supported plans.
In other words, a VPN connection may change what Netflix shows or block playback. XPASS has not recorded a passing Netflix test and makes no promises. A sensible approach is to use the VPN on public Wi-Fi and turn it off when you want Netflix to show the library for the country you are in. If you see "You seem to be using a VPN or proxy", turn the VPN off and try again, and check fast.com as Netflix suggests.
Quick troubleshooting table
| Symptom | What Netflix says | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| "You seem to be using a VPN or proxy" (E106) | Your device or network may look as if it connects from elsewhere | Open fast.com. If the country shown is not where you are, turn the VPN off and retry |
| The same message without your own VPN | Some antivirus software includes a built-in VPN | Check your security software settings |
| Titles differ from home | The catalogue depends on the country you are in | Turn the VPN off to see the region's titles |
| A download is unavailable | Downloads may not be available in some countries | Check what can be downloaded there |
Choosing a pass for your trip length
| Trip | Option |
|---|---|
| A short trip of 3 to 7 days | 7-day pass |
| About a month of travel or work | 30-day pass |
| Study or a stay of several months | 90-day pass |
XPASS is a one-time payment with no automatic renewal. If you need more time you can renew and the remaining days are kept. Prices are shown on each pass page.
Devices covered
- iPhone and iPad
- Android phones and tablets
- Windows
- macOS
How to set it up
Prepare your account and downloads at home
Update the Netflix app, download titles and play one to test.
Choose a pass and open My Pass
Pay once. When the pass is ready you get an email with a one-time sign-in link. Login details only appear on My Pass.
Test before you fly
Connect once at home and check it using this guide.
Once in Japan
Turn the VPN on for public Wi-Fi. If Netflix will not play, turn it off and retry. Sign out of hotel TVs before checkout.
Limitations to know first
- XPASS does not include a Netflix subscription or any streaming subscription.
- Netflix libraries vary by country because of licensing, and a VPN server in a country does not prove a streaming service will work.
- Netflix may detect or restrict VPN connections. A VPN may reduce what you can watch or block playback, and live events and ad-supported plans do not support VPNs.
- XPASS has not recorded a compatibility test result with Netflix.
- Follow the service's terms of use and local law in Japan.
Choose your pass
Prepaid passes. Pay once, no automatic renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch Netflix on a trip to Japan?
Yes. Netflix says you can use it on mobile devices and computers while travelling and sign in on new TVs such as hotel TVs, but the titles may differ from home.
Should I download shows before I go?
Yes, and test one, because Netflix says downloads may be unavailable in another country.
Do I need a VPN to watch Netflix in Japan?
No. A VPN is useful on public Wi-Fi, but Netflix says it may limit you to globally licensed titles. If playback fails, turn the VPN off.
Which pass suits a 5-day trip?
The 7-day pass covers a short trip. Buy it close to departure because validity starts when the account is created.
What if I forget to sign out of the hotel TV?
Sign the device out from Manage Access and Devices in your Netflix account, or sign out of all devices, and consider changing your password.
Why does the airport Wi-Fi login page not appear with the VPN on?
Public Wi-Fi registration pages may not load while a VPN is on. Turn the VPN off briefly, finish the page, then turn it back on.
Keep reading
Ready when you are
Pick a pass, pay once and follow the setup shown in My Pass for your device.
See passes and pricing