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Introducing recommended video streaming in Japan! Also explains how to watch TV you missed!

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A wide variety of video streaming services (VOD) are available in Japan, allowing you to enjoy domestic and international movies, dramas, animations, variety shows, and more anytime, anywhere. By paying a monthly fee, you can watch a wide variety of content as much as you like. Another major feature of this service is that each company produces and distributes its own original productions, so you can enjoy programs that cannot be seen anywhere else.

In addition to enjoying entertainment, these services can also be of great help in learning Japanese. By watching Japanese dramas and animations, you can learn natural conversational expressions and phrases, and improve your listening skills.

This article introduces popular video streaming services in Japan and explains how to watch TV programs you may have missed. Please refer to it and find the service that suits you best.

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Features of Video Streaming Services

Video streaming services have the following characteristics

You can watch it anywhere you like.

The greatest advantage of video streaming services is that you can watch your favorite videos anytime and anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection. You can use the service in your living room at home, on the train while commuting to work or school, in the office during breaks, or in a hotel while traveling, regardless of where you are.

We have our own distribution.

Another attraction of video streaming services is that each company competes to produce and distribute its own original content. These include tie-ups with popular actors and creators, topical drama series, large-scale reality shows, and other programs that cannot be found anywhere else.

Some services have a free trial period.

Many video streaming services offer a free trial period. During this period, you can use all the features of the service without paying a monthly fee. You may want to try more than one service to find the one that is right for you.

Recommended videos come up.

Many video streaming services offer video recommendations based on viewing history and preferences, and advanced AI-based recommendation features increase the potential for users to discover interesting films they may have missed or programs that match new interests.

Recommended Video Streaming Services in Japan

There are many video streaming services in Japan, each with different features and strengths. The following is a list of some of the most representative services.

service nameMonthly Fee (tax included)Free Trial PeriodNumber of all-you-can-watch movies
NetflixStandard with ads: 790 yen
Standard: 1,490 yen
Premium pu: 1,980 yen		nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta)private
Amazon Prime Video600 yen (Amazon Prime member)30 daysprivate
Hulu1,026 yen1 monthMore than 140,000 works
ABEMA Premium960 yen2 weeksMore than 30,000 works
U-NEXT2,189 yen31 daysMore than 350,000 works
DMM Premium550 yen30 daysMore than 190,000 works
TELASA618 yen2 weeksprivate

1. Netflix

Netflix, the world's largest video streaming service, is also popular in Japan. It is characterized by the abundance and quality of its original productions. Foreign dramas such as "Stranger Things" and "Welcome to the Ozarks" and Japanese originals such as "The Naked Director" and "The House of Ninja" have attracted a lot of attention. There are three price plans to choose from, depending on picture quality and number of devices.

For more information: ▶︎ Netflix

2. Amazon Prime Video

This video streaming service is included in Amazon Prime, Amazon's paid membership service. Prime members can use the service at no additional charge. Popular reality shows such as "Bachelor Japan" and comedy shows such as "HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental" are exclusively available.

For more information: ▶︎ Amazon Prime Video

3. Hulu

Hulu offers a wide range of genres, including foreign and domestic dramas, variety shows, and animations, and features many programs from the Nippon Television network, as well as original stories from dramas broadcast on terrestrial TV. In particular, there is a large number of drama productions, and both new and old productions are available for unlimited viewing.

For more information: ▶︎ Hulu

4. ABEMA Premium (ABEMA)

ABEMA Premium offers a wide variety of programming on approximately 20 channels, including more than 5,000 original contents, dramas, music, and sports programs. In particular, the largest anime channel in Japan boasts a broad lineup, from popular works such as "Blade of the Demon" and "Sword Art Online" to simultaneous terrestrial broadcasts of the latest TV anime, and boasts the world's No. 1 fastest anime distribution, making it an unmissable service for anime fans.

For more information: ▶︎ ABEMA

U-NEXT

With more than 200,000 titles available, U-NEXT offers a particularly extensive lineup of Japanese and foreign films and animations. In addition, you can read as many magazines and books as you want. Using the points granted every month, you can enjoy the latest movies and dramas at no extra charge.

For more information: ▶︎ U-NEXT

6. DMM Premium (DMM TV)

DMM TV is a video delivery service that offers a full lineup of anime and entertainment titles. By signing up for DMM Premium, you can enjoy unlimited access to the hottest new anime, DMM TV original variety dramas, exclusive releases, live-action dramas, movies, and more.

For more information: ▶︎ DMM Premium

7. TELASA

TELASA offers a wide variety of variety and drama productions, ranging from popular Japanese detective dramas such as the "Partners" series and "Forensic Woman" to popular Asian productions such as Thai and Korean dramas.

These services often offer a free trial period, so we recommend trying more than one service to find the one that best suits your preferences.

For more information: ▶︎ TELASA

How to Watch Missed TV in Japan

If you miss a TV show, you can still watch it later by using a video streaming service. Here are some of the missed programs offered by major TV stations.

service namesummary
TVerA free missed program delivery service jointly operated by five Tokyo-based commercial broadcasters. Programs within one week of broadcast can be viewed for free.
NHK On DemandThis is a service that allows you to watch NHK programs on a subscription basis. Some programs can be viewed for free, but many programs require paid membership registration.
FOD PremiumFuji Television Network, Inc. is a paid video distribution service operated by Fuji Television Network, Inc. The service offers missed programs and exclusive distribution of mainly Fuji Television's programs.
TELASAThis is a service that offers missed programs mainly from the TV Asahi network. The service offers missed programs of popular TV Asahi variety shows and topical dramas.

1. TVer

This is a free service jointly operated by five Tokyo-based commercial broadcasters (Nippon Television Network Corporation, TV Asahi, TBS TV, TV Tokyo, and Fuji Television Network, Inc. You can watch programs within one week of broadcast for free. A wide range of programs are available, including news programs, variety shows, and animations.

For more information: ▶︎ TVer

2. NHK On Demand

This service allows you to watch NHK programs that you have missed. Some programs can be viewed for free, but many require paid membership registration. Popular programs include historical dramas, TV series, and documentaries.

For more information: ▶︎ NHK On Demand

3. FOD Premium

Fuji Television Network, Inc. is a paid video distribution service operated by Fuji Television Network, Inc. The service mainly offers Fuji Television's programs, including missed programs and exclusive delivery. Variety shows such as "Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi" and dramas such as "Confidence Man JP" are gaining popularity.

For more information: ▶︎ FOD Premium

4. telasa

The aforementioned TELASA also offers a missed program delivery service that mainly delivers programs affiliated with TV Asahi. Popular variety shows and topical dramas are also delivered immediately after broadcast, so you can catch up on programs you may have missed.

For more information: ▶︎ TELASA

Video streaming recommended for watching Japanese anime

Japanese anime is popular worldwide, and many video streaming services are putting a lot of effort into distributing it. Here are some of the services we recommend for anime fans.

service namesummary
DMM TVThe company boasts the No. 1 number of unlimited viewing of new animated films. The lineup includes a wide variety of popular works from Japan and abroad, ranging from blockbuster anime series to the hottest new releases.
Amazon Prime VideoThe number of anime titles distributed is extremely abundant. You can enjoy a wide range of works from popular works to masterpieces. Also, movie version animations are available.
U-NEXTIt has the largest number of anime titles in Japan, with over 5,000 titles available for unlimited viewing. The lineup is extremely extensive, ranging from blockbusters to classics. The company also focuses on distribution of animated movies.
NetflixKnown for its emphasis on original animation production, Netflix offers a wide selection of works that can be seen only on Netflix, satisfying a wide range of animation fans.

1. DMM TV

For anime fans, DMM TV is a highly recommended video streaming service. It boasts the No. 1 number of new anime titles available for unlimited viewing, and offers a wide variety of popular domestic and international titles.

For example, "Shinkage no Kyojin" and "Haikyu! and other blockbuster anime series, as well as the newest and most talked-about titles such as "【 Pushy Child 】" and "Sougou no Freelen". If you love anime, be sure to check out the exclusive titles available only on DMM TV.

For more information: ▶︎ DMM Premium

2. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video has a very large number of anime titles available. You can enjoy a wide range of popular works such as "Sword Art Online" and "Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu" as well as masterpieces such as "Lucky Star" and "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya". In addition, theatrical anime such as the "Rebuild of Evangelion" series are also available.

For more information: ▶︎ Amazon Prime Video

3. u-next

U-NEXT has the largest number of anime titles available in Japan, with approximately 2,500 titles available for unlimited viewing. The lineup is extremely extensive, ranging from blockbusters such as "Blade of the Demon" and "Shinketsu no Kyojin" to classics such as "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" and "Puella Magi Madoka Magica". The company also focuses on distribution of animated movies, with the "Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] the Movie" series being a popular choice.

For more information: ▶︎ U-NEXT

4. Netflix

Netflix is known for its commitment to producing original animation. There are many works that can be seen only on Netflix, such as "DEVILMAN crybaby" and "BEASTARS". Netflix also distributes anime classics such as "Neon Genesis Evangelion" and "Cowboy Bebop," and has an assortment that will satisfy a wide range of anime fans.

These services offer a free trial period, so we recommend trying more than one service to find the one that best suits your tastes. Anime fans are encouraged to check out these services.

For more information: ▶︎ Netflix

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summary

A wide variety of video streaming services (VOD) are available in Japan, allowing viewers to enjoy a wealth of content, including domestic and international movies, dramas, animations, and variety shows.

Since each service produces and distributes its own original productions, one of the appeals of this service is that you can enjoy programs that you cannot find anywhere else. Many services offer a free trial period, so it is a good idea to try multiple services to find the one that suits you best.

Video streaming services are rapidly becoming popular in Japan as a new way to enjoy entertainment. They are also useful for learning Japanese, and are recommended for foreigners studying Japanese. Why not find a service that suits your tastes and viewing style and enjoy a fulfilling video life?

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