What's available

If you're in Japan and trying to access Channel 4's streaming platform, All 4, you'll find the service is geo-blocked by default. However, with the right setup, you can unlock a reasonable library. Content that becomes accessible includes classic British dramas like Skins, Misfits, and Hollyoaks, alongside reality staples like Gogglebox and The Great British Bake Off (earlier series). Films from the Walter Presents international drama collection are also available, including acclaimed series like Spiral and Dark.

What you're missing

Compared to the full UK All 4 library, viewers in Japan miss out on a significant chunk of Channel 4's best content. Key titles unavailable without a UK connection include:

  • It's a Sin — Russell T Davies' acclaimed HIV crisis drama
  • Derry Girls — the beloved Northern Irish comedy series
  • Taskmaster — live episodes and full back catalogue
  • Catastrophe — Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's sitcom
  • The Undeclared War — Channel 4's high-budget cyber-thriller
  • Live and catch-up coverage of Channel 4 News and major sports events

How to access other regions

To unlock the full UK All 4 library from Japan, you need a VPN. A VPN masks your real location and assigns you an IP address from another country. Here's how to get started:

  • Download and install a VPN — we recommend NordVPN as the most reliable option for streaming
  • Connect to a UK server — London servers typically give the best performance
  • Open All 4 in your browser or app and sign up for a free account
  • Stream as if you were sitting in the UK

NordVPN consistently bypasses All 4's geo-restrictions and offers fast UK server speeds, making it ideal for HD streaming from Japan.

Pricing

All 4 itself is free with ads, so you won't pay anything for the streaming service. NordVPN plans start at approximately ¥600–¥800 per month on a long-term plan, though pricing varies based on promotions. Check NordVPN's site for the latest deals in Japanese yen.

Our recommendation

If you're based in Japan and want full access to Channel 4's library — including It's a Sin, Derry Girls, and live Channel 4 programming — pairing the free All 4 account with NordVPN connected to a UK server is your best solution. The cost is minimal and the setup takes under five minutes.