What's available

Hulu Japan is a separate service from Hulu US, operated by Nippon TV. The library leans heavily toward Japanese content, but there's still plenty to watch. You'll find popular Japanese dramas, anime titles like Attack on Titan and Naruto, and a solid selection of Hollywood films. International series including Prison Break, 24, and Suits are available, along with Korean dramas that have become a major draw for subscribers. Reality content and variety shows round out the Japanese-language catalog.

What you're missing

The gap between Hulu Japan and Hulu US is significant. You won't find Hulu Originals like The Handmaid's Tale, Only Murders in the Building, or The Bear on the Japanese platform. Live TV, which is a core feature of Hulu US, is completely absent. Current-season episodes of US network shows such as Abbott Elementary and Grey's Anatomy are not available. The add-on channels like HBO, Showtime, and Disney Bundle options that make Hulu US so versatile simply don't exist here.

How to access other regions

If you want to unlock the full Hulu US library while living in or visiting Japan, a VPN is your best option. A VPN masks your real location by routing your connection through a server in another country.

  • Download and install a reliable VPN app on your device
  • Connect to a server located in the United States
  • Open Hulu — it will now detect a US IP address and grant access to the US catalog

We recommend NordVPN as the top choice. It offers fast US servers, strong unblocking performance on streaming platforms, and apps for every major device.

Pricing

Hulu Japan charges ¥1,026 per month for the standard plan. A live TV add-on called the Hulu TV Pack is available for an additional fee, offering some broadcast content. Pricing is subject to change, so check the official Hulu Japan site for the latest rates before subscribing.

Our recommendation

If you're based in Japan and primarily enjoy Japanese dramas, anime, and Korean content, Hulu Japan delivers solid value at a reasonable price. However, if you're an expat or traveler who wants access to Hulu Originals and the full US library, you'll need NordVPN to bridge the gap. Connect to a US server, and you get the complete experience you'd expect back home.