How to Watch NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen for Free 2023 outside of Japan

The optimal method to enjoy NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen for free from outside Japan is through streaming services accessed via a VPN.

In this article, we will guide you on how to watch Kohaku Uta Gassen from abroad, including from the U.S., by utilizing a VPN service like ExpressVPN.

Streaming Services that Offer Kohaku Uta Gassen Broadcasts

The Kohaku Uta Gassen is available for streaming on NHK Plus and NHK on Demand, both of which are services operated by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). NHK Plus provides live streaming of the event for free, allowing viewers to watch the program as it airs in real-time. NHK On Demand offers a catch-up service, where you can view reruns of the broadcast at your leisure, although it is a paid subscription service.

	NHK Plus	NHK on Demand
Price	Free	990[JPY]/month
Live Streaming	Yes	–
Rerun	–	Yes

If you wish to watch Kohaku Uta Gassen from outside Japan, we recommend using NHK Plus, which offers free access to the program.

Overseas Access Restrictions on NHK Plus and NHK On Demand

Unfortunately, both NHK Plus and NHK On Demand block access from outside Japan. This restriction is based on your IP address, which identifies your internet location. Consequently, attempts to access these services from overseas are automatically blocked.

However, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) offers a solution by allowing you to disguise your IP address. By connecting through a Japanese server via VPN, you can obtain a Japanese IP address, bypassing the geographical restrictions.

The illustration demonstrates this concept: the right side depicts an actual IP address when accessed from Los Angeles, USA, while the left side shows an IP address when accessing via a Japanese server using a VPN. This way, you can appear to be in Japan and access NHKPlus and NHK On Demand, even when you’re physically outside the country.

How to Watch NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen for Free

Let’s take a step by step look at how you can watch NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen for free if you are outside of Japan using ExpressVPN, one of our recommended VPN services.

ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. So, you can enjoy movies you want without a noticeable difference in speed. After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can easily browse the internet using ExpressVPN just by downloading their app.

STEP1. Resister with ExpressVPN

To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Get ExpressVPN Today” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.

STEP2. Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in Japan

After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Next, click “…” in the app and type “Japan” in the search box. Now, you can find a server in Japan.

Select a server and click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in Japan.

STEP3. Access NHK Plus 

Navigate to the NHK Plus Kohaku Uta Gassen streaming page. With the VPN connected, you should have unrestricted access to the broadcast.

If you watch Kohaku Uta Gassen at the same time as it is broadcast on Japanese TV, you can do so without registration. But annotations will appear at the bottom right of your screen. If you want to watch using other than real-time viewing, you have to register, but it will be difficult to register from outside of Japan. You should carefully note the broadcast times.

In Japan	December 31, 2023, from 7:20 PM to 11:45 PM (JST)
In Los Angeles, U.S.	December 31, 2023, from 0:20 PM (12:20 PM) to 4:45 PM (PST)

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