How to Create a Japanese U-NEXT Account (2026 Guide)

U-NEXT is a service for residents of Japan and works only in Japan. Its terms prohibit use outside Japan, and customers report that playback and login are blocked there. Outside Japan, expect that you cannot watch. Buy a code only if you are, or will be, in Japan while the code and its points are valid. This guide is based on U-NEXT’s own help pages and terms, and on customer reports where we say so, as of October 2026.

What you need

• The code from your japan-codes.com order e-mail.
• An e-mail address that can receive mail from @unext.jp and @unext-info.jp.
• A web browser. U-NEXT lists gift-code entry as a website function, and the apps are reported not to accept codes.
• A password, your gender and your date of birth. If you are under 18, U-NEXT’s terms require a parent or guardian to register.
• An internet connection in Japan for watching and, in practice, for logging in again later.
• Browser translation. Every screen is in Japanese only.

The gift-code sign-up does not ask for a phone number, a postal address, your name, an ID document or a payment card.

As of October 2026 it is not confirmed whether the exchange form and the sign-up form accept a submission from outside Japan. Both pages open abroad, but no report was found of a completed sign-up on a non-Japanese connection. Customers outside Japan who report success all used a connection through Japan (a VPN). U-NEXT’s terms prohibit technology used to access the service from outside Japan. We cannot help you find a VPN.

New account or existing one

U-NEXT asks each person to use one main account. If you already have one, add the code to it (see “Redeeming the code”). If you do not, the gift-code sign-up below creates a free account and applies the code at the same time.

Do not add a viewing code (30, 90 or 180 days) to an account that has an active monthly plan. U-NEXT says the services overlap and the code loses its value.

Creating the account

First look at what we e-mailed you. A long number made only of digits (up to 17) is a gift card number and must be exchanged first. A code of 8 letters and digits is already a U-NEXT gift code: skip to “Sign up with the 8-character code”.

Exchange the gift card number (web browser)

A limit of 45 days from purchase has been stated for these gift card numbers. It does not appear on the exchange page, and it is not confirmed for the numbers we deliver or from which date it would count. Treat it as uncertain and exchange the number as soon as you receive it.

1. Open giftcode.jp/unext, the exchange page run by InComm Japan.
2. Type your e-mail address in the box コードをお送りするメールアドレスを入力してください。 (Enter the e-mail address to send the code to).
3. Type the same address again in the box below it, 確認のため再度メールアドレスを入力してください。 (Enter the e-mail address again to confirm).
4. Type the number in 引換番号を入力してください。 (Enter the exchange number).
5. Complete the reCAPTCHA check.
6. Tick 利用規約・プライバシーポリシー を確認し、個人情報の取扱いについて同意する (I have read the terms and privacy policy and agree).
7. Press すべての利用規約に同意して引換する (Agree to all terms and exchange).
8. Wait for your 8-character U-NEXT gift code. Customers report that it arrives by e-mail.

Enter the 8-character code at U-NEXT within 45 days of the exchange.

Sign up with the 8-character code (web browser)

A gift code can be entered only once, so check the account details before you send them. Enter your true details: registering false information is a prohibited act under U-NEXT’s terms.

1. Open the U-NEXT gift code page. Do not use older links to account.unext.jp: that address is reported to show “403 Request blocked” outside Japan.
2. Press はじめてご利用の方 (First-time users).
3. Under ギフトコードの入力 (Enter gift code), type the code in ギフトコード (Gift code). Lower-case letters are accepted.
4. Under お客様情報 (Customer information), type your address in メールアドレス (E-mail address).
5. Leave メールアドレスをログインIDにする (Use e-mail address as login ID) ticked. If you untick it, set a ログインID (Login ID) of 6 to 50 half-width characters.
6. Set a パスワード (Password): 6 to 20 half-width letters and digits, with at least one of each. A hyphen is the only symbol allowed.
7. Choose 男性 (Male) or 女性 (Female).
8. Choose your date of birth in 生年月日（年） (year), 月 (month) and 日 (day).
9. Press 送信 (Send).
10. On the confirmation screen, check 特典内容の確認 (Check the benefit) and 入力情報の確認 (Check what you entered).
11. Press 送信 (Send) again. This also accepts U-NEXT’s terms.
12. When the screen reads 登録完了しました。 (Registration complete), press ホーム (Home). Your browser is now logged in.

Redeeming the code

If you signed up as above, the code is already applied. To check a point code, open ポイント (Points) in the website menu. It shows 利用可能ポイント (Available points) and 失効予定ポイント (Points due to expire). To check a viewing code, open アカウント・契約 (Account and contract), where ギフトコード見放題 (Gift code unlimited viewing) shows the end date.

Existing account (web browser)

Logging in is reported to be blocked outside Japan, so in practice this path needs a connection in Japan. U-NEXT says gift codes cannot be used on Yamada Video accounts.

1. Log in on the U-NEXT website.
2. Open the menu and choose ポイント (Points).
3. Choose ギフトコード（U-NEXTカード） (Gift code (U-NEXT card)). You can also go straight to myaccount.unext.jp/giftcode.
4. Type the code in ギフトコード (Gift code).
5. Press 次へ (Next).
6. Check 適用される特典 (Benefit to be applied).
7. Press ギフトコードを適用 (Apply gift code). The end screen reads 特典が適用されました (The benefit has been applied).

What the code gives you

• Point codes: 1 point is 1 yen. Points pay for point-priced films, dramas and anime, manga and e-books, and live-stream tickets. They cannot be used to watch unlimited (見放題) titles or to pay the monthly plan. Points expire 90 days after you enter the code and are not restored.
• Viewing codes: the unlimited catalog for the stated number of days. Some unlimited titles are excluded and paid titles cost extra. U-NEXT lists the 30-day code as including 1,200 points and the 90- and 180-day codes as including none.

Problems and fixes

• “403 ERROR … Request blocked”: reported on account.unext.jp (login and the old gift-code link) outside Japan. For sign-up, use the gift code page linked above. In practice, logging in needs a connection in Japan.
• サービスの利用は日本国内に限ります (The service can be used only in Japan), or, as customers report, 海外からのアクセスと判定したため再生できません。（467） (Cannot play because access was judged to be from overseas): your connection is not seen as Japanese. In Japan, U-NEXT says to turn off any VPN and any data-saver function in the browser or app. Outside Japan there is no supported fix.
• 8文字で入力してください (Enter 8 characters): you typed the long gift card number. Exchange it first. Type in half-width characters.
• 入力したギフトコードは存在しません。 (The gift code you entered does not exist): check each character.
• 既に適用済みです。 (Already applied): the code has been used. A code works once.
• ギフトコードの適用有効期限が過ぎています。 (The gift code has expired): expired codes are not reissued or refunded.
• A viewing code had no effect or did not extend your time: a code loses its value on an account with an active monthly plan, and a second code extends the period only if it has the same number of days and type.
• You are asked to pay: the price is higher than your point balance. The shortfall goes to a registered payment method, and U-NEXT says some overseas-issued cards cannot be used. Add another point code first.
• No e-mail: check spam and allow @unext.jp and @unext-info.jp.
• The app is not in your App Store: phones and tablets need the U-NEXT app for video, and the iPhone app is reported to be listed only in the Japanese App Store. Whether the Android app installs from a non-Japanese Google account is not confirmed. A computer browser plays video without an app.

Rules and limits worth knowing

• Residence: U-NEXT’s terms (September 14, 2026 edition) say users are limited to people residing in Japan and the service is provided only in Japan.
• Use abroad: the terms list “use of the service outside Japan and use of technology for that purpose” as a prohibited act. U-NEXT’s help page says overseas use is not supported.
• Consequences: for a breach of the terms, U-NEXT may suspend or close an account without notice and void its points. Points are not refunded.
• The one exception: titles downloaded in the U-NEXT app can be watched abroad for up to 48 hours from the start of the download.
• Deadline for a code delivered directly: for an 8-character code that needs no exchange, U-NEXT’s general rule is use by the end of the month after purchase, unless the card or the seller states another date. It is not confirmed from which purchase date this counts for a code bought through us, so enter the code as soon as you receive it.
• Some purchases need more than points: the Soccer Pack cannot be bought with gift-code points alone. Since July 1, 2026, accounts that use only point codes cannot issue cinema ticket coupons.
• No refunds: gift codes cannot be cashed out, reissued or refunded.
• Accounts are personal: lending, transferring or selling an account is not allowed.

FAQ

Can I watch U-NEXT from outside Japan?

Not by streaming. The only use abroad that U-NEXT describes is watching titles already downloaded in the app, for up to 48 hours from the start of the download. U-NEXT does not say whether a download can be started abroad.

Do I need a Japanese phone number or card?

No. The gift-code sign-up form asks for neither. A phone number is needed only for optional features such as cinema coupons, and that form accepts only Japanese numbers.

Will the code start a paid subscription?

No. Registration is free and never moves to the paid monthly plan by itself. A gift code does not renew and there is nothing to cancel.

Does a gift-code sign-up include the free trial?

Reports say it does not. Customers report that the normal sign-up, which carries the trial, asks for a phone number and a payment card.

My code shows an error. What should I do?

Take a screenshot of the error and write to us within 48 hours of delivery. Our FAQ explains how we handle invalid codes.

You can find point codes and viewing codes in our U-NEXT gift code category. For questions about your order, write to support@japan-codes.com.

Last updated: October 2026. Screens and menu names change. If something looks different, check the provider’s help pages linked above.