Kyoto's IT Engineering Landscape: Why the City Needs an Engineer Community
This is an opinion article about why Kyoto needs an IT engineering community, based on the structure and culture of the city's technology sector. For practical data on companies and salaries, see The Complete Guide to IT Engineers in Kyoto and 20 IT Companies with Headquarters or Major Offices in Kyoto.
Where Kyoto's IT industry stands
Kyoto is home to the headquarters of globally recognized technology companies including Nintendo, OMRON, Kyocera, and Murata Manufacturing. Startup activity has also increased in recent years, with KOIN and Kyoto Research Park (KRP) serving as innovation hubs.
Working as an IT engineer in Kyoto
Advantages
- Lower living costs than Tokyo: rent is roughly 60–70% of Tokyo levels.
- An environment shaped by history and culture: the city can be a source of inspiration for work.
- Connections with universities: major research institutions such as Kyoto University and Doshisha University are concentrated here.
- A compact city: many important places are within cycling distance.
Challenges
- A smaller absolute number of IT engineers: both jobs and talent are more limited than in Tokyo.
- Fewer study sessions and events: the number is less than one-tenth of Tokyo's.
- Too few networking opportunities: remote workers in particular can become isolated.
The role of a community
Miyako de IT was founded in 2019 to address these challenges for IT engineers in Kyoto.
- Reducing isolation: a place where people who usually work alone can meet once or twice a month.
- Exchanging information: sharing the realities of Kyoto's IT sector, job changes, side work, and freelancing.
- Building careers: relationships with more experienced engineers can provide people to consult about changing jobs or starting a business.
- Contributing locally: applying technology to regional challenges through municipal collaboration, hackathons, and similar projects.
Finding fellow IT engineers in Kyoto
Miyako de IT is an active Kyoto IT community with more than 615 members. It holds monthly mokumoku work sessions at temples and traditional townhouses.Many people also join from Osaka and Shiga, and the community has grown into a hub for IT engineers across Kansai. You are welcome to join through connpass.
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Source data
The figures cited in this article are based on primary data in the Miyako de IT annual statistics report. It publishes yearly event counts, venue distribution, and event-format data.
Written by
Tomohiro Iida