International exchange
Digital Nomad Kyoto
Digital Nomad Kyoto × Miyako de IT
International co-working sessions where overseas digital nomads and Kyoto IT engineers meet
Overview
- Category
- International exchange
- Period
- 2024–present
- Venue
- Butsugenji Temple (Rokkaku Aburanokoji) and other venues
- Audience
- Overseas digital nomads and IT engineers and designers based in or visiting Kyoto
- Format
- Co-hosted co-working study sessions and networking events
Challenge before the collaboration
Designing a setting where IT engineers and nomadic workers from Japan and abroad can meet naturally.
What we did
- 1Regularly co-hosted bilingual co-working study sessions in the main hall of Butsugenji Temple
- 2Ran introductions and lightning talks in both Japanese and English to lower language barriers
- 3Selected a distinctly Kyoto venue—a temple—to make the participant experience memorable
Miyako de IT’s role
Coordination with Butsugenji Temple and on-site operations
Recruitment of IT engineers in Kyoto
Maintaining ongoing relationships after each event
Outcomes
Quantitative outcomes
20+ and ongoing
Regular co-hosted events
10–20
Participants per event
Europe, North America, Asia, and more
Origins of overseas participants
Qualitative outcomes
- • Kyoto IT professionals gained routine opportunities to encounter international approaches to work and careers
- • Overseas participants increasingly experience Kyoto not only as a destination, but as a city where they can work
- • The temple setting became a memorable part of the event brand
What comes next
- • Continue reciprocal participant referrals with international communities
- • Share practical information on Kyoto bases for digital nomads within the community
Organizations this model suits
Organizations that want to host international technical exchange in Kyoto
Partners seeking to engage overseas talent through work and longer stays rather than tourism alone
Communities centered on crossing language and cultural boundaries
Related collaboration options
Discuss a similar collaboration
This case also began with one conversation. We design collaboration around each organization’s themes and challenges. You can also join an event first to experience the community.
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Venue collaboration
Turning a temple into a place for technical focus and exchange through a distinctly Kyoto venue partnership
Regional pilot
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