Working in Kansai: The Best Tech Companies in Osaka and Kyoto

Tokyo often takes the spotlight when it comes to Japan’s tech scene. But let’s not forget about the Kansai region, home to Japan’s second-largest metropolis including major cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.

The region is also home base for countless tech companies with incredible opportunities for software engineers. Let’s take a deeper look into what Kansai has to offer! 

What is Living in Kansai Like?

Pros: Lifestyle and living costs

Kansai life comes with a lot of perks. The lifestyle is more laid-back and the cities are far less crowded. The locals have a reputation for being friendly, funny, and outgoing. And the area is packed to the brim with world-class cultural sites and amazing attractions.

And to make things even better, the cost of living is significantly lower than in Tokyo. Rent in Kansai can be anywhere between 30% to 40% cheaper.

For reference, here is a comparison of Tokyo and Osaka’s average monthly rental costs.

Keep in mind that these are very rough estimates. Actual rent prices can vary dramatically based on the exact location, building quality, and tons of other factors. But in nearly all cases, your hard-earned yen is likely to go much further in Kansai.

Cons: Limited opportunities and wages

An unavoidable fact of life in Japan is that so many things are concentrated in Tokyo. 

Kansai is still a huge metropolitan area with tons of established companies, but there are far fewer job opportunities when compared to the capital. You’ll need to put a bit more effort into your job search if you’re considering life outside of Tokyo.

Salaries also tend to be lower. The average annual salary in Tokyo is 6,200,000 yen whereas Osaka’s is 5,250,000 yen - about an 18% difference.

Again, take these numbers with a grain of salt as they are rough estimates. Employees’ actual salaries will vary significantly based on factors like industry, profession, experience, and age.

Other factors to consider

Tech companies actively recruiting global talent tend to have larger budgets, and generally offer salaries much higher than average. So if you’re an experienced software professional looking to relocate to Kansai, you have a good chance of landing an offer that will let you live an extremely comfortable lifestyle— thanks to the region’s lower cost of living.

Another important point to consider is that positions in Kansai are more likely to require Japanese proficiency. Since the international talent pool in Kansai is significantly smaller than in Tokyo, it’s likely that the majority of your coworkers will be Japanese, requiring daily communication in that language. 

This is gradually changing as more companies adopt global environments, but having Japanese abilities will really help you get your foot in the door.

If you think Kansai life is right for you, then there are quite a few opportunities out there. To get you started, here’s a list of some of the top tech companies in Osaka and Kyoto!

Outside the Nintendo Headquarters in Kyoto

Nintendo

Arguably the most iconic video game company in the world, Nintendo needs no introduction. This company established its headquarters in Kyoto way back in 1889, and continues operating in the ancient capital to this day.

Gaming companies tend to have a reputation for long hours and poor wages, but Nintendo is a notable exception. Known for generous pay and benefits, excellent working conditions, and extremely high employee retention, Nintendo is considered one of the most desirable places to work in Japan.

This begs the question: Can non-Japanese software engineers get hired here?

The answer is, of course!

The competition is tough, and Nintendo understandably is very selective about who they hire. Fluency in Japanese is also necessary, with the company listing JLPT N1 level Japanese (or equivalent fluency) as a requirement for many roles. 

However, qualified applicants are welcome to apply for a huge range of software jobs. This includes roles in game development, frontend, backend, mobile, DevOps, QA, product management, and many more. The company also has a Tokyo office for those who prefer to work in the capital. 

Working at Nintendo might sound like a crazy dream for game lovers, but it’s absolutely possible! 

Nintendo’s open positions are available on their career homepage (Japanese only).

MoneyForward

MoneyForward is one of Japan’s leading FinTech companies, known for their personal finance and accounting apps. They’re one of the country's most successful startups and are undergoing an English transformation.

The company is headquartered in Tokyo but has offices in several other major cities, including Osaka and Kyoto. Both Kansai offices are expanding and actively recruiting engineers.

Language requirements will vary based on the exact team and location, but the company actively provides Japanese education support and translation/interpretation services to bridge language gaps. 

For tech professionals interested in FinTech and Kansai life, MoneyForward is an excellent option and has plenty of open positions.

Mico

Mico develops various products to strengthen communication between brands and customers. Based in Osaka, it’s a rapidly growing company that has adopted a global work environment.

Outside of Japan, the company has established engineering teams in India and The Philippines. They have plans to further expand, and are actively looking for bilingual members who can work on product development while maintaining communication with teams located around the world.

Complete fluency in Japanese is not required, but a combination of high-level English and conversational Japanese is preferred.

Mico has open positions in its Osaka headquarters and Tokyo branch.

ACTUAL

ACTUAL is a startup in Kyoto with the futuristic goal of bridging the gap between the real world and virtual reality.

The company’s flagship product is a SaaS that lets users create and distribute 360-degree content. It’s been utilized by major companies and universities to deliver digital experiences that would normally be impossible online, like VR test driving, immersive art galleries, and more.

ACTUAL is looking for software engineers, designers, and marketing directors. Japanese proficiency is helpful for communication but is not a strict requirement. If you’re excited to work with all sorts of cutting-edge technology, you might be interested in some of their open positions.

Rokken

Rokken is a software company formed by members with academic backgrounds from Osaka Prefecture University. The company is based in Sakai, the second most populated city in the prefecture right after Osaka City.

Rokken takes a research-oriented approach to software development, emphasizing the use of technologies like AI and computer graphics. They also develop software for medical devices, having established strong partnerships with some of Japan’s top medical companies.

Rokken has a highly international team, doesn’t require Japanese fluency, and offers relocation support as well as other generous benefits. 

You can learn more about the company here.

KINTO Technologies

Part of the Toyota Group, KINTO Technologies (KTC) develops software to support Toyota’s mobility initiatives. The company has released several apps providing services like car subscriptions, used car marketplaces, maintenance and insurance coverage, and more. 

KTC has a significant number of non-Japanese members, emphasizing diversity in the workplace and communication across language barriers. Several teams operate primarily in English, while others use a mix of English and Japanese. 

The company established its head office in Nagoya, along with additional offices in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. The Osaka location is also known as the “Osaka Tech Lab” and is recruiting engineers. You can check out KTC’s career page here.

Capcom

Another gaming powerhouse, Capcom is the company behind beloved franchises like Street Fighter, Megaman, Monster Hunter, and many more. The company headquarters are in Central Osaka.

Capcom has open positions for game engineers, web and infrastructure engineers, project managers, and more. High-level fluency in Japanese isn’t necessarily required, but they do mention “Japanese ability or a willingness to learn” on their career site as an important quality in candidates. 

The company is becoming increasingly international, with 6.8% of its workforce made up of foreign employees (with 216 non-Japanese employees according to a recent report). There are also active efforts to promote foreign members to management positions.

The company also provides relocation support for employees hired from outside of Japan, along with Japanese language education programs. 

You can check out Capcom’s recruitment website if you’re interested in working on some legendary gaming franchises!

Universal Studios Japan

In addition to being the most visited theme park in Asia, USJ is also one of the biggest employers in the Kansai region.

The company recently established its Digital and Technology Team, which aims to renew the park’s tech infrastructure. This involves improving the official app used by visitors, overhauling the ticketing system, and improving other visitor-facing technology.

The team is international and is actively looking for globally-minded talent. As the job requires communication with Universal’s US headquarters along with the local Japanese staff, it’s an exciting and global environment.

Communication within development teams is mainly in English, although having Japanese proficiency is a huge plus and also a requirement for certain roles.

Being a newly formed organization, the Digital and Technology Team is actively recruiting for various positions including software engineering, PMO, and more.

Wrap-up: There are tech jobs in Kansai for foreigners!

These are just a few of many opportunities available. Although the options might not be as abundant as they are in Tokyo, they absolutely do exist. 

The key things to remember are that tech jobs in Kansai are more likely to require Japanese abilities, and that salaries can potentially be lower than Tokyo-based companies. In many cases though, your overall earnings might be the same or even higher due to the fact that the cost of living in Kansai is significantly cheaper.

If you land an offer, working in Kansai can give you an incredibly comfortable lifestyle, along with the chance to immerse yourself in a very different side of Japan.

And if you’re interested in Kansai life, don’t forget about remote opportunities. There are plenty of tech jobs in Japan allowing fully-remote work, which would let you live out your dream life in Kansai or anywhere in the country.