How to Start a Business in Kyoto | Support Programs, Locations & Housing

Kyoto brings universities, research institutes, manufacturers, and cultural industries close together. It suits people who want to compete on what they create rather than sheer scale. We look not only at starting a company, but also at how to combine your business base and home.

Decide firstCustomers & business model

拠点候補KRP, south of Kyoto Station, central Kyoto

行政支援Check application timing and conditions

1. Before starting in Kyoto, decide who you will sell what to

Incorporation is only the starting point. First ask whether your customers are in Kyoto, whether you need links to universities or research institutes, or whether the business is online and nationwide. The nature of the work should drive whether you locate near Kyoto Station, Kyoto Research Park, or a central district such as Shijo-Karasuma.

2. Kyoto has support programs and spaces for entrepreneurs

Kyoto City and the Advanced Scientific Technology & Management Research Institute of Kyoto (ASTEM) support startups. In the FY2026 program “IMPACT FLOW KYOTO 2026-2027” offered up to ¥500,000 in the startup-support category and up to ¥2 million in the STEP-UP category, plus mentoring and, for eligible recipients, support to use the STC3 coworking space where company registration is possible.

注意：This is an example from the FY2026 round, whose application period has ended. Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines change by year, so always check Kyoto City's latest call before applying.

3. Choose your business base by who you need to meet

Kyoto Research Park / TambaguchiGood for connections to R&D, technology businesses, and startup communities.

京都駅南Good for travel-heavy businesses using Shinkansen, JR, and Kintetsu, or teams with frequent movement in and out of the city.

Shijo-Karasuma / Karasuma-OikeConvenient for businesses with frequent client visits, professional services, or recruiting interviews.

Home + small officeAn option that keeps fixed costs low and prioritizes testing the business before taking a larger office.

4. Do not plan the business and housing separately

Right after launch, monthly fixed costs directly affect how long the business can survive. A convenient office does not help if housing cost and commute time become too heavy. Think in terms of “office rent + home rent,” for example by living near the workspace or along a subway line that simplifies travel.

5. Basic steps to starting a business in Kyoto

Define the business and customers
Confirm why you need to be in Kyoto and how you will reach the first sale.

Build a financial plan
Budget not only registration costs but also 6–12 months of fixed business and living expenses.

Check support programs and advisers
Check the latest information for programs that fit your eligibility.

Search for office and home together
Design business and daily-life routes together.

START YOUR LIFE IN KYOTO

Plan your start in Kyoto beginning with location.

When you reach the stage of choosing a home, shop, office, or relocation property, contact SHUJU. We can help organize your requirements and turn them into a search for the right base in Kyoto.

Contact SHUJU →

Sources and official references

Descriptions of programs, support, and permits are based on public information checked as of August 19, 2026. Rules may change, so always confirm the latest official information before applying, signing, renovating, or opening a business.