Head of Design Salary in Kyōto, Japan
Design salaries in Kyoto are relatively high. Mid‑level heads of design earn ¥6,200,000 per year. Living costs in Kyoto differ from those in Tokyo.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
¥4,200,000 to ¥5,400,000
Average (per year)
¥4,800,000
Recent hires in Arashiyama work on design projects.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
¥5,400,000 to ¥7,000,000
Average (per year)
¥6,200,000
Mid-level professionals work on projects in the Kyoto region.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
¥7,000,000 to ¥9,000,000
Average (per year)
¥8,050,000
Senior heads oversee larger design projects.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
¥9,000,000+
Principal-level leaders in Arashiyama negotiate higher salaries. Salaries of 8 million yen are offered by major tourism and tech employers.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
¥2250 - ¥3100
per hour
Mid-level
¥3150 - ¥4400
per hour
Senior
¥4450 - ¥5700
per hour
Nationally, heads of design average around ¥7,800,000, so Kyoto sits below the top tier but remains competitive after cost adjustments.