Kyoto Tech Meetup: Nov 13 Wrap-Up ☕
Highlights from the Nov 13 Kyoto Tech Meetup. AI consulting, cybersecurity in Japan, Astro.js, creative side projects, and more.
Our latest Kyoto Morning Tech & Coffee brought together founders, engineers, designers, and researchers from Kyoto and beyond. Conversation flowed between cultural differences in company structure, startup life, and good spots to co-work in Kyoto.
This meetup is always agenda-free and super casual. The only structured part is called Pick/Ask/Give. It's a fast, informal way for everyone to share what they’re looking for, what they can offer, and stuff they want others to know about.
🧩 Picks
- Astro.js — static-first web framework for fast, content-driven sites. (I built Subcurrent in Astro!)
- Markov chains — brought up in the context of algorithms that feel like AI
- Perfect Days — Wim Wenders’ film about a Tokyo toilet cleaner preparing for the Olympics
- Steam Deck and PS5 Elite Headphones — portable gaming and focus companions
- "You Should Write An Agent" — a good push for devs working with AI
- "Quietly intelligent app features with OpenAI Agent Builder" — sorry, I picked my own article! But! It was relevant, I swear.
- Visual Types — A TypeScript learning tool.
- Tauri — Build desktop apps with Rust and React.
💡 Asks
- AI consulting and job leads — looking connections, clients, or contract work in AI
- Cybersecurity in Japan — looking for industry opportunities, local regulations, and professional networks
- High-agency collaborators — looking for people with taste and initiative for creative AI projects
- Relocating to Kyoto — insight on transitioning from abroad
- pDoom — "What's your probability of doom?" Sharing predictions and perspectives on existential AI risk
🤝 Gives
- Part-time engineering work available — Kyoto-based startup looking for part-time engineers
- Design help — offering visual and marketing support from an experienced designer
- Collaboration — joining or co-building side projects in AI and web development
- GPU access — shared compute for local projects (See: “Zoltan’s flops”)
- Discounts on starmaps — check out Under Lucky Stars
We wrapped up with a chat about doing some community hack time.
It’s been energizing to see this group keep growing. If you’d like to join next time, check out:
👉 Kyoto Tech Meetup on Meetup.com
👉 Kyoto Tech Meetup on Discord
See you at the next one!
- Ash