Aspiring to become an interior designer in Japan? Find out the job requirements, salary of interior designers in Japan, and for those interested in study, interior design courses in Japan for international students.
First Published: 2020-12-10
Updated: 2024-05-24
Table of Contents
- A Look at Japanese Interior Design
- How to Become an Interior Designer in Japan
- Requirements for Interior Designers in Japan
- Interior Designer Salary in Japan
- 5 Interior Design Courses in Japan for International Students
- Find a Job in Japan with WeXpats
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A Look at Japanese Interior Design
Japanese interior design has its own distinct characteristics that reflect Japanese cultural values, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. Compared to Western interior design, Japanese interior design emphasises simplicity and harmony with the surrounding environment. A unique aspect of Japanese interior design is the contrast between traditional Japanese rooms and Western-style rooms that have become more common now due to their practicality. There are also interior designs where the lines between traditional and Western are blurred. Interior design for both room types however do share similar characteristics.
Space Efficiency Solutions
Homes, apartments, and offices in Japan tend to be smaller due to limited land and space. This is especially true in cities, especially Tokyo. To maximise functionality, space efficiency solutions include:
- Sliding Doors in lieu of hinged doors
- Vertical Storage with wall-mounted shelving, cabinets and storage units, sometimes up to the ceiling height
- Multi-functional Furniture like sofa beds, furniture with built-in storage, collapsible tables, etc.
Incorporates Natural Elements
Whether traditional Japanese or Western-style, Japanese interior design loves incorporating natural elements into homes and offices. The most obvious sign of this is the use of wood or wood-like materials. For Western-style homes and apartments, flooring for living areas such as bedroom, living room and study are commonly wood. There is also a high preference for wooden furniture.
As for traditional Japanese rooms, tatami flooring made up of laid tatami mats made from woven rice straw, covered with rush, and bordered with cloth adds a softness and the sights and scents of nature to the room. Tatami-flooring is characterised by its refreshing grassy smell, bringing in an element of outdoors into the room. Additionally, the usage of Shoji sliding door screens made of wooden frame and paper panels allow for natural sunlight to illuminate the room.
Minimalist Aesthetics
Japanese interior design often embraces a minimalist aesthetic, focusing on simplicity. By reducing visual clutter and excessive decoration, Japanese interior creates a sense of openness and spaciousness. This minimalist approach allows for better movement within the space, maximises the perception of space, and makes everything look cleaner and neater.
Writer's Pick
How to Become an Interior Designer in Japan
Interested in becoming an interior designer in Japan? There are many pathways to do so, from studying interior design in Japan, to joining an interior designer firm mid-career. Not to mention, the field of interior design is diverse with different specialisations.
Study Interior Design in Japan
If you are also interested in studying abroad in Japan before settling down and working here, then we suggest studying interior design in Japan. Interior design courses are available at Japanese universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools. For universities, interior design courses may be classified under the arts or construction departments. Apart from interior design, you can also study architecture, which is essential for interior design and covered in interior design courses’ curriculums. Studying architecture opens up the option of becoming an architect in Japan. Further down we introduce some interior design schools that accept international students!
Find an Interior Designer Job in Japan
Interior designer jobs for foreign nationals tend to be mid-career positions that require a minimum of 2 years work experience in the field, or more for senior positions. Minimum business-level Japanese proficiency is required for smooth work and client communication. For fresh graduates and career changers, interior designer assistant positions with less requirements are also available.
Interior Design Career Options
The interior design industry is vast with career options not limited to just becoming an interior designer. Career options for interior designers include:
- Residential or Commercial Interior Designer
- Space Designer
- Set Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Sustainable Interior Designer
- Interior Coordinator
- Interior Design Planner
- Furnitures Set Planner
- Lighting Design
- Furniture Sales and Marketing
Requirements for Interior Designers in Japan
Let’s have a closer look at the requirements to become an interior designer in Japan.
Education Background in Interior Design, Architecture or Related Field
An academic background in interior design, architecture or related fields is essential to become an interior designer in Japan. For work visa purposes, a degree or 10 years work experience in the field is required.
Minimum 2+ Years Work Experience in the Field
For mid-career interior designer positions, candidates are usually required to have at least 2 years work experience in the field. Senior interior designer positions may require much more, with many job openings listing a minimum of 5 years or even 8 years work experience.
High Level Japanese Proficiency
A minimum Japanese proficiency of business level to fluent is highly recommended as these are frequently listed as job requirements for interior designer positions. As an interior designer in Japan, not only does good Japanese facilitate smooth workplace communication, it is also important that you be able to understand client’s requests and explain your designs in Japanese. Not being proficient in Japanese will greatly limit your career options. Additionally, there are jobs that require or prefer candidates with bilingual Japanese and English skills.
Proficiency in Interior Design Software
The commonly used interior design software in Japan are AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3ds Max. Other software used include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Vectorworks, RenderWorks, Jw_cad, Shade, Clip Studio, and FormZ. Make sure to check job details for the position you are applying for to see whether your expertise matches up. Basic computer skills in using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is also highly recommended.
Japanese Interior Designer Certification (Optional)
The Japan Design Planner Association (JDP) conducts interior designer certification examinations. Three types of examinations and certifications are available for interior design:
- Spatial Display Designer (空間ディスプレイデザイナー®)
- Interior Designer
- Interior Advisor
A specialised interior designer qualification is not required to find a job in Japan but is a good way to prove your abilities to prospective employers.
Interior Designer Salary in Japan
The average salary for full time interior designers in Japan is 4 to 4.5 million yen a year, or 330,000 yen to 374,000 yen a month. For fresh graduate employees, the starting salary is around 2.4 million yen, which is 200,000 yen a month. Dispatch employees earn on average 1,700 yen an hour, or roughly 272,000 yen a month and 3.2 million yen a year if full time (8 hours a day, 20 days a month). Part time interior designers earn on average 1,200 yen an hour.
The majority of full time interior designers earn around 3.82 to 4.4 million yen a year, with the average annual salary in Japan smack dab in the middle. Factors that influence interior designers’ salaries include interior designer firm, work experience, and skills. Therefore, it can be said that the longer you work, the higher your salary will be.
5 Interior Design Courses in Japan for International Students
Want to study interior design in Japan? Vocational schools are highly recommended for those looking to work immediately after graduation. Undergraduate and postgraduate studies in interior design are available at Japanese universities. Interior design courses in Japan are taught in Japanese, so international students are required to have minimum JLPT N2 level Japanese proficiency to be eligible for enrolment.
Here are 5 interior design courses in Japan that accept international students.
Musashino Art University (武蔵野美術大学)
本日も多くの方にご来校いただいております。会場の様子を一部ご紹介します！ pic.twitter.com/N7dtQC8Wdl
— 武蔵野美術大学 (@musabi_koho) July 17, 2022
The Musashino Art University (MAU) in Kodaira City, Tokyo is one of the leading art universities in Japan. They have various departments offering courses in several fields including painting, sculpture, and of course, design and architecture. Courses are conducted in Japanese, so fluent Japanese is required.
The Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design offers an Interior Design course that focuses on commercial and living spaces, and the various elements like furniture and lighting to create an optimum living environment. The Department of Architecture offers courses in Living Design, Architectural Design, and Environmental Design that is also great education for one aspiring to become an interior designer.
For degree holders, postgraduate Master’s and Doctoral courses in interior design are available at MAU’s Graduate School of Art and Design.
Kobe Design University (神戸芸術工科大学)
【授業風景】
— 神戸芸術工科大学 | Kobe Design University (@kobe_du) May 17, 2024
青空の下、ビジュアルデザイン学科の授業が行われていました。太陽の光、自然の香り、音を感じながら、のびのびと絵を描く姿がとても気持ちよさそうでした🌞#神戸芸術工科大学#kobedesignuniversity pic.twitter.com/tUVvcCFtLZ
The Kobe Design University in Nishi-ku, Kobe is dedicated to improving and progressing artistic expression and practices that can be utilised and collaborated with various industries. They have 12 departments including a graduate school department offering a variety of courses.
Departments and courses relevant to interior designing include:
- Department of Architecture and Environmental Design
- Urban and Landscape Design
- Architecture and Renovation
- Creative Space and Interior Design
- Department of Environmental Design
- Renovation Design
- Architectural Design
- Department of Product and Interior Design
- Interior, Furniture and Woodworks
Tokyo Designer Gakuin (東京デザイナー学院)
The Tokyo Designer Gakuin College in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo is a vocational school that specialises in various fields including graphic design, movie design, product design, architectural design and interior design. From April 2024, the institution’s name will be changed to Tokyo Designer Academy (東京デザイナー・アカデミー).
The Department of Interior Design offers majors in:
- Interior Design
- Interior Coordination
- Shop Design
- Spatial Production Design
- Furniture Design
Each course or major is 2-Years in duration separated into 4 stages of learning:
- Stage 1 (first half of first year) - learn the basics of interior design
- Stage 2 (second half of first year) - acquire specialised knowledge and skills directly related to work including how to use Vectorworks and workshops
- Stage 3 (first half of second year) - acquire practical skills and utilise knowledge acquired with interior design projects
- Stage 4 (second half of second year) - prepare to graduate by creating a masterpiece that culminates your work
Official Website (Japanese only)
※ The Tokyo Designer Gakuin College has sister schools around Japan including Osaka Designers’ College, Nagoya Designer Gakuin, and Kyushu Designer Gakuin that accept international students and have interior design courses.
ICS College of Arts (専門学校ICSカレッジオブアーツ)
The ICS College of Arts in Meguro-ku, Tokyo is the first vocational school in Japan to specialise in interior design. It was founded in 1963 as the “Interior Center School” before being renamed in 1994 to “ICS College of Arts”. Interior design courses at ICS train students to work immediately after graduation.
There are 4 courses available:
- 3-Years Interior Architecture & Design to study on all aspects of interior design from furniture to architecture
- 2-Years Interior Decoration with a focus on in interior decoration and design on living and commercial spaces
- 2- Years Interior Meister Trainee to understand design and construction techniques to design and make
- 1-Year Interior Basic Course to acquire basic knowledge and understanding of interior design
ICS College of Arts holds open campus (event for potential students to visit and learn about the school) sessions for potential students to visit and enquire about courses. Workshops such as model making are also held, as well as viewing of student’s works. An open campus day especially for international students is available with English and speaking staff. Applications for individual school tours are also accepted.
Tokyo Design Academy (東京デザイン専門学校)
The Tokyo Design Academy in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo is dedicated to providing quality education in art and design. Their Harajuku campus means that students can have collaborative opportunities with shops and businesses in the Harajuku area, known for its creativity, to hone and cultivate student creativity. Courses offered at Tokyo Design Academy include visual design, creative art, graphic design, illustration, manga, animation, fashion accessories, display design, and interior design.
The interior design course is 2-years long. Future job prospects for graduates include interior designer, interior coordinator, furniture designer, renovation planner, lighting designer, and architect. The curriculum helps prepare students to achieve certifications and qualifications that will be helpful for finding a job in the future.
Find a Job in Japan with WeXpats
WeXpats operates a service for foreign nationals who want to work in Japan. There are jobs in a variety of industries including creative jobs. There are 2 services available on WeXpats - WeXpats Agent for full time jobs and WeXpats Jobs for part time jobs.
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