We’re still in Japan—Nim’s first summer working as a river guide overseas.

And by now, Nim was beginning to find his footing. The first weeks had been about arrival. About figuring things out. Now, the learning went deeper.

Learning to communicate in Japanese wasn’t optional. It was essential. There was no shared language with the team or the guests — so Nim had to adapt quickly.

Listening. Watching. Repeating.
Learning by doing.

There were also new ways of working. In Japan, everything was precise. Water levels were monitored throughout the day on dam-controlled rivers. Safety protocols were strict — not just for guests, but for the community. After 4pm, rafting stopped — so the river could be shared with local fishermen.

It was different from Nepal.

More structured.
More regulated.
More controlled.

And deeply respectful.

There were cultural differences too. A level of politeness that stood out. Welcoming guests with a bow. Waving goodbye as the bus pulled away. Simple gestures — but meaningful ones.

And the learning didn’t stop at raft guiding.  At Top Minakami Company, adventure meant many things.

Canyoning.
Rock climbing.
Hydrospeed.
Mountain biking.
ATV.
Stand up paddleboarding.
Lake canoeing.

It was an intensive summer.

The conditions were intense too. Typhoons could change river levels dramatically — from 50cm to 3 meters in minutes. Communication became critical. The team had to stay connected, alert, and ready to adapt.

There was also life beyond the river. Nim lived on base with the Japanese guide team. It was a simple setup —shared space, shared routines — but over time, it became something more.

Friendships formed.
The kind that stay.

Food was another adjustment. Back home in Nepal, daal bhat twice a day was the norm. Here, everything was different. At first, Nim missed it deeply. But slowly, he began to appreciate Japanese food — learning new tastes, new habits, new ways of eating.  

Knowing how much Nim missed home, Linc once made a trip to Tokyo — a three-hour drive — and found an Indian/Pakistani food shop. He came back with a jar of achar.

A small thing.
But in that moment, it meant a lot.

Over time, Nim’s role at Top Minakami Company grew. He returned season after season — eventually becoming a lead operations manager. Each year, he began bringing new Nepali guides with him, sharing the opportunity to work and learn abroad.

For Nim, this was never about leaving Nepal behind. It was about learning — and bringing that knowledge home.

While many leave Nepal in search of work elsewhere, Nim was always clear in his intention.

To return.
To build something of his own.
To invest in a future here.

Over the years, his contribution in Japan extended beyond guiding.

Nim, along with the team at Top Minakami Company, was often called upon to assist in river rescues — not just for the adventure industry, but for the wider community.

Their work was trusted. Valued.

This recognition eventually came in the form of a special award from the Japanese Government — a quiet acknowledgement of his contribution to river safety and rescue.

Looking back, this chapter wasn’t just about learning to guide in a new country. It was about something deeper.

Responsibility.
Respect.
And the beginnings of a vision — still forming, not yet fully understood.

As with any river… the more time you spend in it, the more you begin to understand its flow.

(To be continued…)

This reflection is part of Paddle Nepal’s 20-year journey on Nepal’s rivers.