From Nepal to Japan — Building My Career by Supporting Global Guests at APA Hotel, TKP Corporation

TKP Corporation is a leading provider of flexible space solutions in Japan, offering everything from conference rooms and co-working offices to business hotels. Known for repurposing unused spaces into efficient and sustainable venues, it continues to expand its reach across the country.

The company also actively welcomes global talent. Among its diverse workforce is Mr. Karan Karki from Nepal, who joined TKP Corporation through the Connect Job program. With prior hospitality experience in Mauritius and Nepal, Karan now works at a business hotel, supporting guests from around the world while continuing to study Japanese and pursue a business degree.

In this interview, we spoke with Karan to learn more about his journey to Japan, the challenges and rewards of working in a multicultural environment, and his long-term dreams for the future.

Guest:
APA Hotel TKP Corporation
Karan Karki from Nepal
Interview & Edit: Risa Nakagawa

Table of contents

— Could you please introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Karan Karki from Nepal. I’ve always been passionate about hospitality, which led me to earn an advanced diploma in Hospitality Management in Scotland. I spent three years in Mauritius working in various hotel roles—from housekeeping to front desk—before returning to Kathmandu to join a hotel project led by an American investor.

In November 2023, I passed my interview with TKP Corporation, and in February 2025, I finally made my move to Japan—something I had always dreamed of. Right now, I work as a front desk staff member at APA Hotel managed by TKP.

“There was a moment when Japanese just clicked.”

— What made you decide to work in Japan?

I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture and language. The world is kind of obsessed with Japan, and I wanted to experience that for myself. I already speak Hindi, Nepali, and English, so I wanted to add Japanese to my language skills.

— When did you start learning Japanese?

I began studying seriously after being selected by TKP. They offered a nine-month language and culture program before starting work, which really helped. For the first three months, I couldn’t understand anything—but one day, it just clicked. From there, everything became easier.

— Do you still study Japanese?

Yes! I study around three times a week and plan to take the JLPT N3 exam this December. I’m also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Management through an online university in the U.S., so I spend three other days a week on that. It’s a busy schedule, but I’m focused on my future.

“I love being able to improve someone’s experience in Japan.”

— Tell us about your current job.

I work at the front desk of a TKP business hotel. Around 70% of our guests are international, so I often switch between English and Japanese depending on their needs. Sometimes I help Japanese guests too—and from my second day, I was already handling check-ins on my own.

— What do you enjoy most about your job?

When guests say things like, “Thank you, I was having a hard time with Japanese,” it really makes me happy. Just being able to speak English and help them even a little can change their experience in Japan. That moment means a lot to me.

— How do you spend your days off?

I often go out with friends I met through the Connect Job program—many of them are now also working in Japan. We’ve visited places like Kamakura, Hakone, and Tochigi. We even use TKP’s employee discount to travel together, which is a nice perk!

— How was the Connect Job program?

The program itself was really good. Even after coming to Japan, I felt supported. I often say that I’ve felt more supported than many others—I can call or text someone when I face problems, and someone always replies. That support has made a big difference.

“Everyone here has been incredibly kind and supportive.”

— Were there any challenges adjusting to work in Japan?

Actually, not really. I had similar experiences in Mauritius and Nepal, so I wasn’t too worried. The work culture at TKP is very inclusive—there are people from Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, and other countries. Everyone is understanding, helpful, and kind. I’ve always had someone to ask when I needed help.

My manager is also from Mongolia, so he understands the challenges I face. It’s been smooth sailing thanks to this environment.

— What do you keep in mind when working?

I’m someone who likes to be early, so I usually arrive at work 30–45 minutes before my shift. People even tell me to come later!

— What do you like about TKP?

On the very first day during orientation, I heard that TKP repurposes unused spaces to create sustainable venues. That idea really resonated with me. Even though the hotels may look small, they are very efficient and convenient. I love how TKP turns underused spaces into something valuable and functional.

“Someday, I want to run my own hotel in Nepal.”

“Someday, I want to run my own hotel in Nepal.”

— What’s your current work goal?

Right now, I want to complete my training period and remove the "trainee" badge. I’m not sure how long that will take, but I want to become a full-fledged staff member soon.

— What are your future goals?

I hope to open my own hotel or business in Nepal someday—maybe in 10 years. I’ve already taken a small step by founding an NGO with some friends. We currently support 500 students by providing free school supplies year-round. We started with one school and plan to expand to three more.

— Do you plan to change your visa status in the future?

Yes, I’m currently on a Specified Skilled Worker (SSW1) visa. I’m aiming to pass JLPT N3 soon, and once I finish my degree, I’ll consider applying for the next step. I may apply for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (EHI) visa or upgrading to SSW2.

“Work on yourself first. Then Japan will make sense.”

— Do you have any advice for others who want to work in Japan?

My biggest advice is: work on yourself before you focus on working in Japan. For me, Japanese didn’t make sense at all for the first three months. But I kept studying, and one day it just started to make sense. That’s when I really started enjoying life here.

Understanding yourself, your goals, and being open to the Japanese way of life helped me a lot. If you prepare well, the transition becomes much easier.