Japan, her people and their heritage, customs, and culture have all influenced Zokawa founder, River Lin. River graduated from Indiana University (Bloomington, Indiana) and went to Japan. What was intended to be a 2-year experience turned into a way of life. ​

​

River moved from being a college kid to being an adult while in Japan. She got her first job, became financially independent, and bought her first car there. She learned to speak Japanese, obtained an Associates Degree in Fashion Design, married a Japanese national and started her family there. 

​

For 20-years, River grew as a human through the Japanese lens. Naming a business focused on personal discovery and growth needed a Japanese-inspired name.