渡邊直子 Naoko Watanabe Nurse Climber

Naoko Watanabe is a Japanese mountaineer, nurse and advocate for children’s outdoor experiences. Born in 1981 in Onojo, Fukuoka Prefecture, she began joining hiking and survival-camping activities at age three and later took part in adventures with children from across Asia. Her early experiences, including trekking in Pakistan as a teenager, inspired a lasting interest in high-altitude climbing.

While working as a nurse, she continued to raise funds for expeditions and climb the world’s highest peaks. In October 2024, she became the first Japanese woman to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks. Her achievements also include climbing six 8,000-metre peaks within five months and summiting Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga.

Watanabe now works to share the appeal of the Himalayas and create opportunities for children to experience nature and adventure. Her website invites supporters to contribute through donations, purchases of original merchandise, and requests for speaking engagements. These contributions help fund her expeditions and related activities, supporting her broader goal of encouraging children to build confidence, curiosity and a sense of possibility through adventure