Terms of Service

1. Scope

These terms govern the guiding service described on this site ("the Service"). By making a booking you are taken to have accepted them.

2. Nature of the Service — this is not a travel agency

I am not registered as a travel agent under Japan's Travel Agency Act. The Service is the provision of my own labour — accompanying, showing, interpreting and advising — and does not constitute travel agency business under Article 2 of that Act.

I do not act as agent, broker or intermediary for any transport operator (rail, bus, taxi, air) or any accommodation provider. Nor do I hold, advance or include their charges in my fee.

I hold no passenger transport licence under the Road Transportation Act, and will not under any circumstances carry you in a vehicle.

I am not a licensed National or Regional Government Guide Interpreter. Interpreting alongside guiding is provided as unlicensed work, which the 2018 amendment to the Guide Interpreter Act permits.

3. Formation of contract

A contract is formed when I have accepted your booking and your payment has cleared. For instant-booking online plans, completion of payment forms the contract.

I may decline a booking on grounds of availability, safety, or any other reasonable ground.

4. Fees and payment

Fees are as shown on this site, tax included, per group. Payment is by card through Stripe.

Payment is made in advance of the day. Your booking is confirmed when it clears.

5. What the fee does not cover

The following are not covered and are yours to pay: (i) your own transport; (ii) admission and entrance fees; (iii) food and drink; (iv) accommodation; (v) equipment rental; (vi) your own insurance premiums; (vii) anything else personal to you.

You pay each of these directly to the business concerned. I never take the money on their behalf.

My own travel costs and travel time are already included in the fee. You are never asked to cover them.

6. Transport and accommodation are yours to arrange

Getting to and from the meeting point, and where you stay, are entirely for you to arrange. I cannot make these bookings for you.

I may give you information about routes, journey times and areas free of charge. That is advice only; I am not responsible for the outcome of bookings you make on the strength of it.

Where we travel by train or bus, each of us buys our own ticket.

7. Meeting and parting

The Service begins at the agreed meeting point and ends at the agreed finishing point. There is no pick-up or drop-off.

If you are more than 30 minutes late without contacting me, I may treat the booking as cancelled, and the full fee is payable.

8. Whether we go, and whether we turn back

I may cancel or change the plan for weather, natural disaster, transport suspension, your health or mine, or any other safety reason. That decision is mine to make.

On a hike, I may decide to turn back or shorten the route after we have started, if I judge it necessary for safety. No refund is due in that case.

If I cancel before we start, you get the full fee back, or a new date if you prefer. I absorb the transfer and payment-processing charges.

9. Cancellation by you

If you cancel: 8 or more days before, free; 7–4 days before, 30%; 3–2 days before, 50%; the day before, 80%; on the day or no-show, 100%.

Days are counted in calendar days, excluding the day of the service itself. A refund may be reduced by the payment-processing charge.

10. Conditions of participation

To join a hike you must hold accident or travel insurance that covers search-and-rescue costs. Without it, I may refuse participation.

When you book you must give an accurate account of your health, any conditions, any medication and — for hikes — your hiking history and recent fitness. If what you told me turns out to be untrue, I may refuse participation or end the day early, with no refund.

Under-18s need a parent's or guardian's consent. Under-15s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

You may not take part while intoxicated. (Reasonable drinking during a meal on a food-based plan is fine.)

11. Your obligations

During the Service you must follow my instructions on matters of safety.

If you disregard my instructions, disrupt other guests, break the law, or otherwise make it impracticable for me to continue, I may end the Service immediately. No refund is due and any costs arising fall to you.

12. Limitation of liability

I take care over your safety. Except where I have acted with intent or gross negligence, I am not liable for loss arising from: (i) natural events beyond my control — weather, rockfall, wildlife; (ii) delay, suspension or accident involving transport operators; (iii) the acts of third parties such as restaurants and facilities; (iv) accidents caused by your own health, condition, carelessness, or failure to follow my instructions; (v) loss, theft or damage to your belongings.

Where I am liable, and except in cases of intent or gross negligence on my part, my liability is capped at the fee you paid.

Nothing in this clause applies to the extent that the Consumer Contract Act or any other law renders it void.

13. Photographs

I may take photographs during the day. If you appear in one and I want to use it on this site or on social media, I will ask you first, each time. Saying no changes nothing about the service you receive.

14. Personal data

Your personal data is handled in accordance with the separate Privacy Policy.

15. Changes to these terms

I may change these terms. Changes take effect when published on this site. Contracts already formed remain governed by the terms in force when they were formed.

16. Governing law and jurisdiction

These terms are governed by Japanese law. Any dispute goes before the District Court having jurisdiction over my place of business, as the court of first instance.

17. Language

The Japanese text of these terms is authoritative. Where the English or any other translation differs from it, the Japanese governs.