These booking conditions, along with all the information related to the tour selected by the customer on the LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN website, constitute the agreement with Mitemo Co., Ltd., which operates LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN. The booking conditions outline the customer's rights and obligations, so please review the contents carefully. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
1. Making your booking
Please make your reservation through the LOCAL CRAFT JAPAN (LCJ) online booking form. A booking confirmation will be sent to you via email. Please review all the details carefully. If you believe any information is incorrect or incomplete, make sure you contact us immediately, as changes may not be possible later.
2. Payment
The decision to operate the tour will be made based on the number of participants, two months prior to the scheduled tour date. If the number of applicants for each tour does not reach the minimum required number of participants, the tour may be canceled. Please be aware of this in advance.
Once the tour is confirmed, you will need to proceed with the payment. Payment must be completed by one month before the tour starts. If the full payment is not received by this time, a reminder will be sent. If the full payment is not made within one week after receiving the reminder, your reservation may be considered canceled. Payments can be made in Japanese yen credit card.
3. Your contract
A binding contract between us and the customer will be formed when we confirm your tour and you make the payment for the tour fees. This contract, as well as any disputes, claims, or other issues arising between us and the customer, will be governed by Japanese law.
4.Tour cancellation - in case we cancel your tour
Group tours will officially proceed once the group reaches the minimum required number of participants. However, the tour may be canceled only in the event of circumstances beyond our control, such as natural disasters, severe weather, civil unrest, political instability, war, terrorism, labor disputes, changes to scheduled transportation, or illness of the group leader. If the tour is canceled, we will refund the full amount paid; however, we are not responsible for any inconvenience or incidental costs incurred by the customer, including those related to airline tickets.
5. Tour cancellation - in case of customer cancellation
Once payment has been made, we are unable to provide a refund if the customer cancels for personal reasons. Please be aware of this in advance.
6. Changes to the tour itinerary - in case the customer make changes prior to departure
For group tours, we are unable to accommodate changes due to the customer's circumstances. Please understand this in advance. For private tours, if you wish to change a confirmed itinerary, please notify us via email as soon as possible. We will do our best to assist you, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request. If the change is possible, a change fee of up to 5,000 yen per person will apply. Changes can be made up to one month before the tour start date. Changes made within one month of the tour will be treated as cancellations, and the fees outlined in Section 5 will apply.
7.Changes to the tour itinerary - in case we make changes prior to departure
We take great care to ensure that all information on our website, including the proposed itineraries for each tour, is as accurate as possible. However, as tours are planned months in advance and involve services from independent providers such as craft studios and manufacturers, we reserve the right to make changes to the tour if necessary. Typically, changes are minor, and we ask for your understanding. If a significant change is made to the tour, we will notify you at the earliest opportunity. A significant change refers to changes in the tour schedule. In such cases, you may choose to accept the change, book an alternative tour (paying any price difference or receiving a refund), or cancel the tour and receive a full refund of the amount paid to Local Craft Japan.
8. Changes to your booking - changes made by us after departure
Due to reasons such as the suspension of scheduled transportation, changes in political circumstances, weather, natural disasters, illness, etc., the itinerary may be altered. Such decisions will be made at the discretion of Local Craft Japan or the tour guide. We will make every effort to ensure that all key features of the originally proposed tour, or similar alternatives, are included. Costs for services that are not used will not be refunded. By agreeing to our booking conditions, you acknowledge and accept that the itinerary may be changed if deemed necessary by Local Craft Japan or the guide.
9. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. This insurance should cover potential costs arising from tour cancellations, loss of personal belongings, or any other losses, damage, injuries, delays, or inconveniences that may occur during the tour. Local Craft Japan will provide the necessary documentation to support valid claims with your insurance company.
10. The guide
At Local Craft Japan, you will experience situations that differ from your daily life. There are always risks, such as loss or damage of belongings, injury, or minor discomforts. On group tours, the guide will make decisions to maximize the enjoyment and well-being of the entire group. We expect all members of your group to accept these decisions. If, in the guide’s judgment, a participant engages in illegal activities, causes harm to others, or creates distress, they may be asked to leave the tour. In such cases, no refund will be given, and our responsibilities and the booking contract will be immediately nullified.
11.The cost of your tour
We reserve the right to change the price or correct any pricing errors before your trip is confirmed. Once confirmed, we guarantee that the tour price will not be changed.
12. Complaints and problems
We will do our best to ensure the success of your tour. However, if you have any concerns during a guided tour, please discuss them with the guide. The guide will make every effort to address and improve the situation as quickly as possible.
13. Your responsibilities
We accept bookings on the assumption that all travelers are in good health and understand the risks associated with tours that are undertaken at their own responsibility. For those under the age of 18, a guardian must accompany them. For safety reasons, travelers are required to follow the guidance provided by our representatives, adhere to local codes of conduct, and act responsibly and cautiously at all times to avoid unnecessary risks. This includes, but is not limited to, the proper use of safety equipment such as helmets when cycling, and following all posted signs and oral or written warnings related to health and safety.
It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure they have all necessary travel and health documents before departure. If you are denied access to transportation or entry to a country due to not having the correct documentation, we cannot accept any responsibility. In such cases, no refund of the tour fees will be provided. Please check the passport and visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of your destination or transit country. If we incur fines, surcharges, or other financial penalties due to the lack of necessary travel or other documents, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.
The customer will be liable for any costs (including repair, replacement, or cleaning fees) incurred by the company due to material damage, destruction, or theft during the tour. The customer agrees to immediately report any pre-existing damages upon discovery to our staff, or the relevant personnel at the accommodation, transportation provider, or facility.
14. Our suppliers and our responsibility
Part of your tour will be provided by independent suppliers. These suppliers offer services based on their own terms and conditions. These terms often include limitations or exclusions of liability toward the customer, in accordance with applicable international conventions. Local Craft Japan does not accept responsibility for accidents, theft, or other incidents.
15. Accuracy of information listed on the brochure and website
We strive to ensure that all details listed on our website and digital brochures are accurate. In the event of any changes or updates, we will inform you as soon as possible. Please be aware that the information on this website and in the brochures may have changed by the time you make your reservation. While we take every effort to ensure the accuracy of the website, brochures, and prices, errors can unfortunately occur. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you confirm the details (including the price) of your desired tour at the time of booking.
16. Transportation costs and meal expenses
We strive to ensure that all details listed on our website and digital brochures are accurate. In the event of any changes or updates, we will inform you as soon as possible. Please be aware that the information on this website and in the brochures may have changed by the time you make your reservation. While we take every effort to ensure the accuracy of the website, brochures, and prices, errors can unfortunately occur. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you confirm the details (including the price) of your desired tour at the time of booking.
17. Privacy Policy
Please refer to this link.