Consulting Service & Booking Disclaimer (Compliance with the Travel Agency Act)
1. Nature of Service & Non-Applicability of Travel Agency Registration: Japan Local Concierge operates strictly as a B2C/B2B travel consulting, itinerary design, and remote advisory service. We are not a licensed travel agency under Japan's Travel Agency Act (Act No. 239 of 1952) and do not perform any business operations that require registration under the Act.
2. Strict Legal Compliance: Under no circumstances will Japan Local Concierge engage in any conduct that violates, infringes upon, or circumvents the Travel Agency Act or related laws and regulations of Japan.
3. Direct Bookings Only: We do not act as a booking intermediary, agent, or broker to arrange transportation or accommodation, nor do we process or hold funds on behalf of hotels, ryokans, airlines, or transport operators. All actual bookings, contracts, and payments must be finalized directly by the client or agency with the respective local service providers.
4. Scope of Responsibility & Dining Liaison: Our liability and operations are strictly limited to the provision of local intelligence, bespoke digital itineraries, transit route research, advice, and remote communication/translation support (such as linguistic assistance for restaurant inquiries, which falls outside regulated travel agency operations).
Pricing & Group Size Policy
Unless otherwise explicitly stated (e.g., specific B2B project rates), our standard service packages are priced as a flat fee per group, covering up to 4 travelers of any age. For groups of 5 or more, an additional surcharge applies per extra person to account for the increased complexity of dining reservation assistance and transit route planning.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Since our core service involves extensive upfront research, intellectual labor, and the reservation of concierge capacity, our cancellation policy is strictly enforced based on the timeline and progress of our work.
| Prior to Initial Consultation / Research |
100% Refund*Client bears all payment gateway/transaction fees. |
| After Research Begins or Draft Delivery |
50% Refund*Strictly enforced regardless of the reason for cancellation. |
| Within 14 Days of Arrival OR Post-Delivery |
No Refund (100% Fee Retained)*Strictly enforced regardless of the reason for cancellation. |
Legal Basis for Non-Refundability
Under Article 15-3 of Japan's Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, online consulting contracts are legally bound by the stated cancellation policy and are exempt from standard cooling-off periods. Furthermore, pursuant to Articles 634 and 648 of the Civil Code of Japan, Japan Local Concierge is legally entitled to retain fees as compensation for intellectual labor and capacity reservation already performed, even if the client's travel is canceled due to force majeure events (e.g., flight cancellations, extreme weather, illness, or personal emergencies).
Use by Minors
If you are a minor under the applicable laws of your country of residence, you must obtain explicit consent from a parent or legal guardian before engaging our services. By issuing payment, you legally warrant that such consent has been obtained.
No Guarantee of Price & Availability
As an advisory service, all venue recommendations are based on availability and pricing at the exact time of our research. Japan Local Concierge shall not be held liable if prices increase, or if venues become fully booked by the time the client executes the actual reservation.
Accuracy of Client Information & Age Disclosure
The client is solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all submitted information (e.g., passport-matching names, exact travel dates, severe allergies). Additionally, clients must accurately disclose the exact number and ages of any travelers under 20 years old, as many Japanese establishments (izakayas, high-end counters) enforce strict legal entry restrictions. Japan Local Concierge shall not be held liable for any rejections, delays, or financial losses stemming from inaccurate data provided by the client.
Client Responsibilities (Visas & Insurance)
Clients bear the sole responsibility for securing valid passports, required visas, and fulfilling Japan's entry protocols. We strongly advise securing comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure. Japan Local Concierge holds no liability for financial losses if entry to Japan is denied.
Third-Party Links & Liability
We provide external booking links strictly for client convenience. We exercise no control over, and assume no liability for, the privacy practices, failures, or negligence of third-party operators. All financial transactions executed via external links remain strictly between the client and the respective vendor.
Remote Support Boundaries
Remote concierge assistance is actively monitored during our designated core hours (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM JST). While we strive for rapid responses (typically within 15–30 minutes), instantaneous 24/7 replies are not contractually guaranteed. We are entirely exempt from liability regarding communication outages caused by WhatsApp server failures, poor local connectivity, or third-party telecom issues.
Anti-Chargeback Provision
By remitting payment for our services, you expressly waive the right to issue a chargeback via your credit card issuer or PayPal for valid intellectual labor rendered in compliance with these Terms. In the event of an unlawful chargeback attempt, we reserve the right to vigorously dispute the claim and recover all disputed funds, associated banking penalties, and legal recovery costs.
Force Majeure
Japan Local Concierge is explicitly exempt from liability for any loss, injury, damage, or delay arising from events beyond our reasonable sphere of control (Force Majeure). Such events include, but are not limited to: acts of God, extreme climatic events, seismic activity, pandemics, civil unrest, strikes, or the sudden insolvency/negligence of local vendors. Any direct dispute during travel remains solely between the client and the local provider.
Limitation of Liability
To the absolute maximum extent permitted by governing law, the total aggregate liability of Japan Local Concierge for any claims arising from these Terms or our advisory services shall be strictly capped at the actual total consulting fee remitted by the client for the specific engagement in dispute.
Indemnification
The client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Japan Local Concierge and its affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, or legal fees arising out of the client's breach of these Terms, violation of applicable laws, or any damages caused to third-party providers (accommodations, transport, etc.) during the trip.
Submission of Materials (For Creators)
Clients acting as "Visual Creators" who submit photographic or video media hereby warrant that they possess all necessary copyrights and that such materials do not infringe upon third-party rights. Pursuant to the Copyright Act of Japan, the creator grants Japan Local Concierge a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to utilize, display, and distribute these materials across our digital platforms, subject to appropriate attribution.
Intellectual Property Rights
All customized itineraries, vetted research dossiers, maps, and proprietary text curated by Japan Local Concierge remain our exclusive intellectual property, protected under the Copyright Act of Japan. Unauthorized reproduction, public distribution, resale, or unapproved commercial white-labeling is strictly prohibited and subject to legal action.
Prohibited Actions
Clients are strictly prohibited from engaging in the following: (a) submitting fraudulent inquiries or data, (b) spamming our communication channels, (c) unauthorized scraping or duplicating of our proprietary web content, (d) utilizing our services for illicit activities, or (e) attempting to circumvent our agency to directly solicit or poach our vetted local partners.
Right to Refuse Service
We unequivocally reserve the right to terminate our engagement—without refund—if a client engages in verbal abuse, harassment, issues unreasonable demands beyond the agreed scope, or commits severe breaches of these Terms.
Exclusion of Anti-Social Forces
The client hereby represents and warrants that they are not affiliated with, nor a member of, any organized crime syndicate or "anti-social forces" as defined under Japanese law. We reserve the absolute right to terminate all service agreements immediately, without refund, should any violation of this warranty be discovered.
No Waiver
The failure of Japan Local Concierge to enforce any right or provision stipulated within these Terms shall not be construed as a waiver of our right to enforce such provisions at a later date.
Modification of Terms & Severability
We reserve the right to amend or update these Terms at our sole discretion without prior notice. Should any provision herein be deemed invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions are governed exclusively by the laws of Japan. In compliance with the Code of Civil Procedure of Japan, both parties consent that any legal disputes arising in connection with our services shall be subject to the exclusive primary jurisdiction of the Morioka District Court in Japan.
Prevailing Legal Interpretation
These Terms and Conditions are provided in English for the convenience of our international clients, but they are inherently governed by and construed in accordance with Japanese law. In the event of any legal ambiguity, dispute, or conflict in interpretation, the definitions and legal standards established under Japanese law shall strictly prevail and govern the true intent of these provisions.