Terms and Conditions

Part A — Private guiding

A1. What I provide

Bespoke private guiding, including itinerary planning and cultural and historical interpretation. I hold the National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter qualification.

Transportation. As an ancillary part of the guiding service, I may carry you in my own vehicle. Transportation is not offered as a separate service and does not change the guiding fee. The same guiding fee applies whether the day is primarily by car, public transport, or on foot. This arrangement follows the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism guidelines concerning transportation incidental to guide-interpreter services.

A2. Fees

Guiding. The private guiding fee is USD 600 for one guest. Each additional guest is USD 200, up to four guests. The fee covers guiding and itinerary preparation and is determined by group size, not by the mode of transport. The same daily rate applies to multi-day trips.

Vehicle-related expenses. When my own vehicle is used, vehicle-related expenses are calculated at USD 0.50 per kilometre. The amount is applied toward the actual vehicle expenses attributable to the day, including fuel and operating costs. Expressway tolls and parking are charged at actual cost. My vehicle can accommodate up to four guests. For larger groups, transportation must be arranged separately through a licensed provider; this per-kilometre expense does not apply.

Not included. Admission fees, meals, and third-party transportation such as trains, ferries, taxis or licensed charter vehicles are not included unless expressly stated in the quotation.

Payment. A deposit of 50% of the guiding fee confirms a booking, payable by PayPal or Wise. The balance is due on the day. I do not begin work before the deposit is received.

A3. Cancellation and rescheduling

WhenChargeMore than 7 days beforeFull refund, less transaction fees3 to 6 days before50% of the guiding feeWithin 72 hours, or no-show100% of the guiding fee, plus any non-refundable expenses already committed

Rescheduling more than 7 days before the original date is free, subject to my availability. Within 7 days, rescheduling is treated as a cancellation. Where restaurants or other third parties have already been booked, I cannot guarantee equivalent arrangements on a new date, and any fees they charge are yours.

All timings are Japan Standard Time and run from the scheduled date. A tour on 10 April must be cancelled or rescheduled by the end of 3 April JST to count as "more than 7 days before".

A4. Safety and liability

You are responsible for judging your own fitness for the planned activity. I may change the itinerary for reasons of safety, including weather.

I carry standard vehicle insurance. I strongly recommend that you hold comprehensive travel insurance covering personal injury, medical costs, and trip cancellation.

I am not liable for personal injury, loss of property, or other damage during a tour, except where caused by my gross negligence.

A5. Your responsibilities

Follow local law and the etiquette I explain to you. Behaviour that endangers safety or breaks local regulations may end the tour immediately, without refund.

Part B — Research and advisory assignments

B1. What I provide

Written research, assessment and review relating to travel in Japan: regional scoping, itinerary review, field assessment of properties and routes, audit of a departure, and retained availability for questions.

I am not a travel agency and not a land operator. I make no bookings and I take no commission from any hotel, restaurant, or supplier I recommend. Where arrangements need to be made, I will introduce you to a registered land operator, and I will have no financial interest in which one you use.

B2. Fees and expenses

Fees are quoted per assignment and confirmed in writing before work begins.

Expenses — travel, accommodation, admissions and the like — are billed separately at actual cost and are not included in any fee. I do not fold them into a day rate.

First Enquiry. A single specific question, answered in writing, for a fixed fee. One organization, once. The fee is credited in full against any assignment commissioned within ninety days of my answer.

B3. Deliverables

Copyright in a report remains mine. On payment in full, you receive a license to use it within your own organization for your own product development. You may share it with your contracted operators where they need it for that purpose.

It may not be published, resold, or supplied to a third party as a standalone document, and my name may not be used in your marketing without my written agreement.

B4. What a report is, and what it is not

Findings are a record of what I established, by the means stated, on the dates stated. Every line is marked as a published figure, as confirmed directly, or as unverified. Where I could not confirm something, the report says so; an unverified line is not a finding.

Conditions in Japan change — properties change hands, roads close, staff and policies turn over. A report is accurate as at its date and is not a continuing assurance.

You remain responsible for your own commercial decisions. I do not accept liability for indirect or consequential loss, including lost profit or the cost of a cancelled departure. Where I am liable, my liability is limited to the fees you have paid me for the assignment concerned.

B5. Conflicts of interest

I will not act for two operators selling the same area at the same time. Where that arises, the earlier engagement holds, and I will tell you at the enquiry stage rather than afterwards.

Where I have guided for an operator, I will tell you which one before we start.

For public-sector work in Japan, I apply a twelve-month interval between working for an area's public body and working for an operator selling that area.

B6. Cancellation of an assignment

If you cancel after work has begun, you pay for the work done and for any travel or accommodation already committed and non-refundable. If I cannot complete an assignment, I refund what is unearned.

Part C — Both

C1. Governing law

These terms are governed by the law of Japan.

C2. Changes

These terms may change. The version in force is the one published when you booked a tour or accepted a quotation.

C3. Contact

trade@beyond-the-itinerary.com, or the contact form on this website.

Last updated: 8 September 2026