Terms and Services:

1. Scope of Service

"Beyond the Itinerary" (hereinafter referred to as "the Guide") provides bespoke private guiding services, including itinerary planning and cultural/historical interpretation.

  • Guiding: The Guide is a National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter.

  • Transportation: As an ancillary part of the guiding service, the Guide may provide transportation using a private vehicle. This is conducted in accordance with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) guidelines regarding "reimbursement of actual expenses" for guide-interpreters.

2. Fees and Payment

  • Guide Fee: A flat day rate of $1,000 USD covers the professional guiding service and itinerary preparation for up to two guests. For three or four guests, an additional $200 USD per person applies.

  • Vehicle Reimbursement: A fee of $1 USD per mile is charged solely to cover actual costs, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, and vehicle depreciation. This is not a taxi fare or commercial transportation charge. For groups of five or more guests, a rental vehicle will be arranged; the rental cost will be quoted separately, and the per-mile vehicle charge will not apply in that case.

  • Excluded Expenses: Guests are responsible for their own entry fees, meals, and any third-party transportation costs (e.g., trains, ferries). These shall be paid directly by the guest at the time of service.

  • Payment: A deposit of 50% of the Guide Fee is required to confirm a booking, payable via PayPal or Wise. The remaining balance is due on the day of the tour. No services will commence prior to receipt of the deposit.

3. Booking and Cancellation Policy

To provide a high-quality bespoke experience, the following cancellation policy applies:

  • More than 7 days prior: Full refund (minus any transaction fees).

  • 3 to 6 days prior: 50% of the Guide Fee.

  • Within 72 hours or No-show: 100% of the Guide Fee and any pre-arranged non-refundable expenses.

Rescheduling: Requests to reschedule are welcome and will be accommodated where the Guide's availability permits. Rescheduling requests made more than 7 days prior to the original date are free of charge. Within 7 days of the original date, rescheduling is treated as a cancellation and the cancellation policy above applies. Where third-party reservations (such as restaurants) have already been made, the Guide cannot guarantee that equivalent arrangements can be secured on the new date. Any cancellation fees charged by third parties as a result of rescheduling are the responsibility of the guest.

Note: All timings are based on Japan Standard Time (JST) and are calculated from the scheduled tour date. For example, a tour on April 10th must be cancelled or rescheduled by the end of April 3rd (JST) to qualify as "more than 7 days prior."

4. Safety and Liability

  • Health and Safety: Guests are responsible for assessing their physical fitness for the planned activities (e.g., walking, hiking). The Guide reserves the right to adjust the itinerary for safety reasons, including weather conditions.

  • Insurance: While the Guide maintains standard vehicle insurance, it is strongly recommended that guests purchase comprehensive international travel insurance covering personal injury, medical expenses, and trip cancellation.

  • Limitation of Liability: The Guide shall not be held liable for personal injury, loss of property, or damages incurred during the tour, except in cases of proven gross negligence.

5. Guest Responsibilities

Guests are expected to follow local laws and cultural etiquette as advised by the Guide. Any behavior that compromises safety or local regulations may result in the immediate termination of the tour without a refund.

6. Governing Law

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.