Japan Living WalksTerms & Conditions
Please read the following carefully before proceeding to booking.
Guide Experience Agreement
01 General Terms
By booking a guide experience with Japan Living Walks, you agree to participate in a small-group walking experience led by a local guide. Guide experience content, route, and timing may be adjusted at the guide's discretion based on weather, local events, or participant conditions. Please note that depending on the pace and progress of the group, it may not be possible to visit all planned destinations. Japan Living Walks reserves the right to modify or cancel guide experiences due to unforeseen circumstances, with reasonable notice provided where possible. At venues that serve alcohol, only participants who can present valid identification confirming legal drinking age will be served. Please carry appropriate ID if you wish to consume alcohol during the experience.
02 Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made more than 24 hours before your guide experience start time will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the start time, or no-shows on the day of the guide experience, will be charged in full with no refund. In the event that Japan Living Walks cancels a guide experience, a full refund will be issued regardless of timing.
03 Health & Physical Requirements
Our guide experiences involve walking on uneven surfaces, including cobblestones, temple steps, and narrow alleyways. Participants should be in reasonable physical health and able to walk for 2–4 hours at a gentle pace. Please inform us in advance of any mobility limitations, medical conditions, or dietary restrictions so we can make appropriate arrangements. Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended.
04 Weather & Safety Policy
Guide experiences operate rain or shine in light weather. In the event of severe weather (typhoon warnings, extreme heat advisories, or similar), safety takes priority and guide experiences may be postponed or cancelled. Participants are encouraged to dress in layers and bring a compact umbrella. Except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of Japan Living Walks or its guides, Japan Living Walks is not liable for incidents arising from participants failing to follow guide instructions or engaging in unsafe behavior. If a guide experience is suspended mid-session due to lightning, a sudden heavy downpour, a blizzard, or any other severe weather that makes it unsafe to continue, a refund of 50% of the guide experience fee will be issued if less than 60 minutes of the guide experience has been completed. No refund will be provided if 60 minutes or more has already been completed at the time of suspension.
05 Photography & Privacy
You are welcome to take photographs for personal use throughout the guide experience. When visiting private homes, shops, or sacred spaces, please follow the guide's instructions regarding photography. Please respect the privacy of local residents and do not photograph individuals without their consent. Japan Living Walks may occasionally photograph or film guide experiences for promotional purposes; please let us know in advance if you prefer not to be included.
06 Personal Belongings
Except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of Japan Living Walks or its guides, Japan Living Walks is not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings during the guide experience. Please keep valuables secure at all times. We recommend traveling light — a small daypack is sufficient. Emergency contact information and basic first-aid equipment are carried by all guides.
07 WhatsApp Communication
WhatsApp is required for all same-day communication, including meeting confirmation and photo sharing after the guide experience. Please ensure WhatsApp is installed and working on your phone before your guide experience date. When you arrive at the meeting point, please send a WhatsApp message to your guide to confirm your arrival. Japan Living Walks uses WhatsApp exclusively for contact on the day before and the day of your guide experience.
08 Late Arrival Policy
If you anticipate being late, please contact your guide via WhatsApp before the scheduled start time. If you are more than 15 minutes late to the meeting point without prior notice, your booking will be treated as a same-day cancellation and no refund will be issued. Please note that even if you arrive late, the guide experience will still end at the originally scheduled time and the end time will not be extended accordingly. We ask for your understanding in keeping to the schedule out of respect for your guide's time. Conversely, if your guide arrives late, the following applies: (i) if the guide is less than 10 minutes late, no refund will be issued; (ii) if the guide is 10 minutes or more but less than 15 minutes late, 20% of the guide experience fee will be refunded; (iii) if the guide is 15 minutes or more late and the guide experience is still carried out, 50% of the guide experience fee will be refunded; and (iv) if you choose not to proceed with the guide experience as a result of the guide being late, a full refund will be issued.
09 Liability Disclaimer
Except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of Japan Living Walks or its guides, Japan Living Walks and its guides are not liable for any injuries, accidents, or losses that occur due to a participant's own inattention or negligence during the guide experience, including while walking on uneven terrain. Routes may be changed without prior notice due to weather conditions, local events, road closures, or safety concerns. By participating, you acknowledge and accept these inherent risks. We strongly encourage all participants to carry appropriate personal travel insurance.
10 Extension Fee
If the guide experience runs over the scheduled time at the participant's request, an extension fee of ¥5,000 per group per 30 minutes will apply. This fee must be paid on-site to the guide via cashless payment before continuing. Extensions are subject to the guide's availability and discretion. The guide is not obligated to continue beyond the scheduled end time.