Terms and Conditions

The Short Version

Arigato Japan is not liable for theft or bodily injury that a participant suffers. We are not responsible for no shows or late arrivals. Please book a tour with sufficient time to arrive. Please check the meeting point information on our tour pages to know where to meet us

*If you arrive more than 5 minutes after the meeting time, we will unfortunately have to start the tour without you. We cannot add you to the tour or navigate to get you to the next stop on the tour out of respect for other guests, our restaurant partners and our guides. There is no refund for late arrival cancellations. 

Cancellation fees are as follows:

• 7+ days before tour date: full refund of tour fees minus any processing fees.
• 4 to 6 days before original tour date: 50% refund of tour fees minus any processing fees.
• We cannot accept cancellations within 72 hours or less prior to tour: and we offer no refund in that time frame

Please note, due to the cost of online payment providers any refunds for cancellations will exclude a processing fee of 10% of the total refund amount. Payment processing may take 5-7 business days to credit to your account.

The tours run on a pre-determined schedule and the participant is responsible for keeping up with the tour. We are not responsible for a participant’s physical condition or choice of attire that may affect his ability to keep up. We may walk about 2 or more kilometers.

Changes to tours and spots we visit may occur due to schedules of restaurants, public holidays, weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Applicable substitutions will be made in this case.

There are no free participants (except children under 2 years old). There are no discounts for participants that do not eat and simply accompany another guest. We must abide by this condition to ensure that everyone’s experience is respected.

We will try our best to make sure guests with dietary concerns and restrictions are able to enjoy our tours as well.

People who have allergies and dietary restrictions may join the tours; however please keep in mind that we cannot make a 100% allergy free food guarantee since all the food is prepared in the same kitchens that do not belong to Arigato Japan.  Cross-contamination/ Cross-contact is possible. Most restaurants in Japan are unfamiliar and may be unable to make provisions for serious cross-contact allergies.

The Long Version

1.Payment
In order to confirm your booking, all fees associated to the service must be paid at the time of booking. If we do not receive all payments due in full, your place will not be guaranteed or reserved.

2.Cancellation fees
7+ days before tour date: full refund of tour fees minus any processing fees.
4 to 6 days before original tour date: 50% refund of tour fees minus any processing fees.
72 hours or less prior to tour: no refund
Arigato Japan is not responsible for cancellation conditions or fees imposed by third party tour agency or any other company through which a service was booked.

Please note, due to the cost of online payment providers any refunds for cancellations will exclude a processing fee of 10% of the total refund amount. Payment processing may take 5-7 business days to credit to your account.

3.Limitation of Liability / Concerning Force majeure
Arigato and / or its guides are only a provider of service and are not responsible for theft or bodily harm or delays in arrival to booked service, that a participant may suffer during, before or after a tour resulting from events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, labour disputes or disruptions, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, floods or acts and restraints imposed by government authorities. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that he has proper insurance to cover injuries or illnesses. We shall not be liable for loss of enjoyment. Participants agree not to sue Arigato Japan Food Tours in respect of, and forever release them from, all liability for economic loss and physical or mental injury, direct or indirect, arising in connection with a service provided by Arigato Japan Food Tours. This includes, without limitation, accidental or intentional bodily harm or illness and any emotional distress.

Concerning weather conditions
Arigato Japan conducts all services regardless of weather conditions. If we deems it necessary to terminate a service for cause of weather prior to the tour, we will refund you the tour fees minus any processing fees.

Concerning physical requirements
Arigato Japan is not responsible for the participant’s physical condition. Our services include walking within the service’s time frame. In the interest of all participants and to ensure a proper experience for all participants, Arigato Japan reserves the right to terminate our obligation and agreement towards a participant who finds that he or she is unfit for the service and this, without refund. It is the participant’s responsibility to be aware of the service’s nature upon reserving said service.

Concerning Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
People who have allergies may join the tours; however please keep in mind that we cannot make a 100% allergy free food guarantee since all the food is prepared in the same kitchens that are not the legal property or under the management of Arigato Japan K.K.  Cross-contamination/ Cross-contact is possible. Most restaurants in Japan are unfamiliar and unable to make provisions for serious cross-contact allergies.

Concerning Changes and Substitutions
Changes to tours and spots we visit may occur due to schedules of restaurants, public holidays, weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Applicable substitutions will be made in this case. Arigato Japan and its guides reserve the right to accept, refuse or withdraw any participants that are unfit to take the tour for any reason.
For a more personalized service or pace, please consider a private tour.

4.Damages and legal liability
The participant is responsible for any costs associated with damages he or she has caused. The participant must make full payment for damages as soon as possible to the party or parties who have suffered said damages. You will also be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions.

5.Termination of agreement
Arigato Japan reserves the right to terminate a person’s participation in any of our services or terminate any prior agreement should the participant break any local laws or regulations as put in place by Japanese authorities or any other private entities governing a private sector or property. We reserve the right to expel any participant from any service and/or terminate any obligations we may have towards a participant who is intoxicated, acting belligerently, endangering others or behaving in a way which may tarnish or act upon Arigato Japan’s reputation or cause distress to third parties, participants and/or individuals.