Terms and conditions

1 Terms and Conditions

Please read the booking conditions carefully as they incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted by Japan Custom Tours Ltd.

2 Changes in Prices and Itineraries

Prices in shown on this web site are indicative only.  Actual pricing for individual tours will be determined based on the cost of the services chosen and the time of booking. Japan Custom Tours is unable to guarantee the cost of accommodation, land transport, air fares or exchange rates as these are elements that we do not have control over.  In the event of such fluctuations or increases affecting the prices that Japan Custom Tours is required to pay for items including transportation, hotel accommodation and other services, we reserve the right to adjust tour costs.  If we are required to change your booking or part of your booking for any reason beyond our control, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary and will endeavour to give you notice of those changes.  

In the event that any one change or series of changes to your itinerary due to changes instituted by Japan Custom Tours demonstrates that your tour has thereby become materially different from the contemplated prior to the changes being effected and we have accepted your deposit and/or full payment, you have the right to ask for a rearrangement or to withdraw from the tour and we will refund you less any charges levied by suppliers.  

In the event that any one change or series of changes to your itinerary due to changes requested by you and demonstrates that your tour has thereby become materially different from the contemplated prior to the changes being effected and we have accepted your deposit and/or full payment, you have the right to:

In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your tour, before the commencement of the tour, because of events outside our control, we will refund in full any monies already paid.

3 Deposit Payments

A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total estimated fee (minimum NZ$300.00 per person) for an escorted tour is payable within 7 days of confirmation.  The balance must reach Japan Custom Tours no later than 30 days prior to departure. If for any reason the deposit or the final balance is not received by us on the due date, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and apply the appropriate cancellation charges, and the deposit will be forfeited.

4 Cancellation

Should you or a member of your party cancel, you must advise us in writing.  Cancellations by phone will not be accepted.  Cancellations are subject to a charge to cover estimated costs.  The non-refundable deposit may be kept for future travel for up to 12 months.  

Land arrangements: After confirmation, NZ$150.00 per person plus any charges levied by hoteliers and/or land operators.

Air arrangements: Any time after full payment and prior to departure NZ$150.00 per person plus any charges as required by the Airline Tariff Regulations. In certain circumstances cancellation fees may be subject to GST and will therefore be charged to you.

5 Amendments and Re-bookings Fees

After your deposit has been received and tour schedule agreed, amendments or rebooking fees may apply including changes in the cost of services and fees that airlines or service providers may charge.

6 Refunds

To the full extent permitted by law, no refund is available after the tour has commenced, in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any services not utilised.

7 Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that at the time of booking you purchase travel insurance.

8 Health and Immigration

Passengers should familiarise themselves with any health or visa requirements that may apply to the areas they intend visiting.  Passengers shall be responsible for all entry, exit, health and other documents required by law, regulations, orders, demands or requirements of countries being visited or transited. Each passenger shall carry a valid passport at all times.  Visas are the responsibility of the passenger and Japan Custom Tours is not liable for any loss or expense due to a passenger's failure to comply with the above.

9 Baggage

The free baggage allowance for the international travel varies with airlines. Excess baggage charges are the responsibility of the passenger.

10 Pre-departure Contact

It is essential to ensure that you advise Japan Custom Tours of a 24 hour contact number.

11 Travel and Accommodation

It is important to note that all bookings with Japan Custom Tours are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by airlines, coach operators, hoteliers, and other service providers, including but not limited to shipping, rail, car hire and restaurants, whose services we utilise.  Some of which limit or exclude liability in respect to death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage to baggage and Japan Custom Tours' liability is excluded or limited accordingly.

12 Not Included in the Tour Price

Interstate and intrastate passengers are responsible for the cost of their own travel arrangements from their hometown to and from their choice of the international departure city.  The price of any accommodation prior to arrival in Japan, passport, and visa costs where applicable, are not included in the tour price, nor are items of a personal nature such as laundry, taxis, telephone calls, excess baggage charges, insurance, porterage, drinks, meals and room service, unless specified.

13 Airfare Conditions

Airfare conditions vary with airlines. Some fares have special requirements and payment deadlines. Japan Custom Tours does not provide airfare booking services so please check these details carefully with your airline or travel agent..

14 Booking Arrangements

For booking arrangements made by Japan Custom Tours, the person effecting the booking shall be deemed to have accepted the booking conditions on behalf of all persons named in the booking.

15 Liability of Japan Custom Tours

Japan Custom Tours shall assume liability incurred by the client, due to wilful or negligent acts on the part of Japan Custom Tours in respect of the tour arrangements and during the course of the travel. Subject to the matters set out below, all warranties and conditions implied by statute or generally at law are excluded to the maximum extent of the law. Neither Japan Custom Tours make any representation or undertaking as to the services provided by Japan Custom Tours, except as set out in this document. Nothing in this contract is intended to exclude, restrict or modify a consumer's rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. If Japan Custom Tours' supply of services is for business (as that term is defined in the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993) purposes the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 shall not apply and Japan Custom Tours may at its option: supply the services again or pay for the cost of having the services supplied again.

Japan Custom Tours shall not be liable for damages incurred by the client owing to the reasons listed herein under and those similar thereto:

16 Law of Contract

The contract is governed in all respects by the laws of New Zealand, and any legal action arising under the contract shall be litigated in the appropriate Court, having jurisdiction in that state. By making any payment towards a booking, the passenger has agreed to the conditions set out in this brochure. Japan Custom Tours has the right to change or cancel the programme if necessary.

17 Privacy Policy

Japan Custom Tours has given serious consideration to our business obligations and operating procedures, to ensure that our customers' rights and privacy are protected.

・General

To enable Japan Custom Tours to operate its business and respond to your queries we may collect personal information from you, such as your address, E-mail address, telephone number, and fax number via the Japan Custom Tours Website. We use this information to provide you with travel and related services. We may also use this information to provide you with additional information on our products and services that may be of interest to you and relevant to your interaction with the website, and tour planning.  We may also use your personal information (in a form from which an individual person cannot be specified) as statistical date to analyse the trends of users of the Japan Custom Tours website.  If you choose to provide us with your personal information you do accepting the terms of this policy and consent to the use of information set out in this policy. You can choose not to provide us with your personal information, but if you do so we may not be able to provide you with our services or respond to your queries.  Unless we are required by law, by court order to provide your personal information to others your information will only be seen by people working for Japan Custom Tours Limited and as set out in this policy. All information will be kept in accordance with our security and confidentiality standards together with our business and trading information.

・Third party website

The third party websites which are accessible via the Japan Custom Tours website have separate rules for privacy. Japan Custom Tours Limited will not accept any liability or responsibility for these independent rules or activities.

・Further information

If you would like further information on this policy or have any concerns over the protection of the information you have provided to Japan Custom Tours Limited, please contact us at:

Japan Custom Tours Limited

87 Duthie Street, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand