Terms & Conditions

1. Parties & Definitions

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") are an agreement between Yutori LLC, ("Yutori," "we," "us"), and the person or persons named below ("Client," "you"). By paying a Service Fee, signing below, or otherwise using our services, you accept these Terms on behalf of yourself and every traveler in your party.

• Services means the itinerary design, accommodation curation, booking coordination and trip support described in Section 2.

• Suppliers means hotels, ryokan, tour operators, guides, rail and transport providers, restaurants and any other third party that delivers part of your trip.

• Service Fee means the non-refundable fee for our planning work, set out in Schedule A.

• Trip Costs means amounts payable to Suppliers for your trip. Trip Costs are not part of the Service Fee.

• Written consent means consent given in writing, including by email or through a client portal.

• Travelers means every person traveling under this agreement. The Client confirms they are authorized to accept these Terms on behalf of all Travelers, including minors. When several families or households travel together, the Client is the single primary contact for the group: we take instructions from, send documents to, and bill the Client, who is responsible for sharing information with and collecting payment from the other Travelers.

• Departure Date means the first day of travel on your itinerary.

Independent business. Yutori is an independent travel advisory business. Yutori is affiliated with Fora Travel, LLC ("Fora") as its host agency, and most bookings and commissions are processed through Fora. Fora is not a party to this agreement, does not provide the Services, and has no obligation to you under these Terms. Your relationship is with Yutori alone, and these Terms protect Yutori independently of Fora.

2. Scope of Services

Yutori designs custom Japan itineraries and coordinates bookings with Suppliers; we do not operate tours, hotels or transport ourselves.

How we work

1. Inquiry and consultation. We discuss your dates, party, interests and budget.

2. Terms and Service Fee. You receive these Terms and Schedule A, accept them, and pay the Service Fee. Planning starts when the fee is received.

3. Itinerary proposal. We deliver a proposed itinerary with accommodation options and the cancellation terms for each Supplier, then refine it through the included revision rounds.

4. Approvals and bookings. You approve each booking in writing and pay the related Trip Costs; we then confirm with the Supplier and send you the confirmation. You are responsible for carefully reading the confirmation and all details from the supplier, including cancellation terms.

5. Final documents. About [2 weeks] before departure you receive the final itinerary, confirmations, tickets and contact details.

6. During travel. We provide support as described below.

7. Changes and cancellations follow Section 5.

• Included in the Service Fee: an initial consultation, a proposed itinerary, up to [two] rounds of revisions, curated accommodation recommendations, and a final travel document.

• Additional revisions beyond those included are billed at the rate in Schedule A.

• Bookings. We arrange bookings with Suppliers only on your written consent and after payment of the related Trip Costs. Each booking is a contract between you and the Supplier, subject to that Supplier's own terms. Some bookings are placed through our host agency, Fora Travel, as the agency of record. You are responsible for reviewing supplier terms.

• During travel we provide support by [WhatsApp/email] on travel days. Urgent matters outside those hours will be addressed as soon as reasonably possible. We are not an emergency service; in an emergency contact local emergency services (for example 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance in Japan).

• Not included: flights, visa or immigration services, travel insurance (though we do sell it), airline ticketing, and anything not listed in your itinerary.

• We may decline or discontinue Services for non-payment, abusive conduct toward our staff or Suppliers, or requests we consider unsafe or unlawful. Service Fees already earned are not refunded; unspent Trip Costs are returned subject to Supplier policies.

3. Fees & Payment

All fees are listed in Schedule A, which forms part of these Terms. Fees are in US dollars unless stated otherwise.

1. Service Fee. The Service Fee is quoted to you in writing before you engage us, is payable in full before planning begins, and is non-refundable once work has started.

2. Ticketing fee. A per-person ticketing fee applies to Shinkansen reservations and to certain attractions requiring advance tickets. We will obtain your written consent before purchasing any ticket.

3. Non-partner accommodation fee. Yutori is affiliated with the Fora host agency and typically earns a commission from hotels in Fora's partner network. For accommodations outside that network, a booking fee applies in lieu of commission.

4. Excursion coordination fee. For full-day or multi-day excursions involving multiple Suppliers or complex logistics, a fee of 10% of the total excursion cost applies.

5. Priority planning fee. A priority planning fee applies when planning begins fewer than [60] days before the Departure Date.

6. Trip Costs. Trip Costs must be paid in full before we confirm a booking. Supplier prices and availability can change until payment is received and the booking is confirmed.

7. Currency and taxes. Supplier prices quoted in Japanese yen are converted at the rate on the date of payment. Japanese consumption tax, accommodation taxes and bath taxes may be payable locally and are not included unless stated.

8. Commissions. You acknowledge that Yutori may receive commissions or other compensation from Suppliers in connection with your bookings.

9. Card authorization and chargebacks. By providing a payment card you authorize us to charge it for Service Fees and for Trip Costs you have approved in writing. You agree to contact us to resolve any billing dispute before initiating a chargeback. Card details are processed by a PCI-compliant payment processor; we do not store full card numbers.

10. Late payment. Unpaid Trip Costs may result in a Supplier releasing your reservation. We are not responsible for availability or price changes caused by late payment.

4. Client Responsibilities

Accurate information and timely decisions from you are essential to a smooth trip.

• Provide each Traveler's full legal name exactly as it appears on their passport, date of birth, and any other details a Supplier requires. You are responsible for costs arising from inaccurate information.

• Tell us in advance about dietary requirements, allergies, mobility limitations, medical needs or other requests. We will pass them to Suppliers and ask them to accommodate, but we cannot guarantee that a Supplier will do so.

• Review every itinerary, confirmation and booking we send and tell us promptly of any error.

• Respond to requests for decisions, approvals and payments within the time we indicate; delays may mean an option is no longer available.

• Behave respectfully toward Suppliers, their staff and other guests, and follow Supplier rules (for example tattoo policies at onsen, shoe removal, quiet hours). Suppliers may refuse service for behavior they consider unacceptable, without refund.

• Children remain the responsibility of their accompanying adults at all times.

5. Changes, Cancellation & Refunds

Service Fees are non-refundable; refunds of Trip Costs depend entirely on each Supplier's cancellation policy.

• Changes you request. Changes after the final itinerary is delivered are billed at the revision rate in Schedule A plus any Supplier change fees.

• Cancellation by you. Notify us in writing. We will request refunds from Suppliers on your behalf, but Suppliers set their own cancellation terms and penalties. Many Japanese ryokan, small inns and private guides charge 50% to 100% of the booking for cancellations within 7 days of arrival, and some are non-refundable from the time of booking. We will tell you each Supplier's policy before you confirm a booking. We will always send you confirmations by email. You are responsible for keeping note of the cancellation policies in the confirmations we send you.

• Postponement. If you postpone, we may, at our discretion, apply payments already made toward a rescheduled itinerary within [12 months], subject to Supplier policies and a rebooking fee per Schedule A.

• Changes by Suppliers. If a Supplier cancels, changes or closes, we will make reasonable efforts to find a comparable alternative. Any price difference is your responsibility, and any refund depends on the Supplier.

• Refund timing. Supplier refunds are passed to you as we receive them. Yutori does not advance refunds and is not responsible for Supplier delays.

• No-shows and unused services are non-refundable.

• Refund disputes. Before you confirm a booking we will tell you the Supplier's cancellation terms. If you cancel, we will send the Supplier's written response showing what was requested and what was returned. Any refund a Supplier pays to us is passed to you within [10] business days of our receipt. If a Supplier refuses a refund you believe you are owed, the dispute is between you and the Supplier; we will support your claim against the Supplier or your travel insurer with the documentation we hold. A dispute about Trip Costs or a Supplier refund does not entitle you to withhold, reclaim or charge back Service Fees for work already performed, and such a chargeback is a breach of these Terms. If we have received a Supplier refund and not passed it to you, that is a claim against Yutori under Section 14.

6. Third-Party Suppliers & Limitation of Liability

Yutori is an intermediary: we select and coordinate Suppliers but do not control them and are not liable for their acts or omissions.

1. Suppliers. Yutori is not responsible for errors, omissions, cancellations, delays, injuries, losses or service failures caused by any Supplier, airline, rail operator or other third party. Claims regarding a Supplier's service must be made against that Supplier under its own terms. We will assist you in good faith with such claims.

2. Events beyond our control. Yutori is not liable for loss, injury, delay or additional expense caused by weather, natural disasters (including earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic activity), illness, government action, strikes, transport disruption or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

3. Cap. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Yutori's total liability for all claims arising from the Services shall not exceed the Service Fees you paid to Yutori for the trip concerned.

4. Excluded damages. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Yutori is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, including lost vacation time, lost enjoyment or lost wages.

5. Exceptions. Nothing in these Terms limits liability for Yutori's own gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud, or any liability that cannot be limited under applicable law, including the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 93A).

6. Accuracy of information. Itinerary details, opening hours, prices and descriptions are provided in good faith from Supplier information and may change without notice.

7. Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that every Traveler hold travel insurance covering trip cancellation and interruption, medical care and evacuation, and baggage. Yutori can offer travel insurance from its insurance partners and will provide a quote with your itinerary.

• Policies we offer are issued by the insurer named in the policy documents. The insurer, not Yutori, sets coverage, exclusions, pre-existing-condition rules and claims decisions. Read the policy before purchase and direct all claims to the insurer.

• Yutori may receive a commission on insurance sold. We offer insurance as a travel retailer under our host agency's arrangements and do not give individualized insurance advice; we can explain what a plan covers in general terms, and the insurer can answer specific coverage questions.

• Pre-existing-condition waivers and "cancel for any reason" options usually must be purchased within a short window (often 14 to 21 days) after your first trip payment. Ask about insurance when you pay the Service Fee.

• You are free to buy insurance from any provider. If you decline insurance, you accept full financial responsibility for cancellation penalties, medical costs and other losses that insurance would have covered, and we may ask you to confirm the decision in writing.

• Japanese hospitals may require payment at the time of treatment; US health plans often provide limited or no coverage abroad.

8. Passports, Entry Requirements & Medications

Each Traveler is solely responsible for meeting passport, visa, entry and health requirements for Japan and for any transit country.

• Japan requires a passport valid for the duration of your stay. We recommend at least six months' validity, which some transit countries require.

• Japan's entry rules, including any pre-registration or electronic authorization requirements, can change. Check the official visa, entry and vaccination requirements for your nationality, for Japan and for any transit country, before travel.

• Identification for US flights. US domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another TSA-accepted identification such as a passport. Yutori is not responsible if a Traveler is denied boarding because of non-compliant or expired identification.

• Japan enforces strict controls on medications. Some common US prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs (including certain stimulants, codeine-containing products and pseudoephedrine) are restricted or prohibited, and others require an import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei) in advance. Verify your medications with the Japanese consulate or Ministry of Health before travel and carry prescriptions in their original packaging.

• Yutori is not liable for denied boarding, denied entry or other disruption caused by passport, identification, visa, health or medication issues.

9. Flights, Trains & Transfers

Yutori does not sell or ticket flights; airline matters are between you and the airline.

• Confirm flight schedules directly with the airline and check for changes within 24 hours of departure. Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights.

• Yutori is not responsible for airline schedule changes, cancellations, missed connections, fare changes, booking errors or refund processing.

• Rail and transfer bookings we arrange are subject to the operator's terms. Once issued, Shinkansen and other reserved tickets are generally non-refundable or carry change fees set by the operator. Verify train times before travel; we are not responsible for schedule changes, suspensions or missed trains.

• Transfers and private drivers are Suppliers under Section 6.

10. Health, Activities & Assumption of Risk

Travel involves risk, and you accept the risks inherent in the activities included in your itinerary.

• Activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing, snorkeling, diving, hot-spring bathing, cooking classes and festivals carry inherent risks of injury. By participating you accept those risks for yourself and any minors in your care.

• You are responsible for assessing your own fitness for each activity and for disclosing conditions that may affect your safety. Suppliers may refuse participation for safety reasons.

• Yutori provides general information about Japan's healthcare, accessibility and safety in good faith but makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness.

• Public venues in Japan, including many traditional inns and rail stations, may have limited accessibility. Tell us about mobility needs early so we can choose suitable Suppliers.

11. Confidentiality, Privacy & Use of Photos

We keep your personal and travel details confidential and share them only as needed to deliver your trip.

• We collect names, contact details, passport information, payment details and preferences to arrange your trip. We share them with Suppliers and our host agency only as required for bookings, and with service providers (such as payment processors) who act on our behalf.

• We will not use your photos, name or travel details in marketing, social media or testimonials without your written consent.

• We take reasonable measures to protect your information but cannot guarantee the security of information sent by email or other electronic means, and are not responsible for breaches beyond our reasonable control or for Suppliers' handling of your data under their own policies.

• We retain trip records for [7] years for accounting and legal purposes. You may ask us to correct or delete personal information not required for those purposes.

• Our full privacy policy is at [yutorijapan.com/privacy].

12. Intellectual Property

Itineraries, recommendations, travel documents and other materials we prepare remain Yutori's property and are licensed to you for personal, non-commercial use on your trip.

• You may share them with Travelers in your party. You may not resell, publish, or provide them to other travel businesses, or use them to book the same arrangements directly with Suppliers to avoid our fees.

• Yutori's name, logo and website content may not be used without permission.

13. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for failure to perform caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, earthquakes, typhoons, epidemics, civil unrest, war, terrorism, strikes, transport failures or government travel restrictions.

• In such cases Yutori will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or propose alternatives. Refunds of Trip Costs remain subject to Supplier policies, and additional costs for alternatives are your responsibility.

• Service Fees remain non-refundable; where a trip is postponed because of a force majeure event we will apply the Service Fee to the rescheduled trip without a rebooking fee.

14. Complaints, Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

Tell us about problems during your trip so we can fix them while you are there; disputes that remain are resolved under Massachusetts law.

1. Complaints. Notify us promptly of any problem during travel. Any claim against Yutori must be made in writing within [30] days after the end of the trip, with supporting details, so that we can investigate with Suppliers.

2. Governing law. These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules.

3. Negotiation and mediation. The parties will first try in good faith to resolve any dispute by direct discussion. If unresolved within 30 days, either party may request mediation in [Boston], Massachusetts, with a mediator agreed by both parties; mediation costs are shared equally.

4. Binding arbitration. Any dispute not resolved by mediation shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, before a single arbitrator, in [Boston], Massachusetts, or by video conference if the arbitrator so decides. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction. Either party may instead bring a qualifying claim in small claims court in [Norfolk] County, Massachusetts.

5. Jury trial and class action waiver. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY AND AGREES THAT DISPUTES WILL BE BROUGHT ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT AS A CLASS, CONSOLIDATED OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION.

6. Costs. Arbitration fees are allocated under the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules. Each party otherwise bears its own attorneys' fees and costs, except where a statute provides otherwise.

15. General Provisions

• Entire agreement. These Terms, Schedule A and your written itinerary are the entire agreement between you and Yutori and replace any prior discussions.

• Changes to these Terms. We may update these Terms for future trips. The version you accepted applies to your trip unless you agree to a new version in writing.

• Severability. If any provision is found unenforceable, it will be enforced to the extent permitted and the rest of the Terms remain in effect.

• No waiver. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver of it.

• Assignment and successor entity. You may not transfer this agreement without our written consent. Yutori may assign this agreement, including all rights and obligations under it, to a limited liability company or other entity formed to carry on the Yutori Japan business, and will notify you in writing when it does. On assignment the entity becomes "Yutori" under these Terms. We may also use affiliates and contractors to perform the Services.

• Notices. Notices are effective when sent by email to the addresses each party has provided.

• Electronic acceptance. Electronic signatures and acceptance by email or through our client portal are binding.

• Survival. Sections 3, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 14 survive completion or termination of the Services.

• Version. Yutori Japan Terms & Conditions v**[2026.1-interim]**, effective [date].

16. Acknowledgment & Authorization

Yutori provides these Terms to every Client before requesting any payment, and asks for acceptance by signature or click-to-agree before the Service Fee is charged. Please read Section 14 in particular, which contains an arbitration agreement and a waiver of jury trial and class actions.