A USD $300.00 non-refundable reservation deposit is required to hold your place on the tour. The balance of funds for
the tour is due 90 days before the start date of the tour. Please make your check payable to: JSGT.
Please mail your DEPOSIT check with your SIGNED Terms and Conditions of Tour and
Assumption of Risk and Liability forms to:
Japan Specialized Group Tours or JSGT
13454 – 94th Pl. NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
Funds can also be wired to the JSGT Client Trust Account. Please request wire instructions for this purpose. In this
case Forms may be sent by post or emailed.
Japan Specialized Group Tours Inc. is licensed and registered in the State of Washington, Bonded, and Insured.
Terms and Conditions of Tour
Price of the tour is per person. The $300.00 deposit holds your place on the tour and is nonrefundable unless the tour is cancelled by JSGT. Final payment is due 90 days before the start date of the tour. Single rooms are assigned (when available) for single travelers and twin (double occupancy) rooms if there is someone you wish to share with. A surcharge will be added to the price of the tour if a single person requires a twin room to oneself when single rooms are unavailable which usually occurs on hiking tours when staying in a ryokan or onsen hotel. Japan Specialized Group Tours (JSGT) organizer of this tour, reserves the right to adjust the cost of the trip in the event of currency fluctuation and according to the number of participants. The price of tours in 2016 are set at 115 yen per dollar and by the minimum number of participants (8 for most tours, 12 for horticulture tours). Beginning in 2017 the price of each tour will be set at a dollar/yen rate listed under ‘Cost of the Tour’ at the end of the Itinerary. The dollar/yen rates fluctuate dramatically at times. A surcharge will be added to the price of the tour if in 2016, the dollar has dropped below 115 yen per dollar 20 days before the start date of the tour. Beginning in 2017, there will be a surcharge if the dollar drops below the rate set per itinerary.
INCLUDED IN TOUR:
*All train travel between cities in Japan. Taxi service is our main mode of transportation within cities. For day trips we sometimes use private coach or public transportation.
*Accommodations for all nights in well located, pleasant western style hotels. *All breakfasts with western and Japanese food choices. Single occupancy rooms are the norm unless there is someone you would like to share a room with.
NOTE: on hiking tours we stay in traditional Japanese inns in double occupancy rooms, occasionally with shared bathrooms; traditional Japanese food for breakfast and dinner).
*Lunches and Dinners per itinerary
* Two full time guides, at least one who speaks both fluent Japanese and English.
*Admission fees to all gardens and other places of interest per itinerary.
*Luggage transfers (number of times varies per tour)
* A Daily Tour Itinerary with time schedules, names of hotels, restaurants and places we’ll visit including detailed background information.
*Tips for Travel in Japan, Onsen etiquette, List of things to pack, maps of carefully chosen restaurants in the neighborhoods near our hotels
*A pre tour meeting of participants to address your questions and concerns. Presentation on the history and development of gardens in Japan if requested.
EXCLUTIONS: International airfare is NOT included. Please purchase your ticket on your own. You will be met by your guides and escorted to the hotel. Notify your guides of your air travel schedule so that we can meet you upon your arrival in Japan. Please DO NOT purchase your airline ticket until you are notified that the tour is a ‘GO’.
Also not included are trip insurance, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, copies, meals and alcoholic beverages other than those specified in the itinerary.
You must be physically fit. We do a lot of walking, sometimes up to five miles per day. At times, there are uneven surfaces or long flights of stairs to climb with no elevators or escalators available. Except when luggage transfer service is provided you may need to carry your own luggage without the aid of others and it is best to travel light. A small suitcase plus a day pack work best.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Proof of Trip Insurance is required on hiking tours. Contact: insure my trip.com for travel insurance choices. Your insurance should include cancellation of trip, loss of property, medical evacuation and all other conditions that may cause damage or inconvenience to you. You must also insure that there are no exclusion clauses in your policy that would limit protection from the type of activities on the tour such as hiking and boating.
If the tour is filled to capacity and a ‘waiting list’ develops, those on a waiting list will have their deposit returned to them. There is always a chance of cancellations so people near the top of the waiting list have a good chance of attending the tour.
Cancellation by you: All cancellations must be done in writing. Cancellations prior to the start date of the tour* will be charged the following penalty fees: 90-60 days prior to start date of tour: 20% of tour cost; 59-45 days prior to start date of tour: 30% of tour cost; 44-30 days prior to start date of tour: 40% of the tour cost; 29-15 days prior to start date of tour: 75% of the tour cost. 14 days or less before the start date of tour: 100% of tour cost.
We expect a group of at least 8 participants plus two guides for most tours. Horticultural tours require more guides and an interpreter and we are able to accommodate up to 16 participants. If there are less than 8 participants fully signed up 90 days prior to the trip, JSGT reserves the right to cancel or postpone the trip and all monies paid by you will be fully refunded. We can accommodate smaller groups with a price adjustment.
JSGT reserves the right to alter the tour itinerary in the event of weather difficulties and other unforeseen circumstances or opportunities to fulfill special interests of our participants.
Plan to bring extra money for transportation during evenings and free time, meals not included on the tour, and souvenirs. Japan is a cash society and credit cards are not accepted in most small places. It is best to change dollars or Travelers Checks when you first arrive at the Japan airport where you will get a good rate. Carrying cash in a money belt is best however Japan is quite safe. Post offices, some banks, big hotels and department stores exchange money also but are not often convenient to use. A VISA credit card is best for use in an international ATM, however again, they may not be convenient to access. International ATM machines can be found at the airport, post offices, 7-11s and big department stores. Notify your bank or credit card company that you are traveling to Japan so that they can expect to see withdrawals from a foreign country. There is no tipping in Japan except in the case of chipping in for a tip for the drivers of Private Coach.
The weather in Japan at the time of our tour averages highs in the 60s low 70s F and lows in the 50s F. Bring comfortable clothes and comfortable walking shoes. There are many places in Japan where you will need to remove your shoes before entering. Slippers are not acceptable but socks with non-skid bottoms are a good idea.
If you would like to arrive early or extend your time in Japan for a day or two we can help with hotel reservations. Itineraries including routes and timetables will require an extra fee. The fee for this service depends on the type of itinerary needed and number of reservations required.
Marilyn Tsuchiya can be contacted at marilyntsuchiya@comcast.net or telephone: 206-491-4612 during regular business hours Pacific Standard Time.
I acknowledge that I have read, fully understand, and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Tours contained herein.
Assumption of Risk and Liability Agreement:
By signing this Agreement you are giving up certain legal rights, including the right to recover damages in case of injury, death, or property damage. Please read this Agreement carefully before signing it. Your signature indicates your understanding and agreement of the terms of this Agreement.
Your participation in the tour is subject to your agreement to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Therefore, in consideration of being allowed to participate in the tour, the services of JSGT and other consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, I (the undersigned) hereby represent and agree as follows:
I have voluntarily applied for the tour designated above with the full knowledge of the risks and dangers involved, known and unknown, including but not limited to: negligence on the part of JSGT; physical exertion for which I am not prepared; forces of nature; transportation, whether by plane, bus, auto, boat, or other conveyance; consumption of alcoholic beverages; risks associated with food or impure water; civil unrest; terrorism; criminal activity; dangers associated with wild or other animals; high altitude; accident or illness without access to means of rapid evacuation or availability of medical supplies or services; the adequacy of medical attention once provided; and stolen, lost, or misplaced luggage or property. I am adequately covered by my own insurance and assume all risks and dangers of the tour. I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN WELFARE AND ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY DELAY, UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, INCONVENIENCE, ILLNESS, INJURY, EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OR DEATH.
I am physically fit and in good health. I understand that I will be a member of a group. If I detract from the enjoyment of the tour by others or if I am unable to meet the rigors and requirements of participating in the activities of the tour, I may be removed prior to or during the tour at my own expense.
JSGT does not own or operate any of the entities that will provide goods or services for the tour, such as lodging facilities, transportation companies, food service providers, etc. Accordingly, JSGT will not be liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such entity or any other third party.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I hereby release JSGT, its owners, affiliates and contractors, their respective employees, agents and representatives, and the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing from any and all liability that may arise out of my participation in the tour. This release is legally binding upon me, my heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives.
I have carefully read this Agreement, have been given the opportunity to ask questions and seek counsel, and fully understand the terms of this Agreement. JSGT has not made any representations, statements, or inducements, oral or written, contrary to the terms of this Agreement. My agreement to the terms of this Agreement is voluntary. I am aware that this Agreement releases JSGT from potential liabilities and is a binding contract between me and JSGT and that JSGT is relying upon this Agreement in allowing me to participate in the tour. I sign it of my own free will. This Agreement will become effective upon its receipt by JSGT and will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington USA. To the extent any of the terms of this Agreement are found to be invalid, all other terms will remain in effect.
I acknowledge that I have read, fully understand, and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Tours contained herein.