cropped-cropped-YouTube-Logo.png

NIPPON HIPPO

Terms & Conditions

Policy Terms

  1. The traveller agrees to all terms and conditions upon making the initial payment.
  2. It is the traveller’s responsibility to read and understand these terms and conditions.
  3. Nippon Hippo reserves the right to change, amend, or alter any policies, promotions, pricing, or terms and conditions at any time.
  4. Travellers are advised to request the latest version of the Terms and Conditions from Nippon Hippo prior to booking.
  5. Any arbitration against Nippon Hippo must be commenced within one week following the date of tour completion.
  6. Failure to abide by any rules and regulations may result in the withdrawal of the traveller(s).
    6.1 Nippon Hippo will not be liable for any penalty payments or other forms of punishment that may be imposed on the traveller(s).
    6.2 The traveller waives any right to punitive damages.
    6.3 Once a traveller is expelled from the trip, Nippon Hippo will no longer be responsible or liable for any subsequent actions or plans.
    6.4  Nippon Hippo reserves the right to accept or reject any person as a traveller; to expel any participant from the vacation; to make changes in the itinerary; and to cancel a tour at any time.

Travel Documentation and Insurance

  1. Each traveller must carry a valid, unexpired passport issued by their registered governmental body.
  2. Obtaining visas is the responsibility of the traveller. We urge travellers to check with all relevant consulates and/or embassies prior to travel, as some visas may be required for travellers of certain nationalities.
  3. Travellers are responsible for ensuring their passport is valid for at least six months from the return date of the trip and that all necessary visas and permits have been acquired.
  4. Travellers are advised to purchase travel insurance before traveling abroad, as it is not provided by Nippon Hippo or its partners. Insurance coverage may have restrictions and exclusions, including for pre-existing conditions. Travellers should consult with insurance carriers directly for details.
  5. The traveller agrees that neither Nippon Hippo nor its affiliates shall be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death, and property loss), or expense caused by any act or omission of any independent contractor providing services, any insurer or insurance administrator under the Travel Protection Plan, or any other person(s) involved.

Visa Application Assistance

  1. Payment for this service must be made in full upfront and is non-refundable.
  2. Nippon Hippo will not be responsible for the final result of the visa application and cannot guarantee its approval.

Payment

  1. Nippon Hippo’s listed prices do not account for bank transaction fees or variations in foreign exchange rates.
  2. The total payment may be influenced by fluctuating exchange rates, depending on the bank or service utilized.
  3. Each traveler is required to make a deposit or full payment when booking or reserving tour seats.
  4. If any incidents occur due to the travelers’ actions, the deposit or full payment will not be eligible for a refund.
  5. If a traveler withdraws from the tour for personal reasons at any point before, during, or after the trip, the fees paid will not be refunded.
  6. In the case of natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances not caused by Nippon Hippo, either directly or indirectly, the deposit or full payment will not be refunded.
  7. To confirm the tour, at least 70% of the payment must be made. The remaining balance must be paid 60 days prior to the trip’s departure.
  8. If the above condition (7) is not met, the tour will be considered cancelled and a cancellation fee will be applied as per the table below:
Days Before Departure
Cancellation Fee
30 Days
100% of full payment
  1. A non-refundable processing fee of 4% of the full payment will be applied for payments made via debit or credit card.
  2. Nippon Hippo requires proof of payment for administrative tracking.
  3. Please note that Nippon Hippo’s quoted prices are subject to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances such as exchange rate fluctuations or cost increases.
  4. Once an invoice has been issued and a deposit or full payment has been received, the tour price will remain fixed.
  5. It is the traveler’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of the invoice. Any additional requests not included on the invoice will not be considered part of the terms and conditions.

Itinerary

  1. Itineraries are subject to alteration if airline schedules are amended or other conditions require it.
  2. In the event of a natural disaster or political turmoil, travelers shall not be allowed to claim indemnity if itinerary changes are caused by forces of nature or for reasons relating to the travelers’ safety.
  3. Some potential events that may cause changes to the itinerary include (but are not limited to) agent or supplier’s inability to provide or facilitate a request, civil or religious celebrations, strikes, protests, or demonstrations, terrorist (or gang) attacks, fights or round-ups, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados or typhoons.
  4. If travelers decide to diverge from the original itinerary, they shall be fully responsible for their own travels and/or maneuvers from and to whatever locations they wish to travel towards.
  5. Nippon Hippo shall not be liable for nor be in breach of the terms and conditions for any delay in performance or non-performance of its obligations under these terms if the delay or non-performance is due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the company, including but not limited to acts of God, war or threat of war, terrorist activity, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions.

Disruptions & Challenges

  1. The traveler(s) agree to not produce physical, mental, and/or psychological disruptions to other travelers, the tour guide, or the tour.
  2. The traveler(s) accept full responsibility for their conduct during the tour.
  3. The traveler(s) agree to not bring any unregistered person(s) on the trip.
  4. The traveler(s) agree to indemnify Nippon Hippo against any claims, losses, demands, costs, and other expenses that may arise as a result of damage to property, person or accommodation, being refused travel, or flight diversion due to behavioral issues.
  5. Nippon Hippo and its affiliates shall not be held liable for any loss, damage or theft of personal belongings or luggage, or for the repatriation of customers in case of illness, death or accident.
  6. The traveler(s) acknowledge that the itinerary, accommodation, tour guide, commute, and overall trip details are predetermined and cannot be customized. Any requests for changes to these aspects are subject to the discretion of Nippon Hippo and may not be accommodated depending on the situation. If Nippon Hippo agrees to fulfill such requests, no refunds will be provided for the altered services. The traveler(s) agree that they will not seek refunds or chargebacks for such requests.
  7. The traveler(s) acknowledge that meal selections and portions are predetermined and cannot be customized or reduced. Any requests for changes to meal selections and portions are subject to the discretion of Nippon Hippo and may not be accommodated depending on the situation. If Nippon Hippo agrees to fulfill such requests, no refunds will be provided for the reduced meal portions. The traveler(s) agree that they will not seek refunds or chargebacks for such requests.
  8. The traveler(s) is required to communicate any dissatisfaction regarding the tour guide, meals, hotels, or drivers to our team on the same day during the tour. We will strive to address and resolve any issues to the best of our ability, depending on the situation. Please note that any complaints made after the completion of the trip will not be acknowledged. This is to ensure that we can provide immediate solutions and maintain the quality of our service during the tour.

Commute

  1. Nippon Hippo is entrusted with the responsibility of executing all activities as per the agreed itinerary. Any requests for modifications to the itinerary post-payment or during the journey are subject to Nippon Hippo’s discretion and may be accommodated depending on the circumstances. If Nippon Hippo consents to such changes, additional charges will be incurred.
  2. In the event of delays, alterations, weather or technical issues, the time spent at the subsequent destination may be reduced and substitutions of similar value may be made.
  3. Nippon Hippo or its associates do not accept any liability for damage, loss, or inconvenience in the handling of travelers’ luggage or personal belongings.
  4. Nippon Hippo is not responsible for schedule delays resulting from traffic conditions caused by traffic accidents, weather conditions, or other traffic-related issues beyond the company’s control.
  5. Nippon Hippo does not accept any liability in the event of transportation failure, including but not limited to delay in outward or inward flights, whether caused by weather, airline rescheduling, industrial action or mechanical failure. No refunds or compensation will be given for lost time and services from the itinerary due to delayed or cancelled flights or public transportation included in the traveler’s itinerary.
  6. For intra-city travel, Nippon Hippo will not utilize highways. If travelers insist on using highways, they will be required to pay the highway fee on the spot.
  7. Nippon Hippo offers one free baby car seat per tour booking. Additional baby car seats are available for a fee of 3,000 yen per seat for the entire duration of your trip. To secure a baby car seat for your child, you must request it during your tour consultation session.

Accommodation & Place of Stay

  1. While Nippon Hippo makes every effort to ensure accuracy in hotel information and descriptions, we are reliant on accommodations to give us accurate details. Since they are constantly changing facilities and services, we cannot be liable for any errors or omissions.
  2. If any feature is of critical importance to the vacation, it is the traveler’s responsibility to ask Nippon Hippo to check whether those features will be available at the time of occupancy at the given accommodation.
  3. Nippon Hippo will try its best to provide travelers with the most comfortable experience possible, but it is the travelers’ responsibility to check the itinerary prior to providing payment. Doing so will indicate that the traveler(s) agree to the pre-decided accommodations.
  4. Twin share accommodation is based on twin or double-bedded rooms, which are allocated by the hotel. Triple accommodation is normally supplied on the basis of a twin or double bed plus a roll-away bed.
  5. Single room accommodation must be reserved by people traveling alone and is subject to the payment of the applicable supplement.
  6. If during peak holiday periods Nippon Hippo is unable to confirm the specified accommodation, travelers will be assigned an accommodation of a similar standard as mentioned in the itineraries.

Chauffeur Service

  1. Our chauffeur service is available for a duration of 10 hours per day, commencing from the agreed pick-up location. This duration includes any potential delays due to traffic congestion or other unforeseen circumstances.
  2. In the event that the service extends beyond the allocated 10-hour period, it will be classified as overtime.
  3. Overtime charges are set at a rate of 7000 yen per hour. Please note that even a minor extension beyond the agreed end time will result in overtime charges. (For example, if the service supposed to ends at 8.00pm, but extends slightly to 8:01 PM, it will be considered as one hour of overtime. Similarly, if it extends to 9:01 PM, it will be considered as two hours of overtime.)

  4. Travelers may choose to settle the full payment during the tour confirmation prior to their departure for Japan or make the payment directly to driver upon their arrival in Japan.

    4.1  Settle the full payment during the tour confirmation prior to their departure for Japan:
    – To confirm the reservation of the driver service, a deposit amounting to 70% of the total cost is required. This deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances.
    – The remaining balance of 30% must be cleared prior to the departure for Japan.
    – In the event of a cancellation less than 30 days before the tour, the full payment is required.
    – Travelers will only receive receipts from our Malaysia company. No other receipts will be provided.

    4.2  Make the payment directly to driver upon their arrival in Japan:
    – A deposit is required to confirm the reservation of the driver service.
    – Upon meeting the driver in Japan, travellers are required to immediately pay the full amount of to the driver.
    – Once the driver has received the full payment, Nippon Hippo will refund the deposit within two working days.
    – The deposit is non-refundable if the service is cancelled for any reason.
    – If the service is cancelled less than 30 days before the tour, the full payment is required.
    – Travellers will only receive a handwritten receipt from the driver in Japan. No other receipts will be provided.

Tour Guide Arrangement

  1. During the tour, there may be one or more tour guides assigned to the trip. The number of tour guides is determined by Nippon Hippo based on various factors including but not limited to the size of the group, the nature of the activities, and logistical considerations. The traveler(s) agree to respect and follow the instructions of all assigned tour guides for the duration of the trip.

  2. Our tour guides are committed to providing services for a duration of 8 to 10 hours per day(the specifics of each tour may differ). Please note that any requirement for services beyond the agreed duration during itinerary planning stage will be considered as overtime and will be subject to additional charges.

Tour Guide Responsibilities

  1. Responsibilities of Tour Guides: Our tour guides are entrusted with the task of organizing and leading tours. They ensure adherence to the itinerary and maintain the schedule.

  2. Coordination: Tour guides are also tasked with coordinating the movement of tourist groups to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

  3. Language Assistance: Our guides provide assistance in bridging language gaps for those who may not be fluent in the local language, facilitating seamless communication.

  4. Information Provision: Tour guides are committed to providing visitors with interesting and factual information about the places they visit, enhancing the overall tour experience.

  5. Ticket Purchases and Service Bookings: If necessary, tour guides may be responsible for purchasing attraction tickets and booking on-ground services. This is applicable if tickets have not been purchased or services have not been booked in advance for any reason.

  6. Additional Service Requests: Traveler(s) may request services that are not explicitly mentioned in points 1 to 5 during the itinerary planning stage or during the trip. These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that these additional services may or may not incur extra charges. The final decision on whether to accept these requests rests with Nippon Hippo.

Driver Arrangement

  1. In the event of a flight delay, we kindly ask you to inform us as soon as possible.
  2. Please note that delays or cancellations of your connecting flights may impact your pre-booked car service. Regrettably, we cannot accommodate changes or cancellations in such circumstances.
  3. Our standard rates apply from 6:00 am to 10:59 pm. Please note that prices may vary depending on the type of car selected.
  4. For services between 11:00 pm and 5:59 am, an additional fee of 3000 yen will be charged on top of the standard rate. This also applies to delayed waiting times. For instance, if a customer is scheduled to meet the driver at 9:30 pm but arrives late at 11:15 pm, an additional waiting time fee of 5000 yen and a late-night fee of 3000 yen will be charged.
  5. Due to airport regulations, long-term parking at arrival areas is often prohibited. The driver will wait in the designated parking lot. Once you have collected your luggage, the driver will move the car to a designated pick-up location. Depending on the airport layout, you may need to wait at this pick-up spot for approximately 10-15 minutes.
  6. Customers have the option to schedule their meet-up time with the driver based on their flight landing time or a self-set time. This needs to be decided during the itinerary planning and payment stage.

Schedule Meet Up Time Based On Flight Landing Time

  1. If you set your meet-up time based on your flight landing time and your flight is delayed by up to 2 hours, the driver can still accommodate you. They will wait for a maximum of 90 minutes after your new arrival time.
  2. If there’s any delay, you need to inform our support team about the reason and the estimated new meet-up time.
  3. Depending on the situation, the driver may accept or reject your delay request.
  4. If the driver agrees to wait, you’ll be charged an extra ¥5,000 for every 30 minutes beyond the agreed end time.
  5. Extra charges will be paid directly to the driver.
  6. This applies even if you’re just a minute late (for example, if you’re supposed to meet at 8:00 PM, the extra charge applies from 8:01 PM to 8:30 PM).
  7. If the driver rejects your delay request, you won’t get a refund.
  8. You can request a new driver if your original driver can’t wait, but this depends on driver availability. Please note that this would be considered a new order, so you’ll need to pay again.

Schedule Meet Up Time Based On A Self-set Time

  1. The driver will wait for a maximum of 30 minutes from the agreed meet up time during itinerary planning stage.
  2. If there’s any delay, you need to inform our support team about the reason and the estimated new meet-up time.
  3. Depending on the situation, the driver may accept or reject your delay request.
  4. If the driver agrees to wait, you’ll be charged an extra ¥5,000 for every 30 minutes beyond the agreed meet up time during itinerary planning stage.
  5. Extra charges will be paid directly to the driver.
  6. This applies even if you’re just a minute late (for example, if you’re supposed to meet at 8:00 PM, the extra charge applies from 8:01 PM to 8:30 PM).
  7. If the driver rejects your delay request, you won’t get a refund.
  8. You can request a new driver if your original driver can’t wait, but this depends on driver availability. Please note that this would be considered a new order, so you’ll need to pay again.

Additional Services

  1. Customers may request the driver to hold a sign for an additional charge of 2000 yen. The driver will park the car in the designated lot and wait for you at the arrivals lobby or exit with your name displayed. The specific pick-up procedure will be communicated directly by the driver.
  2. Child seat fee: the first child seat is free, and the second child seat costs an additional 5,000 yen/child.
Scroll to Top