INOW

Kamikatsu, Japan

INOW connects people and place through immersive, community-rooted experiences in Japan’s first zero waste village.

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Terms and Conditions

Booking Procedure

By applying to and participating in an INOW program in Kamikatsu, Japan, participants agree to the following terms and conditions.

These terms are intended to help ensure a safe, respectful, and clearly understood experience for all participants, organisers, local partners, and community members.

For the purposes of these terms, “the organisers” refers to the INOW organising team. Any concerns or disputes should first be raised directly with the organisers in good faith.

1. Participation and Community Guidelines

  1. Participants agree to follow the instructions and guidelines provided by INOW throughout the application process, program activities, accommodation, transportation, and related communication.
  2. Participants are expected to behave respectfully toward other participants, the INOW team, local partners, residents, and the wider Kamikatsu community.
  3. Participants are expected to participate actively and respectfully in the program and to follow reasonable safety instructions provided by the organisers or local partners.

2. Selection and Confirmation of Place

  1. Depending on the program, participation may be limited to a small group to maintain the quality of the learning experience and meaningful interaction with the local community.
  2. Where an application or selection process applies, applicants may be assessed based on their motivation, interests, expectations, and suitability for the program.
  3. Selection decisions are made at the discretion of the organisers.
  4. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application where applicable.
  5. Where a deposit is required, a place may be provisionally offered following acceptance. The place is confirmed once the required deposit has been received by the stated deadline.
  6. Any program-specific application requirements, deadlines, participant limits, and confirmation procedures will be communicated separately.

3. Program

  1. Participants agree to take part in the scheduled program activities, which may include workshops, field visits, community exchanges, guided experiences, and other learning activities.
  2. INOW programs are rooted in the local culture, environment, and everyday life of Kamikatsu. Activities, meals, locations, and local partners may vary depending on seasonal conditions, availability, weather, and other local circumstances.
  3. The organisers may make reasonable changes to the program where necessary while aiming to preserve its overall purpose and learning experience.
  4. The program language, interpretation, and translation arrangements may vary by program. The organisers will communicate the applicable arrangements in advance.
  5. Participants are responsible for reviewing the program description and confirming that its content, language, schedule, and participation requirements meet their expectations before applying.

4. Participation Fee and Payment

  1. The participation fee, currency, applicable taxes, payment schedule, and included services will be specified in the relevant program description or payment instructions.
  2. Where applicable, a deposit may be required to reserve a place. The amount, payment deadline, and refund conditions will be communicated before payment.
  3. Any remaining balance must be paid by the deadline specified for the relevant program.
  4. Unless otherwise stated, a place is not considered fully confirmed until all required payments have been received.
  5. The participation fee cannot be reduced or refunded if a participant chooses not to take part in particular activities, meals, or other elements included in the program.
  6. Accommodation, travel to and from Kamikatsu, travel insurance, personal expenses, and other items not expressly included in the program fee are the participant’s responsibility.
  7. Any bank transfer, payment processing, currency conversion, or other transaction fees associated with payment are the responsibility of the participant, unless otherwise stated.

5. Cancellation by the Participant

  1. Participants who wish to cancel must notify the organisers in writing. Refund eligibility will be determined based on the date on which the organisers receive the written cancellation notice.
  2. Any non-refundable deposit and applicable cancellation fees will be specified in the relevant program description or booking confirmation before payment.
  3. Unless otherwise specified, the following cancellation policy applies to the amount paid:
    • More than 30 days before the program start date: Refund of the amount paid, excluding any non-refundable deposit and unrecoverable transaction fees.
    • 15–30 days before the program start date: 50% refund of the amount paid beyond any non-refundable deposit.
    • 14 days or fewer before the program start date, or after the program has begun: No refund.
  4. Where a program specifies a different cancellation policy, the policy communicated for that program will apply.
  5. Any bank, transfer, currency exchange, or payment processing fees that cannot be recovered by the organisers are non-refundable.
  6. Refunds will be made using the original payment method where possible and processed within 14 days of the organisers confirming the cancellation.

6. Cancellation or Changes by the Organisers

  1. If the organisers cancel a program before it begins, participation fees paid will be refunded, except for any non-refundable third-party transaction fees that cannot be recovered by the organisers.
  2. INOW reserves the right to cancel group programs, in case of fewer than three participants, up to three weeks in advance.
    In the event of a cancellation, participants may choose between a full refund or an alternative private program scheduled within the same dates and at the same price as the original group program. The content, activities, and itinerary of the alternative program may differ from those originally mentioned.
  3. Cancellation may occur due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, illness, safety concerns, venue unavailability, transport disruption, government restrictions, or other circumstances beyond the organisers’ reasonable control.
  4. Where possible, the organisers will provide notice of cancellation as early as reasonably possible. Circumstances beyond the organisers’ control may require cancellation or changes at short notice.
  5. The program schedule, activities, local partners, meals, transportation, venues, and other program elements may change where necessary due to weather, safety, availability, or local circumstances.
  6. If a program must be shortened or interrupted after it has begun due to circumstances beyond the organisers’ reasonable control, any refund will be considered by the organisers based on the circumstances, the services already provided, and the costs already incurred.
  7. The organisers are not responsible for reimbursing travel, accommodation, insurance, visa, or other personal expenses incurred by participants as a result of cancellation or changes to a program.

7. Participant Responsibility, Insurance, and Health

  1. Participants are responsible for arranging appropriate travel, health, accident, personal, and travel cancellation insurance.
  2. Participants are responsible for checking the visa and entry requirements applicable to their nationality and for obtaining any required visa.
  3. INOW programs may include outdoor activities, walking on uneven terrain, hands-on workshops, local transportation, farming or other practical activities, and visits to rural locations.
  4. Participants are expected to follow all safety instructions provided by INOW and its local partners and to participate in activities according to their own abilities and circumstances.
  5. Participants must inform the organisers in advance of any allergies, dietary restrictions, access needs, or other circumstances that may affect their participation. INOW will make reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs but cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
  6. Participants are responsible for deciding whether the program and its activities are suitable for their individual circumstances. Where necessary, participants should seek appropriate professional advice before taking part in activities that may affect their health or safety.
  7. Participants must provide accurate and relevant information to help the organisers prepare for their safe and appropriate participation.

8. Accommodation and Shared Spaces

  1. Accommodation is not included in the program fee unless specifically stated otherwise.
  2. Where accommodation is not included, participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodation.
  3. Participants agree to respect the rules, customs, shared facilities, property, and other guests at their accommodation and at program venues.
  4. Participants may be responsible for damage, loss, or additional cleaning costs caused by their actions.
  5. Any accommodation arrangements coordinated or recommended by INOW will be explained separately. Unless expressly agreed otherwise, participants remain responsible for their own accommodation bookings and related expenses.

9. Photography, Video, and Media

  1. INOW may photograph or record activities during a program for documentation, educational, reporting, archival, and promotional purposes.
  2. Participants who have concerns about being photographed or filmed should inform the organisers before or during the program.
  3. Where appropriate, INOW may request additional consent for specific uses of photographs or recordings.
  4. Participants are expected to respect the privacy of other participants, local residents, and community members and should seek permission before photographing or recording others where appropriate.
  5. Any specific consent requirements or restrictions will be communicated separately where necessary.

10. Personal Information and Privacy

  1. Personal information submitted during the application and program preparation process will be used for purposes including participant selection, communication, payment administration, safety, accommodation coordination, dietary and access requirements, and program operation.
  2. Information will be shared with relevant organisers or local partners only where reasonably necessary for the delivery and safety of the program.
  3. Participants should provide accurate and up-to-date information relevant to their participation.
  4. INOW will handle personal information appropriately and in accordance with applicable privacy laws and requirements.

11. Conduct and Removal from a Program

  1. INOW is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive environment for participants, staff, local partners, and community members.
  2. The organisers reserve the right to ask a participant to leave a program if their behaviour seriously compromises the safety, dignity, or experience of other participants, staff, local partners, or community members.
  3. This may include harassment, discrimination, threatening behaviour, violence, serious disruption, significant damage to property, or repeated failure to follow reasonable safety instructions.
  4. The organisers may take immediate action where necessary to protect the safety or wellbeing of participants, staff, local partners, or community members.
  5. If a participant is removed from a program due to serious misconduct or a serious breach of these terms, no refund will normally be provided. The participant will also be responsible for arranging and paying for any necessary onward travel or accommodation.
  6. The organisers will consider the circumstances of an incident when determining an appropriate response.

12. General Provisions

  1. Program-specific information, including dates, fees, payment schedules, cancellation deadlines, included services, and other arrangements, will be provided in the relevant program description or booking confirmation.
  2. Where program-specific terms differ from these general terms, the program-specific terms will apply to the relevant matter.
  3. These terms are intended to be read alongside the information provided during the application and booking process.
  4. Participants are encouraged to contact the organisers before applying if they have questions or require clarification about any of these terms.

Contact Information

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