TERMS OF SERVICE

RESPONSIBILITY

Nobechi Creative will provide educational enrichment for trips as outlined in its catalog and on its website (www.nobechicreative.com) (each an “Expedition”) and may license qualified professional tour operators to organize and administer parts of such Expeditions. Any such designated tour operator, its parent, subsidiaries, and assigns, and their respective employees, affiliates, officers, directors, successors, representatives, agents and assigns (collectively “Tour Operator”), in turn, acts only as an agent for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected with specific Expeditions (“Other Providers”), and the Other Providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers will constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the participants are not aboard their conveyances.

Nobechi Creative, and their respective employees, affiliates, officers, directors, successors, representatives, agents and assigns (collectively “Nobechi Creative”) and the Tour Operator will not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any Other Provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such Other Provider; and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, earthquake, tsunami, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against Nobechi Creative and/or the Tour Operator for any such loss, damage, injury, or death.

By registering for an Expedition, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for himself or herself or other participants. Nobechi Creative and the tour operator reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on an Expedition. Nobechi Creative and the tour operator reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the participants.

Neither Nobechi Creative, nor the Tour Operator, will be liable for any air carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participant's Expedition departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please Note: The applicable Terms and Conditions may vary from those listed below based upon the specific Expedition selected by the participant. A copy of the final Terms and Conditions applicable to each participant will be sent in pre-Expedition communications. If a court of competent jurisdiction or an arbitrator holds that any provision is invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity will not affect the validity or operation of any other provision and such invalid provision will be deemed to be severed from this Agreement.

Basis of Pricing: All prices are (i) per person based on two persons sharing a room or cabin, unless otherwise noted, (ii) quoted in U.S. dollars, (iii) estimates based on tariffs, currency values, airfares and third-party charges, and (iv) subject to change prior to booking. Notification of the current price relevant to the Expedition will be provided to the Participant at the time of booking. After booking, if it is necessary to levy an additional surcharge, Nobechi Creative reserves the right to do so, and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.

Eligibility: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire Expedition. Some itineraries have minimum age requirements—call for more information.

Included in Expedition Cost: Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner); educational materials; pre-departure information; entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary; domestic transportation during the Expedition, unless otherwise noted; transfers to and from group flights where applicable; services of Nobechi Creative experts and/or local guides, lecturers, Expedition leaders, and any other staff; and taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges. Please note: the “B, L, D” notations apply to the period during the Expedition only and do not include any meals on flights to/from the Expedition. Internal airfare is included on some international Expeditions as indicated in the itinerary.

Not Included in Expedition Cost: Air transportation and related fees (except as indicated in the itinerary); activities noted as optional in the itinerary; gratuities, unless otherwise noted on the itinerary page; passport, visa, and permit expenses; medical expenses and immunizations; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, taxis, and alcoholic beverages; and any other items not specifically noted as included.

Single/Shared Accommodations: A limited number of single rooms/cabins are available at an extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Nobechi Creative and/or the tour operator will assist persons requesting a roommate. The participants will be notified if a suitable roommate is not available, in which case the single rate will be charged.

Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds: To reserve space on an Expedition, a $500 per-person deposit is required for Expeditions that are six days or less; a $1500 per-person deposit is required for Expeditions that are seven to 15 days, except if noted on the itinerary page. Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure. Payments must be made by credit card. A participant’s reservation may be canceled if full payment has not been received by 60 days prior to departure. For reservations made within 90 days of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If a participant cancels 120 days or more prior to departure, a refund less an administrative fee of 50% of the deposit will be made. Per-person charges for cancellations that occur less than 120 days prior to departure (“Cancellation Period”) are as follows: 91-119 days prior to departure: 100% of the deposit amount; 45-90 days prior to departure: 50% of the Expedition cost; 44 or fewer days prior to departure: 100% of the Expedition cost. This policy also applies to pre- and post-Expedition extensions and extra arrangements confirmed on any participant’s behalf. Any revisions made within the Cancellation Period, such as a change in departure date or choice of Expedition, are subject to this cancellation policy. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier’s refund policy. Arriving late or leaving an Expedition in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of an Expedition. Nobechi Creative reserves the right to cancel any Expedition because of inadequate enrollment that makes the Expedition economically infeasible to operate or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. If an Expedition is canceled prior to departure, the tour operator will provide the participants with a full refund of monies paid to the tour operator; except in the event that the cancellation is due to a significant event that makes it infeasible to operate the Expedition as planned, in which case the tour operator will provide the participants with a refund and/or credit toward a future Expedition equivalent to the amount paid to the tour operator.

If Nobechi Creative or the tour operator cancels the Expedition in progress, the participants will receive a prorated refund based on the number of days not completed on the Expedition. If a participant elects to leave an Expedition in progress of their own volition, the participant will not receive any type of refund. If Nobechi Creative or the tour operator cancels the Expedition in progress and the participant elects not to immediately return to his/her original point of departure for the Expedition, or if the participant elects to leave an Expedition in progress of their own volition, the participant acknowledges and agrees that (i) the participant shall be solely responsible for his/her travel plans once he/she departs the Expedition, (ii) neither Nobechi Creative nor the Tour Operator shall have any responsibility for or control over the participant’s safety or activities once he/she departs the Expedition, and (iii) the participant releases and holds harmless Nobechi Creative and the Tour Operator, from any and all costs, liability, loss, damage, injury, or death that may arise out of the participant's decision to not return to his/her original point of departure from the cancelled Expedition in progress. Except as outlined above when Nobechi Creative cancels an Expedition, Nobechi Creative and the Tour Operator have no responsibility for any expenses, including any non-refundable expenses, incurred by the participants in preparing for a cancelled Expedition or for any additional arrangements should the participants embark prior to the scheduled group departure date.

Optional Excursions: If a participant elects to participate in any additional activity or excursion that is not arranged or led by Nobechi Creative or the Tour Operator, neither Nobechi Creative nor the Tour Operator shall have any responsibility for or control over the participant’s safety or well-being, and the participant releases and holds harmless Nobechi Creative and the Tour Operator from any and all costs, liability, loss, damage, injury, or death arising from the participant’s decision to participate in such activity or excursion.

Trip-cancellation insurance is now required for our trips - you are responsible for obtaining them.

Itinerary Changes: The itineraries and staff presented in the catalog or on the website are subject to modification and change by Nobechi Creative or the tour operator. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate Expeditions as planned, but alterations may still occur after final itineraries are sent.

Documentation: Participants are responsible for obtaining any documents required for their participation in the Expedition such as a valid passport, all visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents. Failure to obtain documents does not negate the terms and conditions, and any extra costs incurred for rerouting due to travel without the necessary documents will be the participant’s responsibility.

Health Requirements: Nobechi Creative reasonably accommodates travelers with disabilities on all of its trips, but not all trips may be suitable for all travelers. Any physical condition, diet, or treatment requiring special attention must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels, train stations and airports to board an aircraft and on location for many excursions. If the participant requires a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements may be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our Expedition staff. Depending upon the nature of the arrangements, extra costs for such arrangements may be the responsibility of the participant. If the participant would like to forgo some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, he/she may feel free to do so at any time. Please call Nobechi Creative for further details if you require special accommodation to participate on this Expedition. Nobechi Creative encourages participants to consult a doctor for specific medical advice about any activities or destinations. Certain Expeditions require that each Participant obtains his/her physician’s approval to join the Expedition, and in those cases, Nobechi Creative will send the Participant a form for his/her physician to sign and return per instructions outlined in the pre-Expedition communications.

Medical Authorization and Coverage: In the event the participant becomes sufficiently incapacitated as to be unable to direct his or her own care, there is no one on the Expedition who can direct participant’s care, and Nobechi Creative is unable or does not have time to contact participant’s emergency contact, the participant, by registering and paying a deposit for an Expedition, authorizes any medical treatment deemed necessary in the event of any injury or illness while participating in the activity including, but not limited to, X-ray, examination, anesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis, or treatment and hospital care which is deemed advisable by, and is to be rendered under the general or specific supervision of, any physician and/or surgeon licensed in Japan, or, by a duly licensed physician deemed competent to render the necessary care. In addition, the participant certifies that they have medical insurance which will cover personal accidents, medical expenses, medical evacuation, air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the participant, or that in the absence of this medical insurance coverage, the participant agrees to pay all costs of rescue and/or medical services as may be incurred on the participant’s behalf.

Photography: Nobechi Creative, the tour operator, and the Expedition leader reserve the right to take photographs or videos during the operation of any Expedition or part thereof and to use the resulting photography, videos, or recordings for promotional or commercial use. By making a reservation on an Expedition, the participant agrees to allow his/her likeness to be used by Nobechi Creative, Nobechi Creative-authorized third parties, and the tour operator without compensation to the participant. If the participant prefers that his/her likeness not be used, he/she must notify Nobechi Creative and/or the tour operator in writing prior to departure of the Expedition.

Copyright in all photographs, video, and related materials created by the participant (“Expedition Materials”) will belong to the participant upon creation. The participant grants to Nobechi Creative a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license to use any Expedition Materials provided to Nobechi Creative and/or the tour operator in any media for the following limited purposes in a not-for-profit capacity: editorial use, promotion of this editorial use, promotion of Nobechi Creative’s travel programs, or promotion of the mission of Nobechi Creative.

Assumption of Risk: By registering for an Expedition, the participant acknowledges that he/she is aware that travel such as the Expedition he/she is undertaking involves potentially dangerous activities, some in remote areas of the world, with a risk of illness, injury or death which may be caused by forces of nature, illness, or by willful or criminal conduct of third parties or by terrorism. The participant further acknowledges that weather conditions may be severe, adverse and/or unpleasant and that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible or consistent with standards in the United States during some or all of the time during which he/she is participating on the Expedition and that when available may not be of the quality which exists in the United States.

ONLINE WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND E-LEARNING

Internet Connectivity: Participants are responsible for securing proper internet access to attend sessions. Nobechi Creative will not be held responsible for issues with connectivity on the participants’ end, or for user error on the part of participants. Additionally Nobechi Creative will not be held responsible for problems stemming from third party vendors such as Zoom, YouTube, etc. If a session has to be stopped due to unforeseen circumstances, it will rescheduled at another time and refunds will not be issued under such circumstances.

Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds: 100% of tuition is due at the time of registration. Cancellation policies are as follows: Up to 30 days before the program begins: 20% of the tuition. 29~14 days before the program begins: 50% of the tuition. 13~0 days before the program begins: 100% of the workshop tuition. Alternatively, if a replacement participant can be found for your class the entirety of your tuition can be transferred as a credit to another program within one year of the date of the change.

VIDEO RECORDINGS

Video Quality and Content: No guarantees are made with respect to the video resolution or quality of the programs, or of the contents of each program. The quality of playback is dependent on your devices as well as internet speed and stability. As the original footage of videos is often sourced online there are incidents of skipping, freezing, or disrupted audio/video throughout the programs. Nobechi Creative makes no guarantees to the quality of the video programming. Purchasing the video implies your consent to these terms.