Thank you for your interest in exploring Japan with Katsu.
I understand that travel plans can sometimes change. My booking policy is designed to be fair and flexible, with your peace of mind as a priority.
If something unexpected happens, please feel free to contact me. I’ll do my best to find a reasonable solution together.
1. Guided Tour Services
I provide private sightseeing guidance and cultural interpretation as a nationally licensed guide-interpreter based in Tokyo.
Each tour is tailored to your interests, available time, and preferred pace.
Sample itineraries are suggestions rather than fixed routes. Destinations and visiting order may change depending on opening hours, weather, transportation conditions, and other practical circumstances.
2. Tour Fees and Group Size
| Tour | Guide Fee |
|---|---|
| Tokyo Half-Day (up to 4 hours) | ¥40,000（Approx. US$250） |
| Tokyo Full-Day (up to 8 hours) | ¥65,000（Approx. US$410） |
| Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone & Mt. Fuji Area | From ¥75,000（Approx. US$475） |
USD estimates are based on an illustrative exchange rate of ¥158 = US$1 (October 2026). All fees are quoted and charged in Japanese yen. Exchange rates may vary.
These fees apply to private groups of 1–4 guests.
For groups of 5–6 guests, an additional ¥5,000 per person applies. Groups of 7 or more require an individual quotation.
All fees are quoted and charged in Japanese yen (JPY). The final guide fee and any additional expenses will be confirmed before booking.
3. What’s Included
The guide fee includes:
- Private guiding by a nationally licensed guide-interpreter
- Cultural and historical explanations tailored to your interests
- Sightseeing route suggestions and reasonable adjustments during the agreed tour
- The guide’s transportation expenses within Tokyo’s 23 wards for standard Tokyo tours
4. Additional Expenses
Unless otherwise stated in your quotation, the following expenses are not included:
- Guests’ transportation fares, admission fees, meals, and personal expenses
- Private vehicle charges
- The guide’s transportation expenses for tours outside Tokyo’s 23 wards
- The guide’s admission fees, where applicable
- The guide’s meals or accommodation, when necessary and agreed in advance
All applicable additional expenses will be explained before booking confirmation.
5. Travel Arrangements
Guests are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation, accommodation, and private vehicles.
I can provide sightseeing route suggestions and general transportation information, but I do not make reservations or sell transportation, accommodation, or travel packages.
6. Meeting Point and Tour Duration
The meeting point, start time, finishing time, and tour duration will be agreed upon before booking.
Tour duration is measured from the agreed meeting time to the agreed finishing time, including travel between sightseeing locations during the tour.
For tours outside Tokyo, the duration and meeting arrangements will be specified in your individual quotation.
7. Itinerary Changes and Overtime
Reasonable itinerary changes may be accommodated depending on available time and local conditions.
Extensions beyond the agreed tour duration are subject to availability and mutual agreement.
Any additional guide fee and related expenses will be confirmed before an extension begins.
8. Booking Confirmation and Secure Payment
Submitting an inquiry does not constitute a confirmed booking.
After discussing your requirements, I will provide a quotation outlining the tour details, guide fee, additional expenses, and booking conditions.
Secure Credit Card Payment
Payments are processed securely through Stripe, a widely used online payment platform.
You will receive a secure payment link by email and can complete your payment directly on Stripe’s checkout page.
Your credit card details are processed by Stripe and are not collected or stored directly by Go Step by Step.
Full payment is generally required at least 7 days before the tour. For bookings made within 7 days of the tour, payment is required before the tour begins.
Your booking is confirmed once the agreed payment has been successfully received.
9. Cancellations, Rescheduling & Refunds
I understand that travel plans can change, and I aim to keep my cancellation policy fair and flexible.
- 7 days or more before the tour: Free cancellation and a full refund.
- 1–6 days before the tour: 30% cancellation fee.
- On the day of the tour (with notice): 50% cancellation fee.
- No-show without prior notice: 100% cancellation fee.
Exceptional Circumstances
If you are unable to join the tour due to a natural disaster, sudden serious illness, or another unavoidable emergency, please contact me as soon as reasonably possible.
I will consider the circumstances individually and do my best to offer a fair solution, including rescheduling or a partial or full refund where appropriate.
Rescheduling
If your plans change, please contact me as early as possible.
I will do my best to accommodate date changes without an additional guide fee, subject to availability and any unavoidable expenses.
Refunds
Approved refunds will generally be processed through the original payment method.
The time required for a refund to appear on your account may vary depending on your card issuer and payment provider.
10. Weather and Unexpected Circumstances
Weather conditions, transportation disruptions, temporary closures, and other unexpected circumstances may affect the planned itinerary.
Whenever reasonably possible, I will suggest alternative sightseeing options.
If I must cancel the tour and cannot provide an agreed alternative, the guide fee paid for the cancelled tour will be refunded in full.
Other cancellations or changes will be handled according to the agreed booking conditions and applicable law.
11. Safety and Personal Belongings
Please let me know in advance about any mobility requirements or other practical needs relevant to your tour.
Guests are responsible for taking reasonable care of their personal belongings and following applicable safety instructions at sightseeing facilities and on public transportation.
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be prohibited by applicable law.
12. Contact
If you have any questions about your booking, please feel free to get in touch.
I look forward to sharing Japan with you.
These terms apply to private guided tours provided by Katsutomo Shiibara (Go Step by Step). Any individually agreed arrangements will be set out in your quotation, subject to applicable law.