Tour fees, cancellation fees, service details, expenses

The following information is sent to all of our potential clients at the beginning of the correspondence/finalization process. Some of the information is specific to things that may not be related to your interests. We apologize for this but do recommend that you go over the following information. Be sure to let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the information indicated here.

Who We Are & What We Do

Your Japan Private Tours & Concierge Services offers private tours and services throughout Japan. We have professional trained bilingual guides in Tokyo (Kamakura, Hakone, Nikko) and Kyoto (Nara, Osaka, Himeji) and can usually make arrangements for guides in most other areas of Japan (with sufficient notice). Many of our clients take advantage of our services to set-up and coordinate 7-10 day trips throughout the country, some days with guides and some days without (often using specially prepared bilingual faxes and SMS text messages).

Private Tour Pricing

We charge US$450/full day ($300/half day) for guiding groups of up to 4 people (add 15% for each extra person over 4). A full day is 8 hours; a half day is 4 hours. Our cancellation fees are: 15% a week in advance; 30% six to three days in advance; 50% up 48 hours in advance; and 100% on the day of the tour in question.

Tour Prices Include

Our rates include the services of a professional, friendly English bilingual Japanese guide and planning the itinerary for the day (based on your interests/choices or on our well-considered tour itineraries), but do not include expenses (transportation, lunch, entry, etc.) for those in your group and the guide. Expenses can be kept quite low if you like to walk a little and opt for beautiful authentic/rustic, simple lunch locations. We generally plan itineraries to be seamless, smooth, and multi-faceted without the use of too much inter-zone travel. In Tokyo and Kyoto, we highly recommend the use of trains/subways plus the occasional smart taxi ride or two (to save time or to avoid unnecessary stretches). We also offer all-inclusive tour rates where expenses have been factored in (within the best of our and your planning abilities). This is usually possible on short notice as well. Simply request an expenses included estimate and we will quickly provide you with all the details you need to make the next decision. A private car/van and driver (guides are not allowed to drive) can be hired for US$600 for 8 hours in Tokyo; US$700 in Kyoto, plus a US$50 service charge to make the arrangements. Often but not always, using a private car in the city means wasted time for parking and driving, as well extra expenses for parking. Taxis are everywhere and are generally much more convenient (and cost effective) when subways, trains, buses, boats, etc. are not an option.

Payment

We accept payment in cash (any currency), via credit card (through a simple, secure online email form using your email address; NOTE: your email address must not be affiliated in anyway with PayPal, as this complicates the payment process), in the form of personal cheques issued by American banks, and by wire transfer.

Other Services (airport pick up; geisha entertainment, etc.)

Our clients often ask us to make transportation arrangements upon arrival in Tokyo (Narita/Haneda) or Osaka (KIX/Itami), which can either be a private car/van (with the driver waiting outside customs with a name sign) or a door-to-door shuttle (for KIX/Itami; Yen 3,000/person). Transportation payment can be made by credit card once arrangements have been made; we charge US$50 to make the arrangements

Other popular, creative tour service options

*** Kyoto Gion evening high-class private dinners including geisha/maiko performances (dance, singing); *** evenings walks in unusual locations (especially Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine in Kyoto and the Kabuki-cho nightlife district in Tokyo); *** special dinners (on exclusive yachts at night on Tokyo Bay, kaiseiki haute cuisine meals in Kyoto, and in other unique/special locations); *** special itineraries that speak directly to your personal interests and passions (ceramics, Japanese cuisine, Japanese cooking classes, Japanese textiles and other craft forms).

Concluding remarks

Please let us know how we can help you have a fantastic and relaxing time in Japan. If you would like to discuss your trip over the phone, please let us know your telephone number(s)--land line and/or cell phone)--and we will call you at a time that is convenient to you (please indicate the best time to reach you). We hope this information answers most of your questions. For any and all other questions, please contact us directly. Looking forward to your positive reply. Sincerely yours, Ian Ropke Director Your Japan Private Tours & Concierge Services Mobile #: 090-5642-4724 (from abroad 81-90-5642-4724) ______________________________________________________