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Transportation Policy (Legally Compliant for Japan)

Overview

To comply with Japanese transportation laws and insurance regulations, all vehicle‐related arrangements during our tours must follow the structure below. This ensures full legal compliance with the Road Transport Act, rental‐car insurance requirements, and industry standards for private guiding services in Japan.

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1. Vehicle Rental Responsibility

All transportation used during the tour must be rented directly by the guest. The guest is the primary renter and holds the rental contract in their name. The guide does not rent vehicles on behalf of guests and does not provide transportation as a paid service. This distinction is legally required in Japan.

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2. Costs Paid by the Guest

To remain compliant with Japanese law, all transportation‐related costs are the full responsibility of the guest, including:

  • Car rental fees

  • Mandatory and optional insurance

  • Fuel/gas during the tour

  • Partial refueling at the end of the tour

  • Highway tolls

  • Parking fees

  • Any rental‐company damage or cleaning charges

The guide does not charge any transportation fee and does not reimburse or pay for any of the above costs.

This ensures the guide is not operating an unlicensed transportation service.

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3. Authorized Additional Driver (Legally Required Clause)

To comply with rental‐company insurance rules and Japanese safety regulations, the following applies:

The tour guide will be listed as an authorized additional driver on the rental agreement. The guide holds a valid Japanese driver’s license and will present it at the car rental counter to comply with the rental company’s insurance and safety policies.

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This step ensures:

  • The guide is legally permitted to drive the rental vehicle

  • The rental company’s insurance fully covers both the guest and the guide

  • The arrangement does not violate commercial transport laws

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4. Nature of the Service Provided

The guide provides guiding services ONLY.

Driving the rental vehicle is performed solely as part of guiding, not as a transportation service.

No portion of the guiding fee is considered a transportation fee.

This distinction is essential under Japanese law.

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5. Compliance With Japanese Regulations

This policy is structured to comply with:

  • The Road Transport Act

  • Rental‐car insurance requirements

  • Non‐commercial driving regulations

  • Legal guidelines for private tour guides in Japan

By following this policy, both the guest and the guide remain fully protected and compliant.

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6. Guest Agreement

By booking any tour that involves vehicle rental, the guest agrees to:

  • Rent the vehicle personally

  • Cover all transportation‐related costs

  • Add the guide as an authorized additional driver

  • Follow all rental‐company rules and Japanese road laws

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