Terms & Conditions

1.  Booking and Payment

1.1  To book a place on a tour, you must make a reservation through our website, unless otherwise specified by us.

1.2  For group tour or private tour reservations made more than 90 days prior to the tour start date, a deposit is necessary to secure the reservation. 

1.3  For group tour or private tour reservations made less than 90 days prior to the tour start date, or for self-guided tour reservations, unless otherwise specified in writing by us, the full balance is required to secure the reservation

1.4  Payment can be made via credit/debit card, or any other method specified by us. Prices quoted are in USD and are subject to change without notice.

1.5  For reservations for which a deposit has been paid, the balance price is payable 90 days prior to the tour date, unless otherwise specified by us.

1.6  If full payment is not made as required, we cannot guarantee your spot on your selected tour.

2.  Cancellations and Refunds:

2.1  Approved refunds will only be paid back into the account from which we received them.

2.2  You may cancel your booking at any time, subject to the following:

     2.2.1  If you cancel your booking more than ninety (90) days prior to the tour start date, your deposit will be refunded minus an administration fee.

     2.2.2  If you cancel your booking between ninety (90) and thirty (30) days before the tour start date, your deposit is not refundable. If you have paid the remaining balance, 50% of the remaining balance paid is refundable with the remaining 50% to be used as credit within 24 months for a future tour with Shogun.

     2.2.3  If you cancel your booking less than (30) days before the tour start date, or do not continue with the tour after the tour start date, you will not receive any refund of the price.

2.3  Cancellation requests must be made in writing by email to info@shogunmotorbikeadventures.com. 

Force Majeure Event

2.4  For the purposes of these Terms, a "Force Majeure Event" means any event beyond the reasonable control of Shogun, including but not limited to extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics, civil unrest, terrorism, war, government actions, travel restrictions, cancellation or delay or disruption of transport services, or any other circumstance reasonably beyond Shogun's control.

2.5  Shogun reserves the right to cancel or cease operating a tour at any time due to a Force Majeure Event and to ensure the safety of the participants and tour operators. If a tour is canceled due to a Force Majeure Event, or if a tour is interrupted or a portion of the tour cannot proceed due to a Force Majeure Event,  we will offer a credit or refund less any unrecoverable costs already incurred. It is a requirement of your participation in a Shogun tour that your travel insurance policy includes trip interruption and cancellation coverage.

Minimum Booking Numbers

2.6  Shogun reserves the right to cancel a group tour if minimum booking numbers are not met. If a group tour is cancelled due to reasons within our control (such as low bookings), you will be offered the choice of transferring to an alternative tour date or receiving a full refund.

Cancellation during the tour

2.7  Guided tours only - If you choose not to continue with the tour for any reason, you can discuss this with Shogun crew and any decision as to your exit from the tour will be made at their discretion. You can expect Shogun crew to value your choice and encourage responsible decision-making. You understand that while every effort will be made by Shogun crew to facilitate your exit from the tour, your choice cannot disadvantage other participants or put them at risk.

2.8  All tours - There will be no refund if you do not continue with your tour for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily (other than because of a Force Majeure Event). You will be responsible for any extra costs associated with returning your motorbike, extra accommodation and travel. It is a requirement of your participation in a Shogun tour that your travel insurance policy includes trip interruption and cancellation coverage.

3.  Tour Alterations

3.1  Tour itineraries and schedules are subject to change without notice due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (for example extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics, civil unrest or war).

3.2  Shogun reserves the right to alter the itinerary, substitute accommodations, or modify transportation arrangements when absolutely necessary, without liability, to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the tour. In the unlikely event that this happens, the alterations, substitutions or modifications will form part of the tour and may incur additional costs for participants.‍

4.  Travel Insurance

4.1  It is a mandatory requirement of your participation in the tour that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy. The policy must:

     4.1.1  cover your medical expenses, hospitalisation, emergency evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, delays, lost/stolen/damaged belongings;

     4.1.2  cover you for motorbike riding, and have no engine capacity limits that would mean your chosen motorbike class would void your policy;

     4.1.3  cover you in Japan for the entire period of your tour.

4.2  It is your responsibility to ensure your travel insurance policy is suitable and valid.

4.3  You will not be permitted to participate in your tour if you have not taken out a suitable travel policy and provided it to Shogun prior to commencement of your tour.

4.4  No refunds will be provided if you have not complied with this clause.

5.  Health and Safety

5.1  You are responsible for ensuring that you are medically fit to participate in the tour and that you have any necessary vaccinations or medications required for travel to Japan.

5.2  You agree to notify us of any changes to your health and fitness, prior to, and during, the tour. 

5.3  Shogun reserves the right to refuse participation in a tour to any person who, in our opinion, is unfit to travel due to health reasons or whose conduct may endanger the safety or well-being of others.

5.4  Should you become ill or injured on the tour, you give your consent for us to provide or arrange for the provision of medical treatment and/or rescue services as necessary and to the best of our ability.

5.5  Shogun tours are not unreasonably risky or dangerous. However, motorbike riding is a dangerous recreational activity and carries an inherent level of risk. Loss or damage to personal property, injury or even fatality are possible. While Shogun crew will make every reasonable effort to minimise risks, not all dangers can be foreseen. You accept the fact that Shogun crew cannot guarantee your safety as some risks are beyond their control. You also accept that you will be required to sign a Liability Waiver by which you accept risks of harm and release us from liability as a pre-condition of your participation in the tour.

5.6 Where meals are included as part of the tour, Shogun will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies if notified in advance. However, we cannot guarantee that meals provided will meet all dietary preferences or be completely free from allergens. Meals will be prepared by third-party providers, and cross-contamination or the presence of allergens cannot be ruled out. By participating in the tour, you acknowledge and accept that Shogun will not be liable for any adverse reactions or events arising from meals consumed during the tour.

6.  Code of Conduct

6.1  You agree to abide by all local laws, regulations, and customs during the tour and to follow the instructions of Shogun crew and/or your tour guide at all times.

6.2  Shogun reserves the right to remove any person from the tour who violates these Terms or engages in behavior deemed unsafe, disruptive or inappropriate, without refund.

6.3  You will have your own personal views on race, religion and culture. However, we expect you to treat the Shogun crew and the local people with the same respect with which you wish to be treated.

7.  Motorbikes

7.1  Shogun provides motorbikes as part of your tour booking through a third-party bike provider. We will endeavour to provide you with your preferred motorbike/s. However, we cannot guarantee motorbike availability. If your selected motorbike/s are not available, we will provide another motorbike as close as possible to your original selection/s.

7.2  You should only ride your motorbike each day if you feel comfortable doing so. It is your responsibility to ensure that your motorbike is in good working condition to a standard that you are used to. If you are not comfortable with the motorbike at any time, you must stop riding and notify the Shogun crew on the tour.

7.3  You are required to wear the appropriate safety and protective equipment and follow the laws of Japan with respect to riding motorbikes. Helmets are mandatory.

7.4  Any costs, including traffic or parking fines and any associated legal fees, that are attributable to you or borne by you will be payable by you.

Breakdowns, damage and accidents - not attributable to you

7.5  If your motorbike becomes unusable for any reason not attributable to you, whether through a breakdown, accident, natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstance, either Shogun or our bike provider will make every attempt to service the motorbike and have you back on the road as soon as possible, or provide alternative options where and if available.

7.6  If necessary, our bike provider may be able to supply a replacement motorbike for the rest of your tour. However, this cannot be guaranteed.

7.7  If your motorbike is unable to be repaired and no replacement motorbike is available, you have the option of exiting the tour. A refund will be granted depending on the circumstances.

7.8  It is important that you notify Shogun crew (on guided tours), or the bike provider (on self-guided tours) immediately if you have an accident or if you detect any abnormality or breakdown of your motorbike during the tour.

Breakdowns, damage and accidents - attributable to you

7.9  If your motorbike becomes unusable for any reason attributable to you, you will be liable for all associated costs that arise (see Clause 8: Motorbike Insurance for more information).

7.10  In these circumstances, Shogun cannot guarantee that repairs will be made or a replacement motorbike provided to you in order for you to continue the tour. On guided tours you will have the option of continuing the tour in the support vehicle, or exiting the tour without refund.

Theft

7.11  Japan is a very safe country with a very low crime rate. The likelihood that your motorbike will be stolen during your tour is extremely low. 

7.12  However, if theft does occur you may be liable for associated costs. Depending on the circumstances (for example if you forgot to lock the handle or were careless or negligent with the keys), these costs could be up to 100% of the market value of the motorbike.

7.13  In these circumstances, we will attempt to make alternate arrangements for you to continue the tour if possible. You also have the option of exiting the tour. A refund may be granted depending on the circumstances.

8.  Motorbike Insurance

8.1  The highest possible level of insurance for your motorbike is included in the cost of your tour. This policy is set by Shogun's rental provider. This insurance includes:

     Third party bodily injury/death per person

     unlimited

     Third party property damage per occurrence

     Up to 10 million yen. Deductible/excess cap applicable:

          - For Silver Tier motorbikes 50,000 yen

          - For Gold and Platinum Tier motorbikes 100,000 yen

     Passenger injury/death

     Up to 5 million yen per person. Limited to disability or death.

     Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

     Refers to the amount you must bear in the event of an accident or fall. If the repair costs are below the deductible, the actual cost will be charged.

    Deductible/excess cap applicable:

          - For Silver Tier motorbikes 50,000 yen

          - For Gold and Platinum Tier motorbikes 100,000 yen

     Non Operation Charge (NOC)

     Refers to the cost burden when a vehicle involved in an accident or fall becomes unavailable for rental due to repairs.

     50,000 yen + tow truck charges (if any)

9.  General

9.1  You participate in a Shogun tour on the condition that you have considered your chosen itinerary and satisfied yourself that you are a competent enough rider to handle the expected conditions.

9.2  It is your responsibility to ensure you hold valid licences while on your Shogun tour, and that you are able to provide those licences on request. Please refer to our Travel Info page for helpful information about licenses. No refunds will be provided if you are unable to participate in the tour because you do not hold, or cannot provide a copy of, valid licences as required.

9.3  It is your responsibility to ensure you hold a valid passport while on your Shogun tour, and that you are able to provide a copy of your passport on request. No refunds will be provided if you are unable to participate in the tour because you do not hold, or cannot provide a copy of, a valid passport.

9.4  On guided tours, Shogun crew will handle your luggage for you during the tour, including transporting your luggage from one destination to the next, and delivering your luggage to your hotel room for you. Shogun crew will treat your luggage with the utmost care and respect but will not be responsible for any damage or loss, including theft.

9.5  You have a personal responsibility to follow any safety guidelines established by Shogun crew and you will ask for clarification if you do not understand what is expected of you.‍

9.6 If, in the opinion of any representatives of Shogun, your mental or physical condition or behaviour appears to adversely affect or risk your own health, well-being and safety, or that of other participants, or results in you becoming objectionable to other participants or to the crew or others, you will not be permitted to embark upon or continue to participate in the tour.

9.7 Abuse or harassment of any kind toward Shogun crew, contracted suppliers or other participants will result in immediate termination of your participation in the tour. If so, you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own transport home and we will not be liable for any costs associated with such termination and you will not be refunded any of the amount paid for the tour.

10.  Responsibility

10.1 Shogun is not a carrier or hotelier, nor does it own aircraft, vessels, vehicles, hotels or cars. The services which Shogun provides consist of arranging and co-ordinating the tour, making bookings with the motorbike provider, the guides, the accommodation providers and the meal providers (the 'suppliers').

10.2 Shogun engages the services of independent providers (suppliers), such as hoteliers, caterers, guides, sightseeing organisers, travel and other operators, who are not agents, servants or employees of Shogun to provide and assist in the tour. Although Shogun takes care in selecting the suppliers, Shogun is not responsible for the conduct of the suppliers, their servants or agents, or for any ramifications of their conduct.

10.3 Shogun does not act as the agent of the suppliers nor are the suppliers the agent of Shogun. It is important to note, therefore, that all bookings with Shogun are subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of liability imposed by such suppliers whose services are utilised, some of which may seek to limit or exclude liability in respect of death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage of baggage.

10.4 Shogun is not responsible for any third party services such as flights, pre/post tours, travel and accommodation. These services will be subject to their own booking conditions.

11.  Privacy Policy

11.1  Shogun collects personal information from you for the purpose of providing tour services and may share this information with third parties involved in the provision of those services. By booking a tour with us, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy.

11.2  We may take photo and video content of your tour. You acknowledge and agree that Shogun shall be the sole and exclusive owner of the content and all related intellectual property rights, including the content in which you appear. Our ownership of the intellectual property rights includes the right to reproduce, distribute, display and use the content for any lawful purpose. 

11.3  Please notify us in writing to info@shogunmotorbikeadventures.com if you do not want content in which you appear published.‍

12.  Visas and Passports

12.1  It is a requirement that you hold a valid passport and any required visas to enter Japan. Your passport must have an expiry date of at least 6 months after the date of your expected return (some countries require 3 months - please check this).

12.2 It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the necessary visa documentation and comply with the laws and regulations applicable for entry to Japan. We encourage you to visit the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the latest visa information applicable to your country of citizenship.

12.3 No refunds will be provided if you are denied entry into Japan and are not able to participate in the tour.

13.  Governing Law

13.1  These Terms and any disputes arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Western Australia. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Western Australia.

14.  Waiver

14.1  Participation in the tour is conditional upon your acknowledgment, acceptance and signing of the Liability Waiver. If you booked through the website, you will have been prompted to electronically sign the liability waiver. If you booked by any other method, a link to the Liability Waiver will have been sent to you.

15.  Modifications to Terms & Conditions

15.1  Shogun Motorbike Adventures reserves the right to update and change these Terms from time to time without notice.

16.  Entire Agreement

16.1  These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Shogun with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether oral or written.

16.2  By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us before booking your tour.

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