Terms of Service | Fest in Japan

Last updated: April 2026

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to Fest in Japan (festinjapan.jp), an online platform dedicated to helping visitors and residents discover festivals, matsuri, fireworks displays, and seasonal celebrations across Japan. By accessing or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not accept these terms, please do not use the website.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and the operators of Fest in Japan. If you are accessing the website on behalf of a travel agency, media organization, or other entity, you confirm that you have the authority to bind that organization to these terms.

2. Description of Service

Fest in Japan is a festival and event discovery platform that provides curated listings, schedules, and editorial content about celebrations and cultural events throughout Japan, including:

Traditional matsuri and shrine festivals
Fireworks displays (hanabi taikai)
Cherry blossom (hanami) and autumn foliage events
Seasonal food festivals and regional harvest celebrations
Bon Odori dances and Obon-related events
Snow festivals, ice sculpture events, and winter illuminations
Contemporary cultural festivals and community events

Fest in Japan is an informational resource only. We do not sell tickets, coordinate festival logistics, or represent any festival organizer. Any attendance, purchases, or interactions at festivals discovered through our platform are entirely between you and the event organizers.

3. Use of the Website

You agree to use Fest in Japan for personal, non-commercial purposes related to discovering festivals and events in Japan. The following conduct is prohibited:

Using the website in a manner that violates any applicable law or regulation
Attempting unauthorized access to the website, servers, or associated databases
Transmitting material that is defamatory, hateful, or infringes on the rights of others
Using automated tools, scrapers, or bots to harvest festival data or other content without our prior written consent
Disrupting the operation, availability, or performance of the website
Republishing our festival schedules or event calendars on competing platforms without permission

4. Festival Date and Event Accuracy

Fest in Japan makes every effort to publish accurate festival dates, times, locations, and details. However, festivals and outdoor events are inherently subject to change. You acknowledge and accept the following:

Date and schedule changes: Festival dates published on our platform are based on information from organizers, municipal websites, and historical patterns. Organizers may postpone, reschedule, or cancel events at any time. Annual festivals may shift dates from year to year. Always verify dates with official sources or local tourism offices before making travel arrangements.
Weather-related cancellations: Many Japanese festivals are outdoor events. Typhoons, heavy rain, extreme heat advisories, snowstorms, and other weather conditions may cause last-minute cancellations or venue changes. Fireworks displays are particularly susceptible to weather-related postponements. Fest in Japancannot provide real-time cancellation updates for every event.
Public health and emergency cancellations: Festivals may be cancelled or modified due to public health concerns, natural disasters, or other emergencies beyond the control of organizers. Events that ran in previous years are not guaranteed to take place in the current year.
Crowd level estimates: Any information we provide about expected crowd sizes, peak hours, or congestion levels is based on historical observations and general estimates. Actual attendance can vary significantly depending on weather, day of the week, and other factors.
Venue and route details: Parade routes, stage locations, food stall areas, and viewing spots described on our platform may change from year to year or be adjusted on the day of the event by organizers or local authorities.

5. Safety at Festivals and Events

Attending festivals involves inherent risks associated with large crowds, outdoor environments, and unfamiliar locations. Fest in Japan provides event information but does not organize or manage any festival. You are solely responsible for your own safety when attending events. We recommend:

Following all instructions from festival organizers, police, and security staff
Staying hydrated and protecting yourself from heat during summer festivals
Being aware of your surroundings in crowded areas and keeping personal belongings secure
Identifying emergency exits and first-aid stations upon arrival
Checking weather forecasts and dressing appropriately for outdoor events

6. Intellectual Property

All original content on Fest in Japan, including articles, festival guides, photographs, illustrations, maps, logos, and the overall design of the website, is the property of Fest in Japan or its content licensors and is protected by Japanese and international intellectual property laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or commercially exploit any content from the website without our written consent. Personal use such as saving festival details for your own travel planning is permitted. Sharing links to our festival pages is welcomed and encouraged.

7. User Conduct and Contributions

Fest in Japan may provide features allowing you to bookmark festivals, submit event reviews, share photos, or contribute other content. By using these features, you agree to:

Share accurate, honest information about festivals and events you have personally attended
Respect the cultural and religious significance of traditional matsuri and ceremonies
Not upload content that is offensive, misleading, or violates the rights of others
Grant Fest in Japan a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your submitted content in connection with operating and improving the platform

We reserve the right to remove user-generated content at our sole discretion and without notice, especially content that is inaccurate, culturally disrespectful, or violates these terms.

8. Third-Party Links and External Services

Our website may link to external sites run by festival organizers, local tourism associations, transportation companies, ticketing platforms, and other third parties. These links are provided for your convenience to access additional event information and related services.

Fest in Japan does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of third-party websites. Your use of external sites is governed by their own terms and conditions. We do not endorse any third-party service or event organizer by linking to their website.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Japanese Consumer Contract Act (Shohisha Keiyaku Ho), Fest in Japan and its operators shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from:

Your use of or inability to access the website or any content on it
Reliance on festival dates, schedules, locations, or other event details published on our platform that subsequently changed
Cancelled, postponed, or modified events, including weather-related cancellations and public health restrictions
Injuries, losses, or damages incurred while attending festivals or events discovered through our platform
Travel costs or other expenses incurred based on event information that proved inaccurate
Actions or content of any third-party website linked from our platform

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded under Japanese law, including liability for intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. Disputes arising out of or relating to these terms or your use of Fest in Japan shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court as the court of first instance. If any provision of these terms is found invalid or unenforceable, including under the Japanese Consumer Contract Act, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time to reflect changes in our service or legal requirements. Material changes will be indicated by an updated "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review these terms periodically. Your continued use of Fest in Japan after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about these Terms of Service or the Fest in Japan platform, please contact us at info@festinjapan.jp. We will endeavor to respond to all inquiries promptly.