Privacy policy

Last updated: 29 Dec. 2023

 

Your privacy is important to us. To understand how we use information provided by customers and site visitors using our website or services, please review the following.

Introduction
1.1 Personal information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other direct contact forms, constitutes personal information ("Personal Information"). Smile Vista Co., Ltd. ("us" or "we"), operating the SMILE VISTA platform, will comply with relevant laws on the protection of personal information regarding the handling of user information provided by customers ("you") on our website. Please adhere to the following Privacy Policy ("Policy").

1.2 We comply with relevant laws regarding the handling of personal information, guidelines set by our business country (Japan), and other standards.

Information Collected by Us
2.1 Information provided by customers: This includes information necessary for the use of the SMILE VISTA platform ("Platform") and experiences ("Experiences"), such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and other information chosen to be provided by customers. This may include medical or physical conditions that could be helpful in providing a better experience. Customers can also disclose age, opinions, and other personal information through feedback forms. Payment information is not stored for the use of payment services.

2.2 Information automatically collected by us from platform users ("Site Users") through platform usage: The platform may automatically track IP addresses, use cookies, web beacons, browser analytics tools, and server logs to collect statistical data to improve customer and platform interactions. Information collected includes pages or content viewed by Site Users, experience searches, and customer reservations. In most cases, collected information is used in a completely anonymous manner.

2.3 Photos taken during experiences: While staff or hosts may take photos of customers during experiences, we will not use customer photos without permission.

Use of Personal Information
3.1 We may use personal information in the following cases:

To expand services based on reservations through the platform.
To respond to requests from the contact page and provide customer support.
To authenticate access to the customer's experience.
For advertising campaigns.
To send and collect information through feedback forms.
3.2 Except in the following cases, we will not disclose personal information without customer consent:

When a customer is identified by us as a criminal and reported to the appropriate authorities.
When customer consent is obtained to share personal information with other companies, it will be handled according to the terms of that company.
3.3 Within a certain period after the completion of the experience, customers and interpreters can submit feedback through an online form. Feedback is welcome and encouraged to improve interpreters, experiences, the platform, and our services. Submitted feedback is considered non-confidential and not the exclusive property of the customer. We reserve the copyright for feedback, and collected opinions may be used as data for statistical analysis or citations in public articles.

3.4 Upon the authenticated customer's request, we will delete previously disclosed personal information from public platforms.

3.5 We cannot guarantee the protection of data related to SMILE VISTA in the event of a cyber security attack, and we are not responsible for such uncontrollable situations.

Revision of Privacy Policy
4.1 We may revise our Privacy Policy at any time. In the event of changes, we will publish the latest version on the platform.

Terms of Use

These terms constitute a legally binding contract ("Contract") between you ("Reader") and Smile Vista Co., Ltd. ("us" or "we"), governing access to and use of the SMILE VISTA service.

This agreement is governed by Japanese law, and any disputes related to this agreement will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court or Tokyo Summary Court.

SMILE VISTA Service
1.1 The SMILE VISTA Platform ("Platform") is an information source and online marketplace for experiences ("Experiences") provided in Japan. The platform allows customers ("Customers") to reserve paid experiences offered by local hosts ("Masters"). Experiences may include homestays ("Home Stay") and various one-day or multi-day activities in different categories. SMILE VISTA acts as a liaison between customers and Masters, handling transactions and communication around the experience.

1.2 As the platform provider, we do not own or create any experiences.

Customers
2.1 If a customer reserves an experience on behalf of additional customers, the booker must notify each additional customer of these terms and ensure their agreement to all conditions set by the Master.

2.2 All customers must meet age requirements listed by the Master. Minors can participate in experiences only if accompanied by a responsible adult. If a customer books an experience for additional underage customers, the customer confirms having the legal authority to act as the representative for those minors.

2.3 Additional individuals cannot participate in experiences unless booked as customers through the platform.

2.4 Customers must thoroughly check the description on the reservation page, ensuring that they and additional customers meet all conditions, including but not limited to minimum age or physical requirements. Customers must inform us of any factors, such as medical or physical conditions, that may affect their ability to participate when booking experiences. The legal drinking age in Japan applies to all experiences. Customers are responsible for identifying and complying with all rules and regulations related to the experience.

2.5 Customers must always follow the instructions of the Master during the experience.

2.6 We cannot guarantee the complete satisfaction of customers with the experience, the effectiveness of information provided during the experience, or the quality of the experience affected by unforeseen errors or disruptions.

Internal Communication with Customers and Masters
3.1 We may deliver advertisements to customers or Masters via email.

3.2 Our business hours are from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, Japan Standard Time (closed on weekends, holidays, and New Year holidays from December 30 to January 5). Non-interactive contacts outside business hours will be processed on the next business day.

Changes and Cancellations of Reservations
4.1 Reservations for all experiences must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

4.2 For a full refund, customers must cancel at least 8 days before the experience or within 12 hours of booking completion* (*applicable to reservations made 5-7 days before the experience). All times and dates are in Japan Standard Time.

4.3 If the Master is unavailable on the customer's preferred date, we will do our best to offer an alternative date. If rescheduling is not feasible, a full refund will be provided to the customer.

4.4 If the Master cancels the experience, the customer will receive a full refund.

4.5 If weather conditions pose a safety risk to customers during the experience or if the Master cannot conduct an experience primarily held outdoors, the Master may cancel the experience. In cases where conditions beyond the Master's control hinder the safe provision of the experience, the Master may also cancel. We are not responsible for damages resulting from natural disasters.

4.6 In specific situations, we may cancel pending or confirmed reservations and initiate corresponding refunds and payments.

Interpreters
If interpreters in the desired language are not available, we may provide English interpretation.

Damage to Accommodations and Disputes Between Members
Customers are responsible for returning the experience location ("Experience Location"), including personal or other property on-site, to its arrival condition.

Rounding
SMILE VISTA supports payment amounts between customers or Masters in specific currencies at the minimum unit supported (U.S. cents, 1 yen).

Prohibited Activities
8.1 Customers, Masters, interpreters, and Site Users associated with the use of the SMILE VISTA platform shall not assist or enable others to:

Violate applicable laws or regulations, third-party contracts, rights of third parties, or our terms, policies, or standards.
Provide experiences as a Master without the necessary permission available through the SMILE VISTA platform.
Engage in discriminatory or harassing behavior based on race, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, or sexual orientation; or other violent, harmful, abusive, or destructive acts regardless of purpose.
Access the SMILE VISTA platform, collect data or other content, or engage in other interactions using automated means or processes.
We reserve the right to change, add, or delete the content of these terms at any time without obtaining the customer's consent. The issuance of these terms will be deemed notification and consent to this right for customers.

If you have any questions regarding these terms, please contact us at contact@smilevista.com.