Japan Daigo Forestry & Kintsugi Workshop
Terms & Conditions

Handling of Kintsugi supplies and Urushi lacquer

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This workshop involves handling of Japanese urushi lacquer.  Its urushiol content in liquid state is known to cause allergic reaction (skin rash) when comes in contact with skin directly.  Please read and understand this raw material and decide if you should participate in this workshop. Taketombo (dba Goenne.com) shall not be liable for any allergic condition caused from handling Japanese lacquer. 

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You agreed to wear protective gears (long sleeves, gloves, apron, and/or face mask) during workshop to minimize accidental skin, face, eyes contact with the material.  You agreed to sign a liability release prior to all workshop and activities.  During the tour or at the workshop, if you do not feel comfortable and decide not to handle any urushi material, please kindly let us know.  It is ok to watch demonstration at your comfortable distance and skip any hands-on experience. Use your own judgement.

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Tools used in workshop may include sharp objects or knives. Participants in the workshop may have to handle sharp objects or knives, but not mandatory. Use common sense in handling these items, and use at your own risk.   Any medical condition or injury incurred will be your responsibility, so we suggest all participants to get travel insurance from your home country prior to departure.  

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This workshop is not suitable for young children.  We did not set an age requirement, but consider the duration of the course and the requirement to handle raw urushi and delicate or sharp tools, we would not recommend young children to enroll. ​

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CANCELLATION POLICY & REFUND POLICY 

We understand some times travel plans have to change.

All cancellation requests should be made via email.

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The 50% deposit is non-refundable.

 

If cancellation occurs on or before July 15, 2026, any balance payments made will be refunded minus a 4.6% transaction fee.

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Cancellations made after July 15, 2026 are non-refundable.

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In the event of "force majeure" where the program must be cancelled due to events beyond the organizer’s control that make it impossible or unsafe to operate the program in Japan (including natural disasters, government restrictions, or other force majeure events affecting the program location), participants will be offered a refund or credit toward a future program.

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Events affecting an individual participant’s ability to travel — including flight disruptions, airport closures, visa issues, illness, or political situations in the participant’s home country — do not constitute force majeure for the organizer and remain the responsibility of the participant.

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Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances affecting their travel plans.

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Reservation / Seat is not transferable.  ​

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WAITLIST

If the workshop is full, it will not accept any payment, and you can request to be placed on the waitlist via EMAIL.

If any space becomes available, you will be notified by email and have 3 days to confirm payment before we offer the spot to the next candidate on the list.  Same Cancellation Policy applies to wait-list signups. 

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ACCESS & TRANSPORTATION

The cost of the travel workshop DOES NOT include transportation to-and-from the workshop designated meeting location. 

All local transportation costs DURING the course are included.  

We shall provide detail transportation suggestions to depart from TOKYO STATION to the first-day's Meeting Point (train station) in Ibaraki Prefecture.  If you plan to depart from locations other than Tokyo, please send us the information in advance and we can provide guidance to arrive our designated location.

Note that in rural Japan, public transportation is sparse, so advance planning is highly suggested to ensure you can arrive on time and won't miss any activities. 

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ARRIVING TO DAIGO

Participants are responsible for making their way to the program location in Daigo, Ibaraki.

Reaching Daigo typically involves a local train journey from larger hub cities: Tokyo or Mito. While Japan’s rail network is generally efficient, smaller rural stations may have limited facilities.

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Please note:

• Rural stations may not have elevators or escalators

• Platforms may be connected by stairs only

• A few stations along the route may be unstaffed

• Participants should be comfortable handling their own luggage when boarding and exiting trains

 

We recommend packing light and allowing sufficient time for transfers when traveling to Daigo.

If you have questions about the route or travel planning, we are happy to provide general guidance in advance.

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LOCATION

Location, detail first-day meeting point and itinerary will be notified by August 1, 2026 via email after you successfully completed the booking.  Location is in Ibaraki Prefecture (160km / 100 miles North of Tokyo), 2.5 hour by car and 3 hours by train pending on transfer. If you will be driving, notify us in advance to receive parking information. We will not be liable for parking cost or any incident relating to your vehicle and parking.  

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ACCOMMODATION & FACILITY

Aside from outing activities, the group will be based at a well-equipped training facility with private bedrooms, gender-separated 5 communal shower rooms & one communal bath, communal toilet rooms, workshop classrooms and a pantry. 

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Accommodation for the first 7 nights at the training facility are single occupancy western-style private rooms with 2 beds (some with tatami-style floor futon beddings), communal shower rooms and toilets. Final night will be at a Japanese-style hot spring onsen hotel will shared room (double occupancy) which may have either Western-style bed or Japanese futon bed on tatami floor, with private bathroom and toilet.  Onsen hot spring facility at the hotel will be for communal-use.

 

If single occupancy is preferred, please specify during booking. We will try to accommodate the best we can but there is no guarantee.  When single occupancy at the hot-spring hotel is available and confirmed, we will bill you for additional fees accordingly. Please understand that most traditional Japanese hot-spring inns and hotels do not offer single occupancy, due to the limited number of rooms. 

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SPECIAL DIET and NEEDS

If you require special diet or have food allergy, please notify us during reservation and we will do our best to accommodate. Japanese cuisine are in general high-quality and healthy, but most places have little experience with vegetarian, vegan or special diet.  We will do our best to accommodate your dietary needs, if you give us advance notice. 

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ACCESSIBILITY

The travel experience may involve short hiking up slight slopes and hilly terrain in the forest. Level of hiking is very minimal, but please wear comfortable shoes.  And we are unable to accommodate accessibility needs due to the nature of the tour. 

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Please note that this program takes place in a rural setting and includes traditional Japanese facilities. The environment does not meet ADA accessibility standards, and full accessibility cannot be guaranteed.

 

Here are a few details to consider:

• Lodging: Bedroom is on ground floor.  Accessible public toilet room is available. 

• Stairs: The workshop studio is located on the second floor with stair access only (no elevator).

• Walking: Daily group walks of approximately 10–15 minutes to various restaurants at the main street, including some sloped streets.

• Floor Seating: Some dining venues provide traditional tatami-room seating with floor cushions.

• Futon Bedding: The final night onsen stay includes tatami rooms with futon bedding placed directly on the floor.

• Train Station Accessibility: Rural train station in Japan may not have elevator.  Some station is unstaffed. 

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If you have mobility limitations or medical concerns that may affect your participation, please contact us prior to booking so we can discuss your individual circumstances.

We want all participants to make informed decisions and feel confident about their experience.

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VENUE & CLASSROOM

You agreed to maintaining the venue space clean and not cause any damage.

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KINTSUGI MATERIAL & SUPPLIES

Kintsugi material and supplies for use during workshop shall be included (as stated in course description). Tools and supplies shall not be taken outside of workshop venue.  You can purchase kintsugi supplies to take home from our store.  Japan sales are subject to 10% consumption tax.  

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TRAVEL INSURANCE

We highly recommend participants to purchase international travel insurance from your home country prior to traveling to cover medical emergencies or accidents during your travel in Japan. 

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By signing up to join this workshop, you agree to these terms and conditions. 

Liability Release form will be sent to individual participant for endorsement prior to starting of workshop.