Aumuni LLC Participant Agreement: Terms & Cancellation

Cancellation & Forfeiture Policy

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: This Participant Agreement is a legally binding contract between you (the "Guest," "Participant," or "Client") and Aumuni LLC ("Aumuni," "we," "us," or "our"). By completing your reservation, checking the mandatory agreement box at checkout, or submitting payment, you expressly agree to be bound by all terms, conditions, and financial policies contained herein. If you do not agree to these terms, you may not reserve a seat or participate in our services.

Due to the premium-quality, low-capacity nature of Aumuni cohorts, our room buyouts at elite boutique ryokans, private culinary bookings, and mountain logistics must be financially committed months in advance. Therefore, all payments are subject to a strict forfeiture schedule:

  • Initial 50% Deposit: 100% non-refundable and non-creditable upon payment.

  • 61+ Days Written Notice: Forfeiture of the initial 50% deposit.

  • 60 Days or Fewer Written Notice: 100% forfeiture of the total package price (0% refund).

  • Automatic Balance Collection: The remaining 50% balance will be automatically collected exactly 60 days prior to the departure date. If final payment fails, your reservation will be canceled and your deposit forfeited.

  • Reservations Made Within 60 Days: For any reservations finalized within 60 days of the departure date, 100% of the total package price is due upfront at checkout and is completely non-refundable.

Mandatory Travel Insurance: Because Aumuni LLC enforces a strict non-refund policy within 60 days of departure, all participants are required to purchase comprehensive, independent travel insurance (trip cancellation, medical emergency, and emergency evacuation). If you choose not to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, or if your insurance provider denies a claim, you assume full personal financial responsibility for any losses or cancellations.

Waiver & Profile Prerequisite: All registered guests are required to complete their digital Guest Profile and execute our separate mandatory Participant Liability Waiver no later than 21 days prior to departure. A guest’s inability or refusal to provide these mandatory safety documents by the deadline prevents participation in the pilgrimage, and the reservation will be released under our standard non-refundable cancellation terms.

Terms of Service

1. Scope of Services & Booking Policies

Aumuni LLC agrees to provide the curated travel, culinary, and wellness experience known as the Japan Essence Pilgrimage (the "Retreat") on the specified dates.

  • Inclusions: Your reservation covers the accommodations, scheduled group meals, private group transportation within Nagano, curated workshops, and guided excursions explicitly detailed on the official itinerary.

  • Exclusions: Guests are solely responsible for securing their own round-trip international airfare to Japan, independent travel insurance, discretionary spending money, visas, passport renewals, and personal medical expenses.

2. Reservation Transferability

If an unexpected conflict arises, a Guest may request to transfer their confirmed reservation to a qualified colleague, partner, or friend up to 14 days prior to departure. Transfer requests are subject to the absolute discretion and written approval of Aumuni LLC following a private intake consultation with the new prospective guest.

3. Force Majeure & Right to Modify

  • 3.1 Force Majeure: Aumuni LLC shall not be held liable or financially responsible for failures, delays, modifications, or cancellations of the Retreat resulting from a Force Majeure Event—defined as any event beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, extreme alpine weather, earthquakes, typhoons, government travel restrictions, border closures, public health emergencies, international flight suspensions, civil unrest, or labor strikes.

  • 3.2 Program Modifications: If an unexpected disruption occurs (e.g., a mountain trail closure, weather disruptions, or a local ryokan emergency), Aumuni LLC reserves the absolute right to make reasonable alterations to the itinerary, accommodations, or local logistics to ensure guest safety and maintain the premium standard of the experience. Such alterations do not entitle the Guest to any partial refunds.

4. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This Agreement, its interpretation, and any commercial disputes arising directly from your relationship with Aumuni LLC shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Mexico, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action, mediation, or proceeding arising under this contract must be filed exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction located within that State.

5. Entire Agreement & Severability

This document constitutes the entire commercial agreement between the Guest and Aumuni LLC regarding the Retreat, superseding any prior verbal discussions or emails. If any individual clause, sentence, or section of this Agreement is found by a court to be invalid or legally unenforceable, that specific provision shall be severed, and the remaining sections of the contract shall remain in absolute full force and effect.