Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (the "Terms") set out the conditions for using the campervan car-sharing service (the "Service") provided by Carshare (the "Company"). By using the Service, members agree to be bound by these Terms. Vehicles are rented under a licensed private-vehicle rental business (rent-a-car business) pursuant to the Road Transportation Act of Japan.

Article 1 (Membership Eligibility)

1. Use of the Service requires registration, completion of the identity verification designated by the Company (online verification via Stripe Identity), and confirmation of your driving eligibility as set out in this Article.
2. Membership is limited to persons legally permitted to drive in Japan by one of the following routes:
   • (a) holding a Japanese driving licence;
   • (b) carrying both an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention and your home-country driving licence; or
   • (c) holding a driving licence issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan, together with an official Japanese translation of that licence (issued by JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) or the relevant embassy or consulate) and your passport.
3. Driving period limitation: under routes (b) and (c) above, you may drive in Japan only for one year from the date of your landing in Japan, or for the validity period of your licence/IDP, whichever is shorter. If you are registered as a resident of Japan (recorded in the Basic Resident Register) and you leave Japan and re-enter less than three months after departure, the one-year period is not reset (the so-called three-month rule).
4. If it turns out that you do not meet the above requirements, the reservation will not be confirmed and the security deposit will be refunded in full — provided, however, that this shall not apply if you made a false declaration regarding your driving eligibility.
5. Members must be at least 20 years of age and have at least one year of driving experience (after obtaining a licence).
6. The Company will check the originals of your licence, IDP and/or translation before departure. If they cannot be verified, the vehicle cannot be handed over.
7. If any registration, identity or licence information is found to be false, the Company may cancel reservations and suspend your membership, and may apply all or part of the security deposit towards damages incurred by the Company.
8. We may refuse membership to anyone whose membership was previously suspended for violation of these Terms.

Article 2 (Formation of the Rental Agreement)

1. Submitting a reservation request and completing payment of the security deposit constitute an offer to enter into a rental agreement.
2. The rental agreement is formed when the Company, after checking your licence documents (IDP, etc.), sends you a notice of approval (reservation confirmation).
3. The Company may decline an offer before approval where the requirements of Article 1 are not met or where there are other reasonable grounds. In that case, the security deposit already received will be refunded in full.

Article 3 (Reservations and Security Deposit)

1. Reservations are made on our website in 24-hour units. A security deposit (the amount shown on the vehicle page) is charged to your credit card at the time of reservation.
2. Until the deposit payment is completed, the reservation is only held provisionally (for 30 minutes) and expires automatically if payment is not completed in time.
3. The deposit will be refunded in full after the vehicle is returned and inspected without issues (it may take several days to appear on your card statement).
4. In the event of an accident, soiling or damage to the vehicle, violation of these Terms, unpaid rental fees under Article 4 or charges under Article 7, the Company may withhold all or part of the deposit according to the damages or penalties incurred (see Article 7, paragraph 3).

Article 4 (Rental Fees)

1. Rental fees (base fee and options) are fixed at the time of reservation and are automatically charged to your registered credit card 3 days before departure.
2. If the automatic charge fails, the Company will send a payment link by email. If payment is not confirmed within 48 hours of the link being sent, the reservation will be automatically canceled and the security deposit will not be refunded.
3. For agreements formed less than 3 days before departure, the rental fee will be charged promptly after formation.

Article 5 (Cancellation)

1. Members may cancel a reservation from My Page at any time before departure.
2. The refund rate of the rental fee upon cancellation is as follows (the deposit is refunded in full in principle; however, if the rental fee has not yet been charged, the cancellation fee will be deducted from the deposit):
   • Up to 7 days before departure: 100% refund
   • Up to 3 days before departure: 50% refund
   • Thereafter until departure: no refund (0%)
3. No refund will be made for cancellations after the departure time or for no-shows.

Article 6 (Rental Certificate, Insurance and Compensation)

1. The Company will issue a rental certificate at the time of handover (which may be provided electronically as part of the reservation confirmation). Please keep it (including in electronic form) with you during the rental period.
2. The Company maintains insurance for the rental vehicles covering bodily injury liability (unlimited), property damage liability, vehicle damage and personal injury protection. Deductibles, coverage limits and conditions are set out in the Rental Conditions Schedule and shown on the vehicle page and in the Rental Conditions Schedule.
3. In the following cases, no insurance or compensation applies and the member bears the full amount of the damage:
   • accidents not reported to the police;
   • accidents occurring during a violation of these Terms (including during unauthorized extension, driving by an unregistered driver, drunk driving or other violations of law); and
   • accidents or damage caused by the member's intent or gross negligence.
4. If the vehicle becomes unavailable for rental due to an accident, breakdown or soiling, a Non-Operation Charge (NOC) will apply as compensation for downtime:
   • where the vehicle is returned to the designated place under its own power: JPY 20,000; and
   • where the vehicle cannot be returned under its own power: JPY 50,000.

Article 7 (Post-Rental Charges: Fines, Tolls, etc.)

1. Parking violations: the member must report to the police and pay any fines for parking violations during the rental period. If the Company receives a payment order for an illegal-parking penalty and the member's payment cannot be confirmed, the Company will charge the member the amount of the penalty plus an administrative fee (JPY 10,000).
2. Traffic fines and penalties are borne by the member. Unsettled toll-road charges, fuel shortfalls and damage to interior equipment will be charged at cost plus the Company's handling fee.
3. The Company may deduct the amounts under this Article and any penalties or damages under these Terms from the security deposit, and may invoice the member separately for any shortfall (including amounts discovered after the vehicle has been returned).

Article 8 (Rules of Use)

1. Please refuel the vehicle to approximately the level at pickup before returning it (any shortfall will be charged at cost plus a handling fee).
2. Please clean the interior before returning the vehicle. A cleaning fee will be charged for significant soiling.
3. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the vehicle (including e-cigarettes). A special cleaning fee will be charged if smoking is detected.
4. Pets are not allowed unless approved by the Company in advance.
5. Children under 6 years of age must use a child seat (a legal requirement in Japan; a rental option is available on request).
6. Overnight stays in the vehicle are permitted only at places where this is allowed by law and by the facility's rules, such as RV parks, campgrounds and roadside stations that permit overnight parking. Observe local anti-idling regulations.
7. Use the on-board equipment (bed conversion, sub-battery, FF heater, etc. — and, on vehicles so equipped, fresh/waste water tanks and cassette toilet) in accordance with the Company's instructions. On vehicles with such equipment, empty and dispose of waste water and refuse in the prescribed manner before returning the vehicle. Cleaning or repair costs at actual cost plus a handling fee apply to soiling or damage caused by misuse of equipment or improper disposal.
8. Campervans are taller and wider than ordinary cars — pay close attention to height limits, width limits and narrow roads. In winter, use the vehicle only with equipment and plans adequate for snow, ice and tyre-chain regulations.
9. Taking the vehicle out of Japan is prohibited. Carriage by ferry to outlying islands requires the Company's prior consent.
10. If you will be late returning the vehicle, you must contact the Company in advance. Unauthorized extensions incur excess charges and penalties.
11. Only the member (who has completed identity and licence verification) may drive the vehicle.

Article 9 (Accidents and Breakdowns)

1. In the event of an accident, take necessary measures such as aiding the injured, then always contact the police (dial 110) and the Company. As set out in Article 6, paragraph 3, accidents not reported to the police are not covered by insurance or compensation.
2. If the vehicle becomes unusable due to an accident or breakdown, the Non-Operation Charge (NOC) set out in Article 6, paragraph 4 will apply.
3. Accidents or damage caused by the member's intent, gross negligence, or violation of these Terms shall be borne by the member regardless of insurance coverage.

Article 10 (Prohibited Acts)

• Subleasing, lending, or allowing anyone other than the registered driver to drive
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any use in violation of law
• Use for racing, test driving, towing, or driving instruction
• Criminal activity or use for the activities of anti-social forces
• Modifying the vehicle or removing equipment
• Removing or interfering with GPS or other vehicle-management devices
• Any other act the Company deems inappropriate

Article 11 (Suspension of Membership)

The Company may suspend membership and cancel reservations without prior notice if the member violates these Terms, has unpaid fees, or if the Company otherwise determines that the operation of the Service is impaired.

Article 12 (Exclusion of Anti-Social Forces)

1. The member represents and warrants, now and in the future, that the member is not an organized crime group, a member or associate member thereof, an affiliated company, a corporate racketeer, or any other anti-social force, and has no close relationship with any such party.
2. If the member breaches the preceding paragraph, the Company may cancel reservations and suspend membership without prior demand, and shall not be liable for any resulting damage to the member. In such case, the Company may apply the security deposit as a penalty, and may claim separately any damages exceeding that amount.

Article 13 (Withdrawal of Membership)

1. A member may withdraw from membership by the method designated by the Company, provided there are no outstanding reservations and no unpaid fees or penalties.
2. Personal information after withdrawal is handled in accordance with the Company's Privacy Policy.

Article 14 (Disclaimer; Limitation of Liability)

1. Except where the Company acts with intent or gross negligence, if the Service cannot be provided due to natural disasters, traffic conditions, vehicle breakdowns, or other causes not attributable to the Company, the Company's liability is limited to refunding the rental fee and deposit received, and the Company shall not be liable for any other damages (including indirect damages such as travel or accommodation costs).
2. Where damage is caused to the member by a cause attributable to the Company, the Company shall, except in cases of the Company's intent or gross negligence, compensate the member up to the amount of the rental fee actually received.
3. The Company assumes no obligation to store or compensate for items left in the vehicle.

Article 15 (Notices)

1. Notices from the Company to members are given by email to the registered email address, and are deemed to have reached the member when sent.
2. Members are responsible for keeping their registered information (email address, phone number, payment details, etc.) up to date; the Company is not liable for any disadvantage caused by a failure to do so.

Article 16 (No Assignment)

Members may not assign or pledge their contractual position or any rights or obligations under these Terms to any third party without the Company's prior written consent.

Article 17 (Severability)

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Article 18 (Amendments)

1. The Company may amend these Terms where the amendment conforms to the general interest of members, or where it does not contradict the purpose of the agreement and is reasonable in light of the necessity of the amendment, the appropriateness of the amended content and other circumstances (Article 548-4 of the Civil Code of Japan).
2. When amending these Terms, the Company will set an effective date and announce the amended content and the effective date by posting on the Company's website or by other appropriate means, a reasonable period before the effective date.

Article 19 (Language)

These Terms are executed in Japanese. The English version is provided for reference only; in case of any discrepancy, the Japanese version shall prevail.

Article 20 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction)

These Terms are governed by the laws of Japan. The Takamatsu District Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction as the court of first instance over any dispute arising in connection with the Service.