Terms of Service
1. Service Overview
Links provides luggage delivery services for hikers along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route, from Kii-Tanabe Station to the Hongu/Kawayu/Yunomine/Watarase area. Links does not arrange or book accommodation; guests are responsible for securing their own accommodation bookings before requesting delivery.
2. Booking & Payment
Bookings for Regular and Premium plans are made via our website.
Advance bookings (delivery date 8 or more days away)
Submit the booking form → you will receive a confirmation email (no payment at this point) → one week before your delivery date, we will send you a Square payment link via WhatsApp → your booking is confirmed once payment is complete.
Last-minute bookings (delivery date within 7 days)
Submit the booking form → pay right away on the Square payment screen.
Rescue
Rescue plan bookings are arranged directly via WhatsApp. We will send you a payment link individually.
3. Plans & Pricing
- Regular: One-way, single-leg delivery. Pricing varies by route (see current rates on our booking page).
- Premium: Full-route delivery from Kii-Tanabe Station to the Hongu area, picked up daily. ¥15,000 per bag.
- Rescue: Same-day requests, or delivery to the Koguchi, Shingu and Katsuura areas. Subject to availability. The final price will be confirmed via WhatsApp when you contact us. See Section 7 for details.
- Regular & Rescue: 2nd bag onward +¥500 per bag. Premium: 2nd bag onward +¥1,500 per bag (covers all 3 sections).
Additional Bags After Booking
If the number of bags increases after your booking is confirmed, please message us via WhatsApp as soon as possible — ideally before we arrive for pickup. Additional bags will be charged at the same per-bag rate listed above (Regular & Rescue: +¥500, Premium: +¥1,500), with a separate payment link sent individually.
4. Cancellation Policy
Regular & Premium bookings:
For bookings made when the delivery date is 8 or more days away: since payment is not collected until closer to your delivery date, you may cancel free of charge any time before your payment link is sent. Once payment is completed, the refund tiers below apply based on your delivery date.
- 3+ days before delivery: full refund
- 2 days before through 8:00 PM the night before: 50% refund
- After 8:00 PM the night before: no refund
- Severe weather, road closures, or other force majeure: full refund or free rescheduling
Rescue bookings:
Once confirmed, Rescue bookings are non-refundable, except in cases of severe weather or vehicle trouble on our end.
Please review each plan's details carefully before booking.
Premium is available only as a full-route package departing from Kii-Tanabe Station. We are unable to modify, extend, or refund a booking on the basis that a guest did not review the plan details in advance.
5. Luggage Conditions
- Maximum 20kg per bag, up to 10 bags per booking. Need more than 10? Message us directly on WhatsApp — we'll arrange it individually.
- We are unable to accept cash, valuables, or fragile items.
- Bags are protected with weatherproof covers during transport.
6. Delivery Areas & Accommodation Requirements
- Regular & Premium: Kii-Tanabe Station through Takijiri/Takahara, Chikatsuyu/Nonaka, and the Hongu/Kawayu/Yunomine/Watarase area.
- Rescue: The above areas, plus Koguchi, Shingu, and Katsuura.
- All accommodation bookings must be completed before arranging delivery. Guests are asked to inform their accommodation that Links will be dropping off or picking up luggage.
- We are unable to deliver to unstaffed accommodations (e.g. self-check-in stays) where we cannot reach a host in advance. If your accommodation is not listed on our site, please check with us via WhatsApp before booking.
7. Rescue Plan Terms
- Rescue is intended for same-day requests, or for delivery to the Koguchi, Shingu, and Katsuura areas. Availability is subject to vehicle capacity, route conditions, and area-specific deadlines confirmed at the time of the request.
- Within the Nakahechi area, the Rescue rate is the Regular rate + ¥1,000. 2nd bag onward is +¥500 per bag on all plans (Premium: +¥1,500 per bag, covering all 3 sections).
- Bookings are arranged directly via WhatsApp; pricing and confirmation are provided individually.
- Links reserves the right to decline a Rescue request if it cannot be safely or logistically fulfilled.
8. Contact & Communication
Links does not accept phone calls for bookings or inquiries. Please contact us via WhatsApp for all communication, including booking questions, delivery confirmations, and cancellations.
9. Limitation of Liability
Links takes reasonable care in the handling and transport of all luggage. However, Links is not liable for damage, loss, or delay caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, road closures, or vehicle trouble. Photo confirmation is provided at pickup and delivery for peace of mind.
10. Amendments
Links may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in pricing, service areas, or operations. The most current version will always be available on our website.