Terms and Conditions

The agreement in plain words

When you agree a session with Quiet Falcon Labs, or take part in one, the agreement between us is made of these Terms and Conditions and the Terms of Service. They are written for a small operation that works with live animals, so some clauses are about the birds as much as about you. We would rather you read them before booking than discover them on the day.

1. What we ask of you

1. Follow the falconer. Move slowly, keep your voice low and stay where you are asked to stand. A sudden movement can unsettle a hawk or an owl far more than it seems.
2. Hands off unless invited. Do not touch, feed, call or approach a bird unless our team directs you to, and do not use flash photography near the birds.
3. Other animals. Please leave dogs and other animals at home, since a dog in view can stress a raptor.
4. Health. Tell us in advance if anyone in your group has an allergy, an injury or a medical condition that might matter around feathers, dust or heights.
5. Age. People under 18 must come with a guardian. Children must be at least 8 years old to attend an encounter.
6. The law. Our guidance does not replace the registration and permission requirements that apply to you as a keeper of birds of prey in Japan.
7. Your messages. Do not send us unlawful, offensive or misleading content, and handle other people’s personal information lawfully if you give it to us.

2. What you can expect from us

1. Reasonable skill and care. Our services are carried out by people who keep and survey birds, with care for the birds first.
2. Honest limits. If a question falls outside our expertise, we say so and point you to someone better placed, such as an avian veterinarian.
3. What the reports are. A care report records what we observed on the day and what we suggest. It is not veterinary advice and it is not a guarantee of any outcome for a bird.
4. Weather and welfare. When heavy rain, strong heat or a bird’s condition makes a session unwise, we pause it and rebook at no charge.

3. Liability

1. To the extent the law allows, our liability for a service is limited to the fee you paid for it, and we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss.
2. Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot lawfully be limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by our intent or gross negligence, and your rights as a consumer under Japanese law are not affected.
3. Birds are living animals. Despite careful handling, a bird may bite, scratch or move unexpectedly. By taking part, you accept this ordinary risk, and we on our side accept our duty to keep it as small as we can.
4. We are not responsible for failure or delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control, such as a typhoon, an earthquake, illness among the birds or public-health measures. Where we can, we reschedule at no charge.

4. Fees, changes and cancellations

1. The price of a service is the one set out in our written reply. The website lists standard prices in yen, tax included.
2. Payment details and timing are agreed in the reply. Nothing is taken through the website.
3. If you wish to cancel or move a date, tell us as soon as you can. Any charge that applies is named in the reply before you confirm, so you are never surprised by one.
4. If we cancel for reasons of welfare or weather, we offer a new date without charge.

5. Governing law and disagreements

1. These terms are governed by the laws of Japan.
2. If something goes wrong, please write or call first. We would like to settle it in conversation.
3. A dispute we cannot settle goes to the courts of competent jurisdiction in Japan.
4. If a clause is found unenforceable, the rest stays in force.
5. We may revise these terms. The date at the top shows the current version, and the version in force on the day you confirm a booking applies to that booking.

Questions are welcome through the contact page.

6. Photographs, language and small print

1. Your photographs. You may photograph the birds for your own memory, without flash and only where and when our falconer says it is calm enough. Using those pictures commercially, or presenting them as pictures of our business, needs our written permission.
2. Our photographs. The pictures on the website are illustrations of birds of prey and field scenes in general. They are described in their captions and are not a promise that you will meet a particular individual bird.
3. Language. These terms are written in English. If a Japanese translation is ever supplied for convenience, the wording of this page is what we apply to the booking, unless mandatory Japanese consumer law says otherwise.
4. Transfer of a booking. A place at an encounter can pass to a friend if you tell us beforehand. A survey or a consultation is tied to the land or the birds it was arranged for.