Hikari | Instructor Terms & Conditions

Last updated: Oct 8th, 2025

Welcome to Hikari Snowsports Limited (“we”, “our”, “us” or “Hikari”).

We operate an online platform that connects independent ski instructors affiliated with a Japanese ski school (“Instructors”) with people who want to book ski lessons (“Guests”) in Japan. By creating an Instructor profile or providing lessons through a Japanese ski school on our platform, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

1. Our Role

Hikari provides a platform for Guests and Instructors to find and book ski lessons.

We do not employ, manage, or supervise Instructors. Each Instructor operates via a Japanese ski school on our platform and is solely responsible for their own services, insurance, taxes, and compliance with Japanese laws and resort regulations.

Our role is limited to facilitating connections and handling payments between Guests and ski schools to whom the Instructors are affiliated. We do not provide or rent ski equipment of any kind.

2. Instructor Accounts

To create an Instructor profile, you must be at least 18 years old and provide accurate, up-to-date information, including your qualifications.

You agree to the publication of the information contained in your profile on the Hikari platform. You agree that you have the right and appropriate permissions to use any content (text, images, videos, or other assets) that you supply to the Hikari platform. You warrant that all content you upload does not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyrights, trademarks, or patents.

You are fully responsible for any and all damages, costs, expenses, and legal fees (including attorney fees) incurred by Hikari as a result of any copyright infringement claim or other intellectual property violation related to content you have uploaded to the platform. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hikari against any such claims.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and all activity under it.

We reserve the right to suspend or close accounts that contain false or misleading information, infringing content, or violate our policies.

3. Bookings, Fees, and Payments

All bookings and payments are processed through the Hikari platform.

Guests pay the full amount at the time of booking, which includes the ski school's fee, Hikari's service fee, and payment processing fees.

You must have a contractual arrangement with a Japanese ski school who is registered on the Hikari platform. This arrangement must regulate the basis upon which the ski school will remunerate you for any lessons booked using the Hikari platform by Guests with you.

Hikari is responsible for collecting the fee payable by the Guest and remitting this fee, less the amount of Hikari's service fee and payment processing fees, to the ski school with whom you have a contractual arrangement. Based on this contractual arrangement, the ski school will be responsible for paying your share of the fee for any lesson booked by a Guest with you on the Hikari platform.

4. Cancellations and Refunds

In the event of adverse weather, limited terrain, or partial lift closures, lessons will proceed where conditions allow, and no refunds or credits will be provided.

A refund or rescheduling may be offered only if all resort lifts are officially closed for the day, making it impossible to conduct any lesson. In such cases, Hikari will assist in arranging a rescheduled lesson or determine a fair resolution at its discretion.

Instructors must have a contractual arrangement with a Japanese ski school on the Hikari platform. This should regulate the basis upon which the ski school will remunerate the Instructor for any lessons booked using the Hikari platform by Guests with that Instructor which are subsequently cancelled for whatever reason.

5. Instructor Responsibilities

Instructors must:

Have a contractual or employment arrangement with an authorized Japanese ski school registered on the Hikari platform. This ski school is responsible for the Instructor's activities and must maintain active liability and accident insurance covering those activities.
Hold valid ski teaching qualifications recognized in Japan.
Provide professional, safe, and respectful instruction.
Follow all local resort regulations and laws.
Accurately describe their qualifications, experience and lesson details.
Communicate clearly and promptly with Guests.
Deliver the lesson themselves. Instructor substitutions are not permitted. The specific instructor booked by the Guest must deliver the lesson unless the Guest explicitly agrees to an alternative instructor in advance.
Wait at least one hour after the scheduled lesson start-time for a guest running late to arrive. You must attempt to contact the guest before leaving, notify the guest that you have waited for a full hour and you are leaving, and notify Hikari that your guest did not show up. If your guest informs you of their new arrival time, you must wait for the guest and meet them at their new arrival time; you cannot leave until the full lesson duration has expired.

Failure to comply with these conditions may lead to account suspension or removal.

6. Conduct

All users of Hikari must act respectfully and professionally.

Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior toward Guests, resort staff, or other instructors is strictly prohibited.

You must not attempt to solicit Guests outside the platform, bypass platform payments, or use Hikari for any unlawful purpose.

7. Liability and Risk

Skiing and snowboarding carry inherent risks. By teaching through Hikari, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Hikari is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, damages, or losses that occur during lessons.

Instructors must ensure they are covered by appropriate insurance including for professional liability and personal accident risks.

8. Disputes

If a dispute arises with a Guest, you should first try to resolve it directly.

If assistance is needed, contact Hikari support at hikariski.com/contact. While we may help mediate, Hikari is not legally responsible for resolving disputes between users.

9. Reviews and Feedback

Guests may leave reviews for instructors after completing lessons.

Reviews are the property of Hikari and may be displayed on instructor profiles to help future Guests make informed decisions. Hikari will grant permission at our own discretion for ski schools or instructors to use reviews generated on Hikari on their own website and in their own marketing materials.

You may not offer incentives for positive reviews or attempt to manipulate the review system.

Hikari reserves the right to remove reviews that violate our content policies, but we do not edit or alter genuine Guest feedback.

10. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms periodically. Any significant changes will be posted on our website or sent via email.

Continuing to use the platform after updates means you agree to the new version.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United Kingdom.

All users agree to comply with Japanese laws and resort rules while operating in Japan.

Disputes relating to Hikari's operation fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of UK courts.

12. Contact

If you have questions or feedback, contact us at hikariski.com/contact.