Terms of service

General Provisions: These Terms of Service (hereinafter referred to as "these Terms") establish the conditions for using the e-commerce website "SŌCHADO" (hereinafter referred to as "this Site") operated by SŌCHADO Inc. By accessing this Site, registering as a member, or purchasing products, you are deemed to have agreed to these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please refrain from using this Site.

Eligibility: Registration on this Site is open to individuals aged 18 or older, or corporate entities.

Registration Information: Users must provide accurate and up-to-date information upon member registration. Registering false information is strictly prohibited.

Account Management: Users are responsible for managing their own account, User ID, and password, and agree not to allow third parties to use them. Users bear full responsibility for all activities occurring under their account.

Refusal of Registration: The Company reserves the right to refuse member registration in cases where false registration information is provided, where a user has previously violated these Terms, or where the Company otherwise deems registration inappropriate.

Product Characteristics: The matcha sold by the Company is a powdered Japanese tea product. As it is sensitive to humidity and temperature, flavor may deteriorate after opening; therefore, avoiding direct sunlight and storing in a refrigerator is recommended.

Product Information: Information such as country of origin, ingredients, and expiration dates listed on product pages is current as of the time of posting. Please be sure to verify the latest information before placing an order.

Expiration Date: Please consume products within the expiration date stated on the item. Deterioration of flavor may occur after opening regardless of storage methods.

Food Allergies: This product may contain specified ingredients/allergens. If you have food allergies, please carefully review product information prior to purchase.

Order Method and Confirmation: Users place an order by selecting products and entering necessary information according to instructions on this Site. Upon receiving an order, the Company will send a confirmation email. The order is confirmed upon the arrival of this confirmation email.

Formation of Contract: A sales contract is established between the user and the Company at the time the order confirmation email is sent. However, the Company reserves the right to cancel sales contracts due to inventory availability or other circumstances.

Order Cancellation: Cancellations after order confirmation are, in principle, not permitted. However, cancellations may be allowed only if the item has not yet been shipped and prior application to and approval from the Company are obtained.

Available Quantity: Purchasing quantity limits may be established depending on product inventory availability.

Payment Methods and Timing: Credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods specified by the Company may be used. For credit card payments, billing occurs at the time of order placement. Payment processing fees are borne by the Company.

Payment Failure: If a payment fails, the Company will notify the user. If no response is received within a specified period, the order may be cancelled.

Shipping: For details regarding shipping fees, delivery timeframes, shipping methods, and handling of delivery issues, please refer to our separately established Shipping Policy.

Returns and Exchanges: For details regarding conditions, application procedures, deadlines, and refunds for returns and exchanges, please refer to our separately established Return Policy. As matcha is a food product, returns are accepted only if a product different from the order was delivered, a product is defective (e.g., damaged or deteriorated), or under other circumstances recognized by the Company as force majeure.

Privacy and Personal Information: The Company's handling of personal information is governed by our separately established Privacy Policy. Please adjust your browser settings regarding the use of cookies.

Intellectual Property Rights: All content on this Site belongs to the Company or legitimate rights holders. Reproduction, republication, distribution, or sale without the permission of the Company is prohibited.

Prohibited Acts: Users must not engage in illegal acts, false orders, unauthorized access, nuisance, infringement of intellectual property rights, purchases for resale, distribution, or other commercial purposes, or any acts deemed inappropriate by the Company.

Prohibition of Resale: Products on this Site are sold under the premise that purchases are for personal use only. If a purchase is found to be for resale, distribution, or other commercial purposes, the Company may terminate the sales contract and refuse returns or refunds.

User Obligations: Users are requested to provide accurate information and confirm notifications sent from the Company.

Disclaimer: The Company shall not be liable for guarantees regarding the safety, accuracy, or appropriateness of this Site, prior notification of information changes on product pages, content of external linked websites, delivery delays due to force majeure, damages resulting from system errors or transmission failures, damages related to data loss or account deletion, or unauthorized access by third parties.

Contract Termination: The Company may terminate a sales contract if a user violates these Terms, if a purchase is found to be for commercial purposes such as resale or distribution, if the user's ability to pay is compromised, or if delivery cannot be completed due to unknown addresses or long-term absence.

Liability upon Termination: Even if a sales contract is terminated, the Company shall not be liable to the user for damages. If the product has already been shipped, the Company shall not be obligated to refund the product price.

Modification and Discontinuation of Services: The Company reserves the right to modify, discontinue, or suspend service contents without prior notice. Services may be unavailable due to maintenance.

Modification of Terms of Service: The Company may update these Terms from time to time for legal or business reasons. In the event of significant changes, prior notice will be provided on the Site. Revised Terms take effect upon being posted on this Site. Continued use of this Site after reviewing the changes constitutes agreement to such modifications.

Governing Law: These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.

Jurisdiction: In the event of any disputes arising in connection with these Terms, agreement is made that the Tokyo District Court shall serve as the court of first instance.

Prior Consultation: Prior to instituting litigation, the user and the Company shall consult with each other in good faith.

Inquiries: SŌCHADO Inc. / Email address: info@so-chado.com

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, the remaining provisions of these Terms shall remain valid and in full effect, excluding that portion.

No Waiver: Failure by the Company to exercise any right under these Terms shall not preclude subsequent exercise of such right.

Notification Methods: Notifications from the Company to users will be made via email or postings on this Site.