利用規約 | Made by Japan

Last updated: April 2026

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to Made by Japan (craftinjapan.jp), an online platform dedicated to helping visitors and residents discover traditional and contemporary Japanese crafts, artisans, workshops, and craft-related cultural experiences. By accessing or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to any provision of these terms, you should not use the website.

These terms form a legally binding agreement between you and the operators of Made by Japan. If you are accessing the website on behalf of a business, educational institution, or cultural organization, you confirm that you are authorized to accept these terms on behalf of that entity.

2. Description of Service

Made by Japan is a craft discovery and cultural information platform. We publish curated listings, artisan profiles, and editorial content about Japanese craftsmanship, covering:

Pottery and ceramics (yakimono), including regional styles such as Arita, Bizen, and Mashiko
Textile arts including indigo dyeing (aizome), kimono weaving, and Nishijin-ori
Lacquerware (urushi) and woodworking traditions
Metalwork, including kitchen knives (hocho), cast iron (tetsu), and copperware
Papermaking (washi), calligraphy supplies, and bookbinding
Glass, bamboo craft, stone carving, and other artisanal traditions
Craft workshops, studio visits, and hands-on experience opportunities

Made by Japan is an informational and editorial resource. We do not sell craft products, accept workshop reservations, or act as a commercial agent for any artisan or studio listed on our platform. Purchases, bookings, and other transactions are conducted directly between you and the artisan, studio, or retailer.

3. Use of the Website

You agree to use Made by Japan only for personal, non-commercial purposes related to discovering Japanese crafts and artisans. The following activities are prohibited:

Using the website in violation of any applicable local, national, or international law
Attempting unauthorized access to the website, its servers, or connected infrastructure
Transmitting material that is defamatory, abusive, or violates the rights of others
Deploying automated tools, scrapers, or bots to extract artisan data, images, or other content without our express written permission
Disrupting or interfering with the normal operation of the website
Using artisan profile information, workshop details, or contact information for unsolicited commercial solicitation

4. Content Accuracy and Craft Information

Made by Japan aims to provide accurate, thoughtful information about Japanese crafts and the artisans who create them. However, the world of traditional and contemporary craft is dynamic. You acknowledge and accept the following:

Workshop and studio availability:Craft workshops, studio visits, and hands-on experiences listed on our platform may change their schedules, suspend operations, require advance reservations, or close to the public without notice. Availability may be seasonal or depend on the artisan's production schedule. Always contact the workshop or studio directly to confirm availability before visiting.
Artisan information: Biographical details, artistic histories, and descriptions of techniques are compiled from publicly available sources, interviews, and our own research. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee that all details are current or complete. Artisans may retire, relocate, or change their practice.
Traditional craft designations: References to official designations such as National Traditional Craft Products (Dentoteki Kogeihin), Intangible Cultural Properties, Living National Treasures (Ningen Kokuho), and UNESCO recognitions are made for informational purposes. While we reference these designations carefully, official status should be verified through government sources such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry or the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Product and pricing information: Craft items, their prices, and availability at studios, shops, and markets may differ from descriptions on our platform. Handmade items are by nature unique, and individual pieces may vary in appearance, size, and price.
Technique descriptions: Our descriptions of craft techniques and production processes are written for a general audience and may be simplified. They should not be relied upon as authoritative technical or historical references.

5. Cultural Sensitivity

Japanese craft traditions carry deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance. When using Made by Japan and engaging with the crafts and artisans featured on our platform, we ask that you:

Approach traditional crafts with respect for their cultural origins and the communities that have maintained them across generations
Follow studio etiquette during workshop visits, including removing shoes where indicated, not touching works in progress without permission, and following photography guidelines
Recognize that some craft techniques and designs have specific regional or familial significance and may not be appropriate to reproduce commercially without proper attribution or permission

6. Intellectual Property

All original content on Made by Japan, including written articles, artisan profiles, photographs, illustrations, logos, and the website's design, is the property of Made by Japan or its content licensors. This content is protected by Japanese and international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or commercially use any content from the website without our prior written consent. Personal use such as saving artisan information for your travel plans is permitted. Sharing links to our pages is encouraged.

Images of craft works, artisan portraits, and studio photographs featured on our platform may be subject to additional rights held by the artisans, photographers, or rights holders. These images may not be reproduced without obtaining permission from the relevant rights holder.

7. User Conduct and Contributions

Made by Japan may offer features for bookmarking artisans, submitting workshop reviews, sharing photographs of craft items, or contributing other content. When using these features, you agree to:

Provide honest, respectful feedback about workshops and craft experiences
Not upload photographs of artisans or their work without appropriate permission
Treat the cultural heritage represented by Japanese crafts with respect in your contributions
Not post content that is offensive, misleading, or infringes on the rights of others
Grant Made by Japan a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your submitted content for the purpose of operating and improving the platform

We reserve the right to remove user-generated content at our discretion without notice, especially content that is culturally insensitive, inaccurate, or violates these terms.

8. Third-Party Links and External Services

Our website may contain links to external sites operated by artisans, craft studios, cultural organizations, tourism boards, e-commerce platforms, and other third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to help you explore Japanese crafts further.

Made by Japandoes not control and accepts no responsibility for the content, practices, or availability of third-party websites. Any purchases, workshop bookings, or interactions you make through external links are governed by those sites' own terms and policies. Linking to an external site does not constitute an endorsement by Made by Japan.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including the Japanese Consumer Contract Act (Shohisha Keiyaku Ho), Made by Japan and its operators shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to:

Your use of or inability to access the website or its content
Reliance on craft information, workshop availability, artisan details, or product descriptions that may have changed
Experiences at craft studios, workshops, or shops discovered through our platform, including closures, scheduling issues, or product quality concerns
Inaccuracies in traditional craft designations, historical information, or artisan biographies
Actions or content of any third-party website linked from our platform
Any unauthorized access to or alteration of your data or transmissions

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded under Japanese law, including liability for intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these terms or your use of Made by Japan shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court as the court of first instance. If any provision of these terms is found invalid or unenforceable, including under the Japanese Consumer Contract Act, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may revise these Terms of Service periodically to reflect changes in our service, legal requirements, or operational practices. Material changes will be indicated by an updated "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review these terms from time to time. Continued use of Made by Japan after any revisions constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, wish to report inaccurate artisan information, or want to provide feedback about Made by Japan, please contact us at info@craftinjapan.jp. We appreciate your help in maintaining accurate, respectful coverage of Japanese craft traditions.