Terms of Use

Please read these terms carefully before using our Service.

Soca in Japan ("Soca in Japan", "SIJ") operates the website at www.socainjapan.com (the "Site") and underlying services (collectively, the "Service"). Users are referred to as "you", "your", or "patron". Nothing in these terms is intended to affect your rights under the law in your place of residence.

Agreement (Terms & Conditions)

Making a deposit payment, other payments, or attending an event confirms your acceptance of these Terms. If you are using the Service on behalf of an organisation, you represent that you are authorised to bind that organisation. SIJ may change this Agreement with written notice.

All deposits and payments are non-refundable

Due to the nature of our events, all payments, deposits, and installments are non-refundable.

Carnival costumes and body wear

What you are buying. A Carnival purchase is two separate things: (1) a costume or body wear garment, and (2) where applicable, registration to participate in the Japan Caribbean Carnival. These are treated separately. Costumes are selected and purchased through socainjapan.masos.app, and selection and measurement windows are published ahead of each Carnival.

Where body wear is included in a tour package, the package carries a costume credit of USD $550, applied to your costume selection. The credit is not cash: it cannot be exchanged for cash, transferred, or refunded, and it has no value except against a costume or body wear purchase from SIJ. Where your selection costs more than the credit — including optional Pretty Mas upgrades ($65 males, $100 females) — you pay the difference, and that amount forms part of the costume portion alongside the credit.

If you do not choose. Costume selection and measurements close on the published deadline. If you have not made a selection by that deadline, SIJ will select a costume for you at its sole discretion, using the measurements on file or standard sizing where none have been provided, from the designs and sizes then available and within the value of your credit. A costume selected this way is final: it is not exchangeable, and it carries no refund. Where it costs less than your credit, the difference is not paid out in cash or otherwise credited.

Costumes are committed in advance and cannot be returned. Carnival costumes and body wear are custom garments. Each one is either built to the measurements and selections you submit, or allocated to you from a limited production run that SIJ commits to and pays for in advance of the event. In either case SIJ cannot return the garment, cancel its production, or recover its cost once committed. The costume portion of your payment is therefore non-refundable from the earlier of: the date you submit your measurements or selections, or the published selection deadline. This applies whether or not you attend, and whether or not you submit measurements at all.

If the Carnival does not take place. If the Japan Caribbean Carnival is cancelled, postponed, shortened, relocated, or altered for any reason beyond SIJ's reasonable control — including the circumstances listed under "Cancellation of advertised events by SIJ" — your costume remains yours and the costume portion is not refunded. You receive the garment you paid for.

Collection. Costumes are distributed on the advertised distribution day(s). Costumes not collected on the advertised distribution day(s) are forfeited and may be disposed of at SIJ's discretion, without refund and without further liability. If you cannot attend distribution, contact SIJ in advance to arrange alternative collection or shipping at your own cost and risk.

Postponement or change. If the Carnival is postponed or its date, route, or format changes, your costume remains valid for the rescheduled event. A change of date is not a cancellation and does not create a refund entitlement.

Fit and alterations. Costumes are produced to the measurements you provide. SIJ is not responsible for fit issues arising from measurements that were inaccurate, submitted late, changed after production began, or not provided at all. Minor variations in colour, trim, and finish from published images are normal for handmade Carnival costumes and are not defects.

Your statutory rights. Nothing in this section affects any rights you have under the law of your place of residence that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Cancellation of advertised events by SIJ

In the event of civil unrest, war, acts of God, international disputes, non-operational sightseeing vendors, bankruptcies, or any other reason beyond the control of SIJ, SIJ may cancel, advance, postpone, or substitute events at its sole discretion without liability.

Where SIJ cancels, a complete cancellation results in a return of payment and a partial cancellation a proportional refund — in each case excluding the costume portion of any Carnival purchase (see "Carnival costumes and body wear") and any amounts irrecoverably committed to third-party suppliers on your behalf. Under such circumstances, SIJ shall have no further liability for damages or compensation. Refund availability and any additional fees depend on the cancellation policies of the relevant product or service. Patrons with installment payments 30+ days in arrears may forfeit refund eligibility due to supplier obligations.

Cancellation by an SIJ artist

SIJ has agreements with performing artists but shall not be held liable for the failure of any artist or musician to perform for reasons beyond SIJ's control, including civil unrest, war, international disputes, acts of God, illness, death, and government restrictions. SIJ may engage replacement artists or change, postpone, or terminate events, and shall have no liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense incurred by the patron due to such changes.

Safety during SIJ events

You assume sole responsibility for your own safety during SIJ events. While SIJ prioritises patron safety, the final responsibility rests with the patron. Please follow all safety instructions from the SIJ team.

Photography / video release

Video or audio recordings, filming, or photographs may occur during SIJ events. These may be owned, licensed, assigned, or distributed by SIJ, its affiliates, and assignees nationwide and worldwide. By attending our events, you waive any right to compensation for such use and authorise SIJ, its affiliates, and assignees to use your likeness in any manner. Attendees waive the right to legal action regarding such use.

Zero-tolerance policy

SIJ enforces zero tolerance for threats, violence, discrimination, sexual harassment, illegal substances (drugs including marijuana), property or venue destruction, and other inappropriate conduct during SIJ events.

On charter buses, food and drinks are strictly forbidden. When the vehicle is in motion, passengers must remain seated — it is forbidden to stand, dance, or engage in unsafe acts that may be disruptive to the driver, staff, or other patrons.

Violations may result in cancellation of registration, immediate removal, arrest, and/or criminal prosecution. SIJ will not be liable for any refund or other compensation in such cases.

Vending or advertising

Unless approved by SIJ, no vending or advertising of any kind is allowed during SIJ events. Contact socainjapan@gmail.com for sponsorship or vending inquiries. Selling unauthorised merchandise or advertising brands/products during SIJ events is strictly forbidden; violators will have merchandise confiscated and may be removed. This policy is strictly enforced.

Medical care

All patrons must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for SIJ events, as these may involve a lot of walking and standing. You assume all risks associated with travel and attending SIJ events. For overseas travellers, medical care may not be available in your native language; consult your healthcare provider before visiting Japan, especially regarding allergies. Travel insurance is highly recommended for unforeseen medical expenses.

2026 monthly payment plans

Registration requires an initial payment as low as $350 USD. The remaining balance can be paid in full or through an installment plan. Installment plans divide the remaining balance into up to 6 equal monthly payments, due on the 15th of each month:

• January 15 — 16% of total balance due
• February 15 — 34% of total balance due
• March 15 — 50% of total balance due
• April 15 — 66% of total balance due
• May 15 — 83% of total balance due
• June 15 — 100% of total balance due

The final installment is due no later than June 30, 2026.

Late payments

• 15 days overdue: a $50 late-payment fee.
• 30+ days overdue: forfeiture of deposits (unless arranged otherwise).
• All payments are non-refundable. If your reservation remains unpaid for 30 days past its due date, SIJ reserves the right to cancel your reservation without refund.

Payment to hotel and accommodation

After hotel check-in, patrons may be asked to provide a credit card for incidentals or room-service charges.

Roommates

Your decision to accept a roommate for your accommodation while in Japan is at your own risk. SIJ is not responsible or liable for any claims or causes of action arising out of or in connection with a roommate.

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Questions? Contact socainjapan@gmail.com.