Terms & Conditions

1. What AkiyaX is (and is not)

AkiyaX is an informational software platform that curates, aggregates, translates, and presents publicly available property listings and related research tools to help users discover second homes, vacation properties, and high-potential akiya in Japan. The Service may also provide general buyer education, cost estimates, map overlays, Buyer Dossiers, translation coordination, and optional introductions or hand-off support to independent third-party professionals.

AkiyaX and the Company are not a real-estate broker, agent, dealer, marketplace counterparty, escrow, law firm, tax advisor, financial advisor, lender, insurer, inspector, or party to any property transaction. Nothing on the Service is legal, financial, tax, investment, brokerage, or professional advice. Any decision to buy, sell, renovate, finance, insure, or visit a property is yours alone.

2. Proprietary scoring & Platform Information

The Service provides a proprietary scoring system (the “Akiya X Score”) and related sub-scores (including Location & Lifestyle, Property Viability, Buyer Readiness, and Value for Money), plus data-confidence indicators, translations, currency conversions, cost estimates, hazard and zoning overlays, short-term rental (minpaku) indications, Buyer Dossiers, and other listing or research content (collectively, “Platform Information”). You acknowledge and agree:

• Estimates only. Scores and Platform Information are automated, subjective, and incomplete. They are not appraisals, valuations, surveys, structural or seismic reports, title opinions, habitability or safety certifications, or legal conclusions. A high score does not mean a property is safe, buildable, financeable, insurable, or fairly priced.
• Third-party and stale data. Listings and overlays may be wrong, outdated, partial, or mistranslated. Japanese-language source materials and local records control. Always verify with licensed professionals and official sources before relying on anything.
• Use at your own risk. Any reliance on Platform Information is entirely at your own risk. We do not warrant accuracy, completeness, timeliness, fitness, or reliability of any Platform Information.
• Changes. We may modify, recalculate, re-tier, or remove scores, methodologies, features, and content at any time without notice.

3. Professional introductions & partners

If we introduce you to brokers, judicial scriveners, tax agents, guides, or other professionals, those parties are independent third parties. We do not control their work, fees, availability, or advice; we do not guarantee any introduction, representation, outcome, timeline, or closing; and we are not their agent or your agent. Your relationship with any professional is solely between you and that professional. We may receive referral or similar fees from partners; that does not create fiduciary duties to you.

4. Accounts & eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority where you live) to use the Service. You are responsible for your account credentials, for all activity under your account, and for providing accurate information. We may refuse, suspend, or terminate accounts at our sole discretion, including for suspected abuse, chargebacks, or Terms violations. Features may require email verification or a paid membership.

Account holders receive the Akiya X newsletter and other Service communications. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time from the link in every issue or from account settings. Unsubscribing does not affect transactional mail (verification, password reset, billing) or new-listing alerts you have saved.

5. Memberships, billing & cancellations

Paid memberships unlock premium features described on the Service (such as scored research tools, map layers, saved shortlists, and Buyer Dossiers). Payments are processed by Stripe or other processors; we do not store full payment-card numbers. By purchasing, you authorize recurring charges for the selected billing interval until you cancel.

Memberships renew automatically at the then-current price unless canceled before the renewal date through your account billing portal. Cancellation stops future renewals; access continues through the end of the paid period. Except where mandatory law requires otherwise, all fees are non-refundable, including for unused time, dissatisfaction, account termination for cause, or Service changes. We may change prices, plans, or features prospectively with notice by posting on the Service or emailing you; continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. Taxes may apply. Failed payments may result in suspension of paid access.

6. Currency conversion

USD amounts are approximate conversions from Japanese yen using third-party rates for convenience only. Yen (or the source currency) governs. Actual costs, fees, taxes, and exchange outcomes may differ. We are not responsible for conversion discrepancies or FX losses.

7. Third-party listings, links & services

The Service references properties, maps, analytics, payments, authentication, and other third-party sites and services we do not own or control. We are not responsible for third-party content, availability, policies, or practices. Your dealings with any third party are solely between you and that third party.

8. Acceptable use

You agree not to misuse the Service, including by scraping or harvesting data; reverse engineering; interfering with operation or security; attempting unauthorized access; circumventing paywalls or access controls; infringing others’ rights; uploading malware; misrepresenting your identity; using the Service to provide competing commercial data products; or using it for any unlawful purpose. We may investigate and suspend or terminate access at any time, for any reason, without notice or liability.

9. Intellectual property & feedback

The Service—including its design, text, software, scores, methodologies, dossiers, data compilations, and the AkiyaX name and branding—is owned by Snack Software, LLC and its licensors and protected by applicable laws. We grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access the Service for your personal, non-commercial research. You may not copy, resell, republish, or commercially exploit Platform Information or scores except as expressly allowed. If you submit feedback or suggestions, you grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use them without restriction or compensation. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

10. Disclaimer of warranties

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SERVICE AND ALL PLATFORM INFORMATION ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ACCURACY, QUIET ENJOYMENT, AND UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT LISTINGS EXIST, REMAIN AVAILABLE, ARE LAWFULLY TRANSFERABLE, OR ARE SUITABLE FOR ANY PURPOSE.

11. Limitation of liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SNACK SOFTWARE, LLC, AKIYAX, AND THEIR OWNERS, AFFILIATES, LICENSORS, AND PERSONNEL WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES; OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, GOODWILL, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, OR PROPERTY VALUE; OR ANY COSTS OF SUBSTITUTE SERVICES, TRAVEL, INSPECTIONS, LEGAL FEES, RENOVATION, OR TRANSACTION EXPENSES; ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE, PLATFORM INFORMATION, MEMBERSHIPS, INTRODUCTIONS, OR YOUR RELIANCE THEREON—EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY.

OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SERVICE WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID US FOR THE SERVICE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (US$100). THESE LIMITS ARE A FUNDAMENTAL BASIS OF THE BARGAIN AND APPLY REGARDLESS OF THEORY OF LIABILITY AND WHETHER A REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.

12. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Snack Software, LLC, AkiyaX, and their owners, affiliates, and personnel from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to: your use of the Service; your reliance on Platform Information; any property inquiry, travel, offer, purchase, or dispute; your dealings with third parties or professionals; your content or account activity; or your violation of these Terms or applicable law.

13. Changes to the Service and Terms

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service (in whole or part) at any time without liability. We may update these Terms by posting a revised version. Changes are effective when posted (or on a later stated date). Your continued use after changes become effective constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree, stop using the Service and cancel any membership.

14. Governing law & disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state in which Snack Software, LLC is organized (the “Governing State”), without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. Except for claims that may be brought in small-claims court, any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. You and we waive any right to a jury trial and to participate in a class, collective, or representative action. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction. If arbitration is found unenforceable for a particular claim, exclusive venue for that claim lies in the state or federal courts located in the Governing State, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.

15. Miscellaneous

These Terms are the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Service and supersede prior agreements on that subject. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. You may not assign these Terms without our consent; we may assign them freely, including in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale. Provisions that by nature should survive termination (including Sections 2, 3, 5, and 9–15) will survive. The Service is offered from the United States; we make no representation it is appropriate or available elsewhere. Headings are for convenience only.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Please reach us through our contact form.