House Rules

Last updated: January 2026

The content on JP Atmos is provided as-is for informational and literary purposes. We write essays about our observations of daily life in Japan, and we try to be accurate, honest, and fair in everything we publish. However, we are human, and humans make mistakes. This page sets out the boundaries of what we offer and what we don't offer, so that you can use our site with a clear understanding of what it is and what it isn't.

Not an Academic Source

Our essays are personal observations, not academic research. We don't cite sources in the way that a scholarly paper would. We don't claim that our experiences are representative of all of Japan, or even of the specific places we write about. What we describe is what we saw, what we felt, and what we thought about it. If you're writing an academic paper about Japan, you should consult peer-reviewed sources, academic journals, and scholarly books. Our essays might give you a sense of atmosphere, but they should not be treated as evidence in an academic argument.

Not a Travel Guide

JP Atmos is not a travel website. We don't provide recommendations for where to stay, what to eat, or how to get around. We don't write about tourist attractions, and we don't try to tell you what you should see on your trip to Japan. Our focus is on the ordinary, everyday aspects of Japanese life that most travel writing ignores. If you're planning a trip to Japan, there are many excellent travel guides and websites that can help you. We're not one of them.

Not Liable for Your Decisions

We write about our experiences and observations, but we can't know your specific situation. Nothing on this website should be taken as advice for your own life, your own travels, or your own decisions. If you choose to visit a place we wrote about, to try something we described, or to base a decision on something you read here, you do so at your own risk. JP Atmos and its writers are not liable for any losses, damages, or inconveniences that result from your use of the information on this site.

Copyright

All content on this website, including essays, photographs, and design elements, is the property of JP Atmos LLC unless otherwise noted. Our essays are protected by copyright law, and you may not reproduce them, in whole or in part, without our written permission. This includes republishing on other websites, in print publications, or in any other format. If you want to quote a short passage for review or commentary purposes, that's generally fine under fair use, but please credit us and link back to the original essay.

If you want to use our content in a way that goes beyond fair use, or if you're not sure whether your intended use qualifies as fair use, please contact us at write@jpatmos.com. We're usually happy to discuss reasonable requests.

Links to Other Websites

Our essays may occasionally include links to other websites for reference or context. We don't control those websites, and we're not responsible for their content or their privacy practices. If you follow a link from our site to another site, you should review that site's terms and policies before using it.

Affiliate Links

On rare occasions, we may link to books that we quote or reference in our essays. Some of these links may be affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only link to books that we genuinely recommend, and we always mark affiliate links clearly. Affiliate income helps us keep the site running, but it does not influence what we write about.

Governing Law

These house rules are governed by the laws of the State of Vermont, USA. If any dispute arises from your use of this website, you agree that the courts of Vermont will have jurisdiction.

Changes to These Rules

We may update these house rules from time to time. If we make significant changes, we will note the updated date at the top of this page. By continuing to use our website after changes are posted, you accept the revised rules.

Contact

If you have questions about these house rules, or if you want to request permission to use our content, please write to us at write@jpatmos.com or by mail at JP Atmos LLC, 10 Main St, Montpelier, VT 05602, USA.