日本語 | English | 中文

API Terms of Use

This English version is a translation for reference. If it differs from the Japanese version, the Japanese version prevails. 日本語版

These API Terms of Use (the "API Terms") set out the conditions of use for those who use the External API of the Avalanche Database provided by the Alpine Avalanche Research Institute, a general incorporated association (hereinafter "AARI") (https://avalanche-data-base.online/api/v1/; the "API"; those who use it are "API users").

Article 1 (Scope)

  1. These API Terms form part of the Terms of Service of the Avalanche Database. The Terms of Service and the Disclaimer also apply to API users. If these API Terms differ from the Terms of Service, these API Terms prevail with regard to use of the API.
  2. The specification of the API (paths, fields and filters) is shown at https://avalanche-data-base.online/api/v1/openapi.json.

Article 2 (Application and keys)

  1. To use the API, apply to info@alpsnadare.com by writing your name, affiliation, contact email address and purpose of use. How information received in an application is handled is set out in the Privacy Policy.
  2. AARI reviews the application and sends these API Terms to those it judges may use the API. AARI issues a key after receiving a reply agreeing to these API Terms. AARI may decline to issue a key.
  3. A key may be used only by the person who applied (or by the organization, if the application was made on behalf of an organization). Do not give the key to others or make it public. If a key is leaked, notify info@alpsnadare.com immediately.

Article 3 (Data provided)

  1. The API provides the following items of those avalanche records whose posters agreed, at the time of posting, to provision through the API. The date and time of occurrence; the location and lines of the avalanche (crown, runout path, extent); the place name and mountain area; the prefecture and municipality; the elevation; the aspect and angle of the slope; the avalanche type, size, dimensions (width, length, crown depth) and trigger; the snow properties (moisture, sliding surface); the snow and weather items; and the record number and the date and time of posting and update.
  2. The reporter name, avalanche qualification, text in the free-text fields, photos, injury items, email address, contact details and member ID are not provided.
  3. No specific public license (such as Creative Commons) is attached to the data of the API. API users may use it only within the scope of these API Terms.

Article 4 (Scope of use)

  1. API users may use the data of the API for their own research, work and education, within the scope of the purpose written in the application.
  2. API users may publish things made using the data of the API (statistics, figures, maps, papers, safety management materials, and so on). In that case, write the source in Article 5.
  3. API users must not do any of the following.
    1. Hand over or publish the data of the API to a third party as it is, or in large part as it is (except where AARI has approved in writing)
    2. Sell the data of the API
    3. Try to identify a poster or any other individual by using the data of the API, for example by matching it with other data
    4. Make something that uses the data of the API appear to have been created by AARI, or to have its content guaranteed by AARI
    5. Based on the data of the API, issue avalanche, snow cover or weather forecasts or warnings to others without a permit under the Meteorological Service Act
    6. Let others use the key, or place an excessive load on the servers of the API
    7. Do any of the prohibited acts in Article 11 of the Terms of Service

Article 5 (How to write the source)

  1. When publishing something that uses the data of the API, write the following source.
    "Source: Alpine Avalanche Research Institute, a general incorporated association, Avalanche Database (https://avalanche-data-base.online/)"
    The Japanese wording in the "attribution" field of the API responses may also be used.
  2. The elevation, the aspect and angle of the slope, and the prefecture and municipality are values that AARI calculated or assigned based on the elevation API, the reverse geocoder and the municipality codes of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. When using these items, also write "Created based on data of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan".
  3. When you have processed the data, write that you have processed it.

Article 6 (Usage limits and suspension of keys)

  1. The API has an upper limit on the number of calls within a certain period of time. Calls that exceed the limit are not answered.
  2. AARI may suspend a key if an API user violates these API Terms or if the operation of the API is disrupted.

Article 7 (Nature of the data)

  1. The data of the API are records of avalanches that posters saw, and may contain errors. AARI does not guarantee that the data are accurate, complete or up to date.
  2. Many avalanches that occur are not reported. A place or a day with no record does not mean that no avalanche occurred or that it was safe.
  3. The data of the API are not an avalanche forecast or an assessment of danger.

Article 8 (Deleted records)

  1. A record whose post has been deleted or removed from public view is no longer delivered by the API.
  2. When AARI asks an API user to delete a specific record from the data the API user holds, in order to protect an individual's rights, the API user must delete that record.

Article 9 (Responsibility of AARI)

For damage suffered by an API user from using the API or from being unable to use the API, AARI is responsible as stated in Article 15, paragraph 3 of the Terms of Service.

Article 10 (Changes to and termination of the API)

  1. AARI may change the specification of the API or terminate the API.
  2. AARI will give notice to the email address in the application at least 1 month before a change that makes the existing way of calling the API unusable, and before terminating the API.

Article 11 (Changes to these API Terms; governing law)

  1. Changes to these API Terms follow the procedure in Article 17 of the Terms of Service. AARI will also give notice to the email address in the application.
  2. The governing law and the court are as stated in Article 19 of the Terms of Service.

Supplementary provisions

These API Terms apply from October 19, 2026. AARI will send these API Terms to the email address in the application of those who received a key before October 19, 2026, and ask for their agreement.

Enacted: October 19, 2026
Alpine Avalanche Research Institute (General Incorporated Association)

← Back to Home