Written in the third person by Mac to make it sound more professional, innit!
Membership
Can I upgrade or downgrade my tier at any time? Yes. You can change your tier whenever you like. Upgrades take effect immediately. Downgrades take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.
What does “continuous membership” mean for time-based benefits? It means an uninterrupted subscription at the qualifying tier. If you cancel and rejoin, or downgrade and upgrade again, the clock restarts from your new start date.
If I upgrade, does my membership clock reset? It depends on the benefit. If you’ve been a member for four months and upgrade, you’re already four months into the clock on your time-based benefits.
If I cancel and rejoin, do I start from zero? Yes. Cancellation resets your membership duration for time-based benefits. If you’re thinking about taking a break, get in touch first – in some circumstances we may be able to work something out.
Billing and payments
What currency are the prices in? All prices are in US dollars. Stripe handles conversion to your local currency at checkout.
Can I pay annually rather than monthly? Not currently, but it’s on the roadmap. If annual billing matters to you, let us know – member feedback shapes how this programme develops.
Is my payment secure? Payments are handled by Stripe, one of the world’s leading payment processors. Kanpai Planet does not store your card details.
Community
What’s the difference between the Toji WhatsApp community and the Takumi WhatsApp group? The Toji community is the main Kanpai Planet membership group – open to all members from Toji tier upwards. It’s where the broader community connects, shares recommendations and talks Japan’s drinks. The Takumi WhatsApp group is a separate, smaller group exclusively for Takumi and Meijin members, with a different level of access and a more direct line to Mac.
Are the WhatsApp groups no team, no filters? Yes. The WhatsApp groups are run by Mac. No assistants, no moderation.
Time-based benefits
How early is early access? The plan is to release videos to Kanpai Planet members at least 48 hours before release to the general public. In some cases, breaking news or other such factors, Mac may decide to release the video immediately to all but will explain his decision to members.
When do time-based benefits unlock? Benefits that require a minimum membership period unlock automatically once you’ve reached that threshold – provided your membership has been continuous at the qualifying tier.
What happens to my time-based benefits if I pause or cancel? They reset. Continuous membership means uninterrupted. If you cancel and return, you start the clock again.
Meijin tier
Will the tier really only have 5 members? Yes. Any potential future expansion beyond 5 will require a vote by the members.
How does the private dinner work? Once you’ve completed six months of continuous Meijin membership, Mac will reach out to arrange. You choose the city.
Does Mac really travel anywhere? Yes. The Meijin tier is limited to five members precisely because this is a genuine commitment, not a marketing promise. Mac will travel to wherever you are, with reasonable notice.
What if Mac can’t make it due to circumstances outside his control? If something genuinely unavoidable arises, Mac will reschedule at the earliest opportunity. This is a personal commitment made in good faith and honoured in good faith.
How does the video commission work? Mac will confirm the topic with you within two weeks of your unlock date and aim to deliver the video within three months. If the production requires more time – which it sometimes will – he’ll keep you updated throughout. The only caveat is that topics need to fall within the world of Japan’s drinks and not conflict with the channel’s editorial independence.
How does the art commission work? Every 12 months of continuous Meijin membership, Mac commissions an original piece of art inspired by a bottle of your choice. You choose the bottle, Mac takes it from there.
Merchandise and discounts
What bottlings are you referring to? First, let me be clear. Kanpai Planet does NOT sell bottles. However, Mac is involved in bottlings, such as the Ghost Series #23, and in situations where he is able to influence allocations and direct some to members, priority will be given in order of tiers.
When is the merch launching? We’re working on it. Members will hear first – and your discount will be live and waiting when it does.
How do the Maction Planet tour discounts work? The discount applies after three months of continuous membership at the relevant tier. It covers all Maction Planet tours. Email your booking request to info@mactionplanet.com and we can take things from there
What are the Pan-Japan Kanpai Planet tours? These are immersive, drinks-focused tours of Japan organised through Kanpai Planet – multi-day experiences visiting distilleries, breweries, bars and producers across the country. Upcoming tours are announced to members before the general public, with priority booking in tier order.
Still have a question? Get in touch directly at kanpaiplanet at gmail dot com. If it’s a good question, it’ll probably end up on this page!