Privacy Policy
Effective date: October 25, 2026
This policy explains what personal data Rural Japan Guides (https://ruraljapanguides.com) collects, why, and what choices you have. It describes how the site works today, and also what will happen if I add certain features later (section 6). I will revise this policy before any of those features goes live (see section 15).
In short: the site uses Google Analytics only if you click "Accept" on the cookie banner. It shows no advertising. Some guides contain affiliate links to Stay22, marked "(affiliate)"; the site does not load any Stay22 script. If you join the Akiya Letter, your email address is kept by my email provider, Kit.
1. Who runs this site
The data controller is Rural Japan Guides, an independent website based in Japan. Contact for privacy questions: [email protected]
2. What data is collected today
| Data | How it is collected | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Server logs | My hosting provider, Cloudflare, Inc. (Cloudflare Pages) | IP address, browser, time of request, page requested |
| Messages you send me | When you email me | Your email address, name (if given) and message |
| Email list (only if you sign up) | The Akiya Letter sign-up form, run by Kit | Your email address |
| Usage data (only with your consent) | Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager | Pages viewed, time on page, how far you scroll, which links and buttons you click (including links to other sites, affiliate links and the Akiya Letter sign-up button), approximate location, device and browser type, how you arrived |
I do not use advertising. Some guides contain affiliate links (see section 6). I do not knowingly collect sensitive data (such as health or religious information).
3. Why I use it, and the legal basis (UK/EU)
| Purpose | Data | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the site secure and working | Server logs | Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR / UK GDPR) |
| Reply to your messages and fix reported errors | Messages | Legitimate interest |
| Send the Akiya Letter you signed up for | Email list | Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) — you can unsubscribe at any time |
| Understand which pages are useful and improve them | Usage data | Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) — you can withdraw it at any time |
4. Analytics (only with your consent)
The site uses Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager, only after you consent:
- Analytics is off by default for all visitors, and a banner asks for your choice.
- Only if you click "Accept" does Google Analytics set its cookies and collect usage data (pages viewed, time on page, how far you scroll, which links and buttons you click (including links to other sites, affiliate links and the Akiya Letter sign-up button), approximate location, device and browser type, how you arrived). This includes Google Analytics' enhanced measurement, which records scrolling and clicks on links to other sites. Until then, Google Tag Manager is not loaded and no analytics data is sent. The legal basis is consent (Art. 6(1)(a)).
- You can change your choice at any time with "Cookie settings" at the bottom of every page. Choosing "Decline" stops analytics from then on: if analytics was already running, the page reloads without it.
- Your choice is saved in your browser's local storage so you are not asked on every page. It is not sent to me.
- Google signals and data sharing with Google are turned off.
- Google's handling of that data is described in Google's privacy policy and how Google uses data from sites that use its services.
5. The Akiya Letter (email list)
The Akiya Letter is a waiting list. It uses Kit as the email provider:
- I collect only your email address, only after you sign up yourself. The legal basis is consent.
- I email you once, when my akiya guides open, and nothing else. There is no separate confirmation email.
- Every email includes an unsubscribe link, and unsubscribing stops further emails.
- Kit processes the list on my behalf, under its own privacy policy.
6. Affiliate links
Some guides contain affiliate links to Stay22, which can send you on to a hotel booking site or to a tour and activity booking site such as GetYourGuide. A guide with these links says so in a line at the top, and each link is marked "(affiliate)".
- The site does not load any Stay22 script. Nothing is sent to Stay22 unless you click one of these links.
- When you click an affiliate link, you leave this site for Stay22 and then a booking site. They may record that the visit came from this site and whether a booking followed. I do not receive your name or payment details.
- Once you leave this site, the privacy policies of Stay22 and of the booking site apply, including any cookies they set (GetYourGuide, for example, uses cookies). See Stay22's privacy policy (affiliate) and GetYourGuide's privacy policy (affiliate).
7. Cookies and similar technologies
The site saves your cookie choice in your browser's local storage (key: site_consent). Google Analytics cookies (such as _ga) are set only after you click "Accept" (see section 4).
8. Who I share data with
I do not sell your personal information. Data is shared with:
- My hosting provider (Cloudflare, Inc. — Cloudflare Pages), which processes request data to deliver and protect the site.
- Google LLC (Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager), only if you consent to analytics.
- Kit (my email provider), only if you join the Akiya Letter.
- Stay22 (and the booking site it sends you to, such as a hotel booking site or GetYourGuide), only if you click an affiliate link.
- My email providers (Cloudflare Email Routing and Google), which deliver and store the emails you send to my contact address.
- Authorities, if required by law.
9. International transfers
I am based in Japan. My providers may process data in the United States and other countries. Where data leaves the UK or EU, I rely on adequacy decisions (the EU and UK recognize Japan as providing adequate protection), the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and its UK extension where the provider is certified, or standard contractual clauses.
10. How long I keep data
| Data | Retention |
|---|---|
| Server logs | I do not keep server logs myself. Cloudflare processes request data under its own privacy policy. |
| Emails you send me | Up to 2 years after my last reply, or until the issue is resolved |
| Email list | Until you unsubscribe or ask me to delete your address |
| Analytics data | 14 months in Google Analytics, then deleted automatically |
11. Your rights
UK and EU residents have the right to: access your data; correct it; delete it; restrict or object to processing; data portability; and withdraw consent at any time (this does not affect processing before withdrawal). You can also complain to your data protection authority — in the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk); in the EU, your local supervisory authority.
California residents (CCPA/CPRA) have the right to know what personal information I collect and how I use and disclose it, and to delete and correct it. I do not sell personal information, and the site does not currently show advertising. If that changes, I will update this policy and add the opt-out options required by law before the change takes effect.
Residents of other US states with similar laws may have comparable rights; contact me and I will respond in line with applicable law.
To use any right, email [email protected]. I may need to confirm your identity. I aim to reply within one month (45 days for California requests).
12. Children
This site is for adults planning travel. I do not knowingly collect data from children under 16. If you believe a child has sent me personal data, contact me and I will delete it.
13. Security
I use HTTPS and limit who can access the site's accounts. No website is completely secure, so please do not email me sensitive information.
14. Links to other sites
My guides link to transport operators, municipalities and other sites. I am not responsible for their privacy practices.
15. Changes to this policy
This policy reflects the site's current setup: analytics only with your consent, an optional email list, affiliate links to Stay22 marked "(affiliate)" (leading to hotel booking sites or to GetYourGuide for tours and activities), and no advertising. Before I add advertising or another affiliate partner, I will revise this policy and update the effective date above.
16. Contact
Rural Japan Guides — [email protected]