Privacy policy (Japan – APPI)

This privacy policy covers the app Kokoro Japan Guide and this website and is based on the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI).

1. Business operator

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E-mail: app@sakuraharawerk.jp

2. The app in short

• No account, no advertising, no tracking. Kokoro Japan Guide contains no analytics or advertising software. We, the operator, do not receive your saved places, notes or your location.
• Your places stay with you. They are stored on your device. If you switch on iCloud sync (optional, "Sign in with Apple"), they are stored in your own private iCloud container. Apple processes this data under its own privacy policy; we cannot see it.
• Location. Your location is used on your device only, to show distances and guide you to a place. It is not sent to us.
• Reading map links. When you save a place from a map link, the app contacts the map provider (for example Google or Apple) to read the place details. That provider receives your IP address and the link.
• Maps and routes. Maps, routing and address search use Apple services (MapKit). Navigation can also be handed over to the Google Maps app if you choose so.
• Translation of Japanese names happens on your device (Apple Translation framework).
• Apple Watch, Share extension and Safari extension exchange data only between your own devices (App Group, iCloud). Places you send from Safari are kept temporarily in your iCloud key-value storage until the app imports them.

3. This website

• Server log files. When you visit, the server processes your IP address, the time, the requested page and browser information to deliver the page and keep it secure. Log files are deleted after a short period set by the hosting provider. Hosting: ,.
• Cookies. Only strictly necessary cookies are used by default (see the cookie page). Optional cookies are only used with your consent.
• Legal version by region. To show you the matching legal texts (Japan or EU) we compare your IP address with a list of Japanese address ranges stored on our own server. Your IP address is not passed on to third parties for this purpose. You can switch the version at any time.

4. Support requests (tickets)

If you contact us through the support form we process your e-mail address, your name (optional), your message and photos you upload (location data in photos is removed) to answer your request. You receive a private link to your request. Anyone who has this link can read and write in the request, so please do not share it. Closed requests are deleted automatically after 365 days. You can ask us to delete a request earlier. Our e-mails are sent through our mail provider.

5. Recipients

• Hosting provider: , (processes data on our behalf).
• Our e-mail provider (sending notifications).
• Apple (App Store, iCloud, MapKit) and the map providers whose links you open – for the app functions described above, under their own privacy policies.

6. Purposes of use

We use personal information only for these purposes: (1) answering inquiries and support requests, (2) operating and securing the website, (3) improving the app and website based on inquiries, and (4) complying with laws. We do not use personal information for other purposes without your consent.

7. Provision to third parties and outsourcing

We do not provide personal data to third parties without your consent, except where required by law. We entrust the operation of the website and e-mail sending to the providers named above, and we supervise them as required.

8. Transfer to third parties in foreign countries

Our hosting provider (,) may store data in a country other than Japan. Personal data from the support form is therefore processed outside Japan. The relevant data protection systems differ from Japan's; we select providers that apply appropriate protective measures. Further information is available on request.

9. Security management measures

We protect data with access control, encrypted connections (HTTPS), restricted administrator access and automatic deletion of closed support requests after 365 days.

10. Cookies and external transmission

This website uses only cookies necessary for basic functions (forms, language). It does not send visitor information to third parties for advertising or analytics unless you consent to optional functions.

11. Requests for disclosure, correction and suspension of use

You may request disclosure, correction, addition, deletion or suspension of use of your personal data that we hold. Please contact us at app@sakuraharawerk.jp or via the support form (topic "Privacy request"). We will confirm your identity and respond without delay.

12. Changes

We may update this policy. Last update: 2026-11-05.

Last updated: 2026-11-05