Privacy Policy

1. Our Approach to Privacy

We believe privacy is a fundamental right. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and what choices you have. We collect only what we need to provide you with great travel content and recommendations.

2. What Information We Collect

Information you provide directly:

• Email address (when subscribing to our newsletter)
• Name and message (when contacting us via our form)
• Trip planner selections (stored locally in your browser)

Information collected automatically:

• Pages visited and time spent on site
• Referring website
• Browser type and device information
• Approximate location (country/city level)

3. How We Use Your Information

• Send newsletter updates (only with your explicit consent)
• Respond to inquiries
• Improve our content and website experience
• Analyze which destinations and articles are most popular
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Newsletter Subscriptions

Our newsletter requires explicit opt-in consent via a checkbox (GDPR compliant). You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email. We use your email address only for the newsletter — never sold or shared with third parties.

5. Affiliate Links and Third Parties

Some pages contain affiliate links to booking partners (hotels, tours). When you click these links, the partner may set a cookie to track the referral. We earn a commission if you make a booking — at no extra cost to you. These partners have their own privacy policies.

We do not share your personal information with affiliate partners. They only see that a visitor from our site made a booking.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use:

• Necessary cookies: For site functionality (cookie consent preference, trip planner data)
• Analytics cookies: To understand how visitors use our site (only with your consent)

See our Cookie Policy for details on managing preferences.

7. Your Data Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate data
• Delete your data
• Withdraw consent (for newsletter)
• Object to processing
• Request data portability

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@hokkaidoways.com. We respond within 30 days.

8. How Long We Keep Data

• Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
• Contact form submissions: 2 years
• Analytics data: 26 months (then anonymized)

9. Children's Privacy

Our site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children.

10. International Data Transfers

Hokkaido Ways LLC is based in the United States. Your data is stored on servers in the US. If you access our site from outside the US, you consent to this transfer. We comply with GDPR for EU visitors and CCPA for California residents.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date.

12. Contact Our Privacy Team

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights:
Email: privacy@hokkaidoways.com
Address: Hokkaido Ways LLC, 1910 Fairview Ave E, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98102