Last updated: January 2026
Sora Cast Media LLC operates this website. We're based in Austin, Texas, and we take your privacy seriously. Not because we have to (though we do), but because we believe that collecting as little data as possible is the right thing to do. We're a small team, and we don't have the resources or the desire to build detailed profiles of our readers. Here's exactly what we collect and why. We want you to understand our practices so you can make informed decisions about using our site.
What We Collect
Contact form submissions. If you fill out our contact form, we collect your name, email address, topic selection, and message. This information is sent to our email inbox. We don't store it in a database. We don't add you to a mailing list. We read your message, reply if necessary, and keep the email for our records in case we need to refer back to it. That's it. We don't analyze the content of your messages. We don't share them with anyone. They sit in our email archive until we delete them or you ask us to remove them.
Cookie preferences. When you interact with our cookie banner, we store your preference in your browser's local storage. This is a technical detail, not personal data. It means "this person said no to analytics cookies" or "this person said yes." We can't identify you from this information, and we don't try to. We literally cannot see what's in your browser's local storage. It's between you and your browser.
Analytics data (with your permission). If you click "Sure" on our cookie banner or enable "Reading Stats" in the settings, we collect basic analytics about which pages you visit and how long you stay. This helps us understand which neighborhood guides are popular and which ones need work. We use this data in aggregate form only. We don't track individual users across sessions, and we don't build profiles of reader behavior. We look at numbers like "the Shimokitazawa guide got 500 views this month" not "Alex from Austin visited the Shimokitazawa guide three times."
What We Don't Collect
We don't collect your IP address for any purpose other than what our hosting provider does automatically as part of server logs. We don't use fingerprinting or any other technique to identify you without cookies. We don't ask for your location, your age, your interests, or any other personal information. We don't have user accounts, login systems, or member areas. You can read every page on this site without telling us anything about yourself.
We don't use Google Analytics. We don't use Facebook Pixel. We don't embed social media widgets that track you. We don't have advertising on the site, so there are no ad networks collecting data about your browsing habits. The site is intentionally minimal in its data collection because that's how we think the web should work. You shouldn't have to trade your personal information to read about where to eat yakitori in Tokyo.
Cookies We Use
Essential cookies. These are necessary for the site to function. They remember your cookie preference so we don't show you the banner on every visit. Without these, the cookie banner would appear every time you load a page, which would be annoying for everyone. These cookies are always on and cannot be disabled, because disabling them would create a paradox where we have to show you the cookie banner to ask if you want cookies, which requires cookies to remember your answer.
Reading Stats cookies. These are optional and off by default. If you enable them, we collect anonymous data about page views and time on page. This helps us understand which content resonates with readers. We use this information to decide which neighborhoods to cover next and which guides need updating. You can enable or disable these at any time through the cookie settings.
Partner Links cookies. These are also optional and off by default. If you click a link to a partner site (such as a hotel booking site or rail pass vendor), a cookie may track that you came from Sora Cast. This is how affiliate marketing works. We only earn commission if you make a purchase after clicking our link. These cookies expire after a standard period set by the partner site. You can enable or disable these independently of the Reading Stats cookies.
How We Use Your Data
We use contact form submissions to respond to your questions, note your corrections, and consider your collaboration proposals. We don't share this information with anyone outside our team. We don't sell it. We don't use it for marketing. If you send us a tip about a great bar in Shimokitazawa, we'll probably check it out and might mention it in a future update. We'll credit you if we do. If you send us a correction, we'll fix the error and list you on our corrections page if you want.
Analytics data is used to improve our content. If we see that a lot of people are reading our Golden Gai guide, we know that topic is interesting to our audience. If a page has a high bounce rate, we look at whether the content needs improvement. This is standard editorial practice, and we do it with aggregated data only. We never look at individual user behavior. We wouldn't know how even if we wanted to.
Third Parties
Our hosting provider processes server logs as part of normal operations. These logs include your IP address, browser type, and pages visited. We don't have direct access to these logs, and we don't request them. Our hosting provider has its own privacy policy, which you can review on their website. They are a reputable company with standard security practices.
We don't share your data with any other third parties. We don't use third-party analytics services. We don't have advertising partners who would receive your information. The only exception is if we're legally required to disclose information, which has never happened and seems unlikely given the minimal data we collect. We're not running a criminal enterprise here. We're writing about Japan.
Your Rights
Under various privacy laws including GDPR and CCPA, you have rights regarding your personal data. Since we collect very little personal data, exercising these rights is straightforward. You can request to see what data we have about you, request that we delete it, or request that we stop processing it. Given how little we collect, the answer is usually "we don't have anything." But we're happy to confirm that formally if you need us to.
To exercise any of these rights, or if you have questions about our data practices, email us at hey@soracast-jp.com. We'll respond within 30 days. We're a small team, so it might take a few days, but we'll get to it. We take these requests seriously even when the answer is "we don't have any data about you."
Data Retention
Contact form submissions (delivered via email) are kept in our email archives indefinitely, unless you ask us to delete them. We keep them because sometimes people write back months later referencing a previous conversation, and it's helpful to have context. If you want your emails deleted, just ask. We'll confirm the deletion and won't keep any copies.
Cookie preferences are stored in your browser and remain until you clear your browser data or change your preference. Analytics data is retained for as long as our hosting provider keeps server logs, which varies but is typically less than a year. We don't maintain long-term archives of analytics data because we don't need them. We look at recent trends, not historical patterns.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we'll note the update date at the top of this page. We won't email you about changes because we don't collect email addresses from general visitors. Check this page periodically if you're concerned about our data practices. The date at the top will tell you when it was last updated.
International Visitors
Our website is hosted in the United States, and our data practices are governed by US law. If you are visiting our site from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using our site, you consent to this transfer. We do not specifically target users in any particular country or region, and our content is intended for English-speaking audiences interested in Japan travel.
Contact
If you have questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, contact us at:
Sora Cast Media LLC
1100 Congress Ave
Austin, Texas 78701
USA