Preferences
Cookie Policy
Last updated: September 27, 2026
This page lists every cookie and tracking technology Japan Ryokan Guide uses, what it is used for, and how long it persists. You can change your preferences at any time using the Cookie settings link below.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small piece of data stored in your browser. Some are strictly necessary for the site to work. Others help us understand how readers use the site or track affiliate referrals. We also use localStorage and sessionStorage entries — they behave like cookies but are scoped to a single browser.
Essential cookies and storage
These cannot be disabled. They are required for the site to function:
- Selected language (so every page renders in your locale).
- Recently viewed ryokans (so the Recently Viewed shelf can render without a full database trip).
- Booking dates and guest count from the homepage search (so the booking widget on the detail page pre-fills correctly).
Analytics cookies
Analytics cookies stay off until you accept them. Before you choose, Google Analytics 4 may receive cookieless signals about page views and link-hub actions. Rejecting analytics disables further GA4 measurement. Other analytics vendors remain off until you consent. You can change each vendor below.
Vercel Analytics
Anonymous page-view counts and Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, INP) so we can monitor site performance. No cookies; no cross-site tracking.
Retained 30 days, anonymized at collection.
Learn more→Microsoft Clarity
Session replay and heatmaps. Helps us see where readers get stuck so we can improve the navigation. Replays mask all text inputs.
Retained 90 days. Provided by Microsoft.
Learn more→Google Analytics 4
Aggregated visitor counts, traffic sources, and conversion funnels. IP anonymization enabled.
Retained 14 months.
Learn more→Sentry
Error reporting so we can detect and fix bugs that affect your stay search or booking. Errors are submitted with browser, OS, and page URL — no inputs, no PII.
Retained 90 days. Provided by Sentry.
Learn more→Marketing & affiliate cookies
When you click an affiliate booking button (Agoda, Booking.com, Trip.com), we append a sub-ID to the destination URL so the partner can attribute the referral to us. No cookies are set on this site — the sub-ID is submitted only at click time. You can still disable affiliate tracking entirely with the toggle below.
Trip.com
When you click a Book on Trip.com button, we append an affiliate sub-ID so Trip.com can attribute the referral to us. No cookies set on this site.
Sub-ID submitted only at click time.
Learn more→Agoda / Booking.com / Trip.com (via Travelpayouts)
Our hotel links route through Travelpayouts (tp.media), which attaches our affiliate ID during the redirect so the booking platform can attribute the referral to us. No cookies are set on this site. If you have allowed marketing cookies, we also keep the short code of the last article you read in this tab (for up to 30 minutes, in session storage) and add it to that sub-ID when you book from a ryokan page, so we can tell which guide helped. No name, email or other personal data is stored.
Conversion ID submitted only at click time.
Learn more→Your rights
Under GDPR (EU), CNIL (France), and PIPA (South Korea), you have the right to withdraw consent at any time, request a copy of any data we hold, and request deletion. We do not sell personal data. For requests, contact privacy@japanryokanguide.com.
Withdraw or change consent
You can withdraw or change your consent at any time. Click below to re-open the cookie preferences dialog: