Privacy policy

Last updated: 27 September 2026

This explains how BenStay LLC ("we") handles personal information in NOMIMICHI — the website at kobe.bentours.jp and the iPhone app "NOMIMICHI" — in line with Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI).

Using the guide without signing in

• We collect no account information.
• The website counts page views per page, with nothing that identifies you, and uses Google Analytics (which sets cookies, under Google's policies).
• The app has no analytics, advertising or tracking of any kind.
• The app's "near me" feature uses your location on your phone only, to work out distances. It is never sent to us.
• Saved spots and hidden contributors are stored only on your device (or in a browser cookie).

Signing in to add photos

• What we keep: the account ID from the sign-in method you used; your email address (for Apple, Google and email sign-in; for LINE and X only if they provide it); the name you choose to be credited with; the photos you add and their review status.
• Photos: all metadata, including GPS location, is stripped when you upload.
• Why: to sign you in, credit your photos, review and manage contributions, prevent abuse, and email sign-in links.
• Limits: we use IP addresses briefly to enforce rate limits; for photo reports we store only a salted hash of the IP.

Who we share it with

• Sakura Internet (Japan): hosting
• Amazon Web Services (SES): sending sign-in emails
• Google (Gemini API): automated pre-screening of uploaded photos (only the photo and the venue name are sent)
• Slack: internal alerts about new photos and reports (credit name and venue)
• Apple, Google, LINE, X: signing you in with them

Some of these providers process data outside Japan. We don't sell personal information or give it to anyone else except where the law requires.

Keeping and deleting

Delete your account any time from your account page (in the app: Settings → Account). That removes your sign-in identities, email, credit name and any photos still waiting for review. Photos already live stay up, credited to "former contributor", as the terms explain. Photos that aren't approved are deleted within 30 days.

Contact

For requests to see, correct or delete your information, or any question: info@benstay.jp
BenStay LLC