Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

Made by Japan (craftinjapan.jp) is dedicated to showcasing Japan's traditional and contemporary crafts, artisan workshops, and cultural heritage products. From Arita porcelain and Wajima lacquerware to Nishijin textiles and Echizen washi paper, our platform connects visitors with the craftspeople and regions that define Japanese craftsmanship. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you explore crafts on our website.

By accessing Made by Japan, you agree to the data practices described below. If you do not consent to these practices, please discontinue use of the site.

1. Information We Collect

We collect a limited amount of data to help you discover Japanese crafts and artisans. Here is what we gather:

1.1 Local Storage Data

Made by Japanuses your browser's local storage to remember your craft exploration preferences. This data remains on your device and is never sent to our servers:

• Bookmarked Crafts: When you save a craft, workshop, or artisan page to your favorites, its identifier is stored locally for easy return access.
• Craft Category Preferences: Filters you apply for craft types (ceramics, textiles, woodwork, metalwork, lacquerware, papermaking, glasswork) are remembered across sessions.
• Regional Craft Interests: If you frequently explore crafts from a particular prefecture or region (e.g., Ishikawa for lacquerware, Saga for ceramics), those preferences are saved locally.
• Search History: Recent searches by craft type, region, artisan name, or cultural designation (National Treasure, Important Intangible Cultural Property) are cached for convenience.

1.2 Usage Data

When you visit Made by Japan, we automatically collect standard technical information:

• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Browser type, version, and language preference
• Device type and operating system
• Pages viewed, including specific craft, artisan, and workshop detail pages
• Time spent reading about craft techniques, artisan histories, and regional traditions
• Referral source that directed you to Made by Japan

1.3 Map and Location Data

Our interactive maps display the locations of artisan workshops, craft centers, and regional craft districts. If you allow your browser to share your location, approximate coordinates are passed to our mapping provider to show nearby craft destinations. We do not store your precise location on our servers.

1.4 User-Provided Data

When you use our contact form to suggest a craftsperson, report incorrect workshop information, or inquire about a craft tradition, we collect the data you voluntarily share, such as your email address, name, and message content.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for purposes specific to Made by Japan's craft discovery mission:

• Present craft listings, artisan profiles, and workshop locations tailored to your interests and region
• Maintain your bookmarked crafts, category filters, and regional preferences between visits
• Understand which craft categories, regions, and cultural designations are most explored to expand our coverage
• Ensure craft and artisan information is accurate, including workshop hours, visitor access, and exhibition schedules
• Process user-submitted corrections, artisan recommendations, and craft tradition inquiries
• Prevent unauthorized scraping or redistribution of our craft and artisan database
• Compile anonymized, aggregate data about interest in Japanese craft tourism across regions

3. Third-Party Services

Made by Japan relies on the following external services:

4. Cookies and Local Storage

The following storage mechanisms are used on Made by Japan:

• Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics uses cookies to measure how visitors browse craft categories, artisan pages, and regional guides. These have a maximum lifespan of 2 years.
• Local Storage — Bookmarks: Your saved crafts, artisans, and workshops are stored in browser local storage under unique keys. Data persists until you clear it.
• Local Storage — Craft Filters: Your preferred craft categories (e.g., pottery, lacquerware, indigo dyeing, bamboo weaving) and regional selections are saved locally.
• Local Storage — Search Cache: Recent craft and artisan searches are cached for quick re-access.

You can clear all local storage through your browser settings at any time. Disabling cookies affects our ability to measure site engagement but does not prevent you from browsing craft listings.

5. Cultural Heritage Data

Made by Japan includes information about crafts and artisans that hold official Japanese cultural designations, such as National Treasure (Kokuho), Important Intangible Cultural Property, and Intangible Cultural Heritage designations. This information is sourced from public records and cultural databases. We handle this data with respect for the cultural significance it represents, and we do not associate cultural heritage data with individual user profiles.

6. Data Retention

Our retention periods are as follows:

• Analytics data: Retained by Google Analytics for up to 14 months before automatic deletion or aggregation.
• Server logs: Kept for up to 30 days for operational and security purposes.
• Contact submissions: Stored for up to 12 months to handle artisan recommendations, workshop corrections, and related inquiries.
• Local storage data: Entirely under your control — persists on your device until you clear it.

7. Your Rights

Under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), you may have the right to:

• Access personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or outdated personal data
• Request deletion of your personal data
• Object to or restrict specific data processing
• Request a portable copy of your data
• Withdraw consent at any time where processing depends on consent
• Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority

Since Made by Japankeeps most personalization data in your browser's local storage, you have direct control. For server-side data requests, contact us at info@craftinjapan.jp.

8. International Data Transfers

Made by Japan is based in Japan with its primary database infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. Some third-party providers (Google Analytics, Vercel, Sentry) may process data in other countries. These services use Standard Contractual Clauses and equivalent safeguards to ensure that your data receives protection consistent with Japanese and EU privacy standards.

9. Children's Privacy

Made by Japan is an educational and informational resource about Japanese craftsmanship, suitable for a general audience. However, we do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under 16. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided personal information should contact info@craftinjapan.jp for prompt removal.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy as our platform evolves, new services are integrated, or privacy regulations change. Revisions will be indicated by an updated “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage those interested in Japanese craftsmanship to check this page periodically.

11. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy, data rights inquiries, or to suggest an artisan or craft for inclusion on Made by Japan, please contact us:

• Email: info@craftinjapan.jp
• Website: craftinjapan.jp

We aim to address all privacy-related matters within 30 days of receiving your inquiry.