Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

Last Updated: January 2025

Introduction

Yokohama Private Tours ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or make a booking with us.

By using our website or services, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. We encourage you to read this Privacy Policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your personal data.

Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us and information that is automatically collected when you use our services.

Information You Provide to Us

When you make a booking or interact with our services, we may collect:

  • Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, phone number, and other contact details
  • Booking Information: Tour date, number of guests, vehicle preferences, pickup location, special requests, and dietary restrictions
  • Payment Information: Credit card details are processed securely through our payment processor (Stripe) and are not stored on our servers
  • Communication Records: Correspondence, feedback, and any other information you choose to provide

Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns:

  • Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, and navigation paths
  • Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and analyze website traffic

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Service Delivery

  • Process and confirm your bookings
  • Communicate with you about your tour, including confirmations, updates, and reminders
  • Coordinate pickup and drop-off arrangements
  • Fulfill special requests and accommodate preferences
  • Provide customer support and respond to inquiries

Business Operations

  • Process payments and manage financial transactions
  • Maintain booking records and manage our database
  • Improve our services and website functionality
  • Conduct analytics and research to enhance user experience
  • Ensure compliance with legal obligations

Communication

  • Send booking confirmations and important updates
  • Respond to your questions and requests
  • Send service-related communications (with your consent, we may also send promotional materials)
  • Notify you of changes to our services or policies

Legal Compliance

  • Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
  • Respond to legal requests and protect our rights
  • Prevent fraud, abuse, and other illegal activities
  • Enforce our Terms and Conditions

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business and providing services to you:

  • Payment Processors: We use Stripe to process payments. Stripe handles payment information according to their privacy policy and PCI-DSS compliance standards.
  • Hosting and Technology Services: Service providers who host our website and provide technical infrastructure
  • Communication Services: Email service providers for sending confirmations and updates

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid legal requests, such as:

  • Court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes
  • Government or regulatory requests
  • To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our customers or others
  • In connection with a business transfer, merger, or acquisition

With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.

Important: We do not share your personal information with tour operators, guides, or drivers beyond what is necessary to provide the booked service. Guides and drivers receive only the information needed for your tour (name, contact number, pickup location, and special requests).

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security measures include:

  • Encryption: We use industry-standard encryption (SSL/TLS) to protect data transmitted between your browser and our servers
  • Secure Payment Processing: All payment information is processed through Stripe, which is PCI-DSS compliant and uses advanced encryption
  • Access Controls: We limit access to personal information to authorized employees and service providers who need it to perform their duties
  • Regular Security Updates: We regularly update our systems and software to address security vulnerabilities
  • Secure Storage: Personal information is stored on secure servers with appropriate access controls

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and understand user preferences. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website.

Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly, including session management and security
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website, allowing us to improve functionality and user experience
  • Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings to provide a personalized experience

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website and your ability to use certain features.

Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding your personal information, which may vary depending on your location. These rights may include:

Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to receive a copy of that information in a portable format.

Correction

You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we have about you.

Deletion

You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal and operational requirements. We may need to retain some information for legal, accounting, or business purposes.

Opt-Out

You can opt-out of receiving promotional communications from us by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or by contacting us directly. Please note that you may still receive service-related communications necessary for your bookings.

Data Processing Objection

You have the right to object to certain types of data processing, such as processing for direct marketing purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable laws.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Factors we consider when determining retention periods include:

  • The nature and sensitivity of the information
  • The purposes for which we collected the information
  • Legal, regulatory, and business requirements
  • The potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure

When personal information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. When we transfer your information internationally, we take appropriate measures to ensure that your information receives an adequate level of protection.

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, including the United States and Japan, where our service providers may be located.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

  • Posting the updated Privacy Policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
  • Sending you an email notification if the changes are significant
  • Displaying a prominent notice on our website

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Yokohama Private Tours

We are committed to addressing your privacy concerns and will respond to your inquiries in a timely manner.

Your Privacy Matters: We take your privacy seriously and are committed to protecting your personal information. If you have any concerns about how we handle your data, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

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