Cookie Policy

Understanding Cookies and Similar Technologies

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how Michi Cultural Walks uses them on our website, and the choices you have regarding cookie usage. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this policy and your preferences.

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and deliver information to website operators about visitor behavior and preferences.

Types of Cookies We Use

We categorize cookies based on their purpose and who controls them. Our website uses the following types of cookies:

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They enable basic functions like page navigation, secure areas access, and form submission. Without these cookies, our website cannot provide certain services you request. These cookies do not require your consent as they are technically necessary.

Performance and Analytics Cookies: These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous information about pages visited, time spent on pages, and any errors encountered. This data helps us improve website performance and user experience.

Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as language preference or region) and provide enhanced, personalized features. They may also be used to provide services you have requested, such as saving your tour preferences.

Targeting and Advertising Cookies: These cookies track your browsing activity across websites and are used to deliver advertisements relevant to your interests. They may be set by our advertising partners and can build a profile of your interests to show you relevant ads on other websites.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-Party Cookies: These are cookies set directly by Michi Cultural Walks on your device. We use first-party cookies to remember your preferences, facilitate booking processes, and collect analytics data about site usage.

Third-Party Cookies: These are cookies set by domains other than our website. Third parties include analytics services (such as Google Analytics), payment processors, social media platforms, and advertising networks. These cookies are subject to the privacy policies of the respective third parties.

Session and Persistent Cookies

Session Cookies: These temporary cookies exist only while you browse our website and are deleted when you close your browser. They help us maintain your session state, track items in your booking cart, and remember information you enter across multiple pages.

Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. They remember your login information, language preferences, and other settings for future visits, providing a more seamless experience.

Specific Cookies We Deploy

Below are examples of specific cookies used on our website:

Essential Cookies: Session ID cookies maintain your browsing session; security tokens protect against cross-site request forgery; load balancing cookies distribute traffic efficiently across servers; and consent preference cookies remember your cookie choices.

Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _gid) track visitor behavior and generate statistical reports; heat map cookies record how users interact with page elements; and conversion tracking cookies measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.

Functionality Cookies: Language preference cookies store your selected language; region cookies remember your location for relevant tour recommendations; and user preference cookies save customization options you select.

Advertising Cookies: Retargeting cookies enable us to show you relevant ads after you leave our site; frequency capping cookies limit how often you see the same ad; and attribution cookies help us understand which marketing channels drive bookings.

Third-Party Services and Cookies

We work with trusted third-party service providers who may set cookies on your device when you use our website:

Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information such as pages visited, time spent on site, and referral sources. This information helps us improve our website and services.

Payment Processors: When you make a booking, our payment processing partners may use cookies to facilitate secure transactions and prevent fraud.

Social Media Platforms: Social media buttons and plugins may set cookies to track whether you are logged in to their services and to personalize content and advertisements.

Advertising Networks: Third-party advertising companies may use cookies to deliver targeted advertisements based on your browsing history and interests.

How to Manage Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options to control and manage cookies on our website:

Cookie Banner: When you first visit our website, a cookie banner appears giving you the option to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by accessing the cookie settings in our website footer.

Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse all cookies, accept only certain cookies, or notify you when a cookie is being sent. Note that blocking essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of our website.

Opt-Out Tools: You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. For targeted advertising, you can visit the Digital Advertising Alliance or Network Advertising Initiative opt-out pages.

Mobile Device Settings: Mobile devices offer settings to limit ad tracking and manage app permissions. Consult your device manufacturer's instructions for details on managing these settings.

Browser-Specific Cookie Management

Instructions for managing cookies in popular web browsers:

Google Chrome: Go to Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data. You can block all cookies, allow all cookies, or block third-party cookies in incognito mode.

Mozilla Firefox: Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data. You can delete existing cookies, block future cookies, or allow only certain websites to use cookies.

Safari: Go to Preferences → Privacy. You can prevent all cookies, allow cookies only from websites you visit, or always allow cookies.

Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings → Cookies and site permissions. You can manage and delete cookies and choose whether to block third-party cookies.

Consequences of Disabling Cookies

While you have the right to control cookie usage, disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on our website:

Disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent basic website functionality, including booking tours, accessing your account, and securely submitting forms. Disabling functionality cookies means you will need to re-enter preferences each visit, and the website may not remember your language or region settings.

Disabling analytics cookies will not affect your browsing experience, but it prevents us from collecting data to improve our website and services. Disabling advertising cookies means you may still see advertisements, but they will be less relevant to your interests.

Web Beacons and Pixel Tags

In addition to cookies, we use web beacons (also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs) to collect information about your interaction with our website and emails. Web beacons are small graphic images embedded in web pages or emails that work in conjunction with cookies.

We use web beacons to track email open rates, determine which links in our emails are clicked, measure the effectiveness of our communications, and understand user engagement with our content. Web beacons collect limited information such as cookie numbers, time and date of page view, and a description of the page containing the beacon.

Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites you visit that you do not want your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

At this time, our website does not respond to DNT browser signals or other mechanisms that provide the ability to exercise choice regarding collection of personally identifiable information about your online activities over time and across third-party websites. We will continue to monitor developments in this area and may adjust our policy as standards emerge.

Cookie Retention Periods

Different cookies have different retention periods:

Session Cookies: Deleted immediately when you close your browser.

Short-Term Cookies: Expire within 24 hours to 30 days, typically used for functionality and user preferences.

Medium-Term Cookies: Expire within 6 months to 1 year, commonly used for analytics and advertising purposes.

Long-Term Cookies: May persist for up to 2 years, used for persistent login sessions and long-term user identification.

You can delete cookies at any time through your browser settings, regardless of their expiration date.

Children's Privacy and Cookies

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect information from children through cookies. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided information through cookies on our website, please contact us immediately so we can delete the information.

Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in cookie usage, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will notify you by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and, where appropriate, by displaying a prominent notice on our website.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about how we use cookies and how you can protect your privacy.

Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

Email: privacy@malrenbrook.com

Phone: +81 4-3271-7252

Mail: Michi Cultural Walks
4 Chome-10-2 Hanazono, Hanamigawa Ward, Chiba, 262-0025, Japan

Additional Resources

For more information about cookies and how to manage them, you may find these resources helpful:

All About Cookies (www.allaboutcookies.org) provides comprehensive information about cookies and how to control them across different browsers and devices. The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) offers guidance on behavioral advertising and opt-out options. Your browser's help section typically includes detailed instructions on cookie management specific to that browser.