HONTABI

Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 20, 2026

UNION LLC ("we," "us," or "our") operates the "HONTABI" application ("App"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you use the App.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following information:

Account information: email address and display name (when you sign in with Google or Apple).
Location information: used to display nearby literary pilgrimage spots and books, and to enable check-ins at locations featured in works of literature. Collected only with your explicit permission.
Reading and pilgrimage data: books you want to read, books you have finished, and spots you have visited.
Device information: minimal information such as OS and language settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

To provide and improve the App and its features;
To save and synchronize your reading and travel records;
To recommend books and spots based on your location;
To prevent fraud or abuse.

3. Disclosure to Third Parties

We do not disclose your personal information to third parties except in the following cases:

When we have obtained your consent;
When required by law;
When sharing with service providers necessary to operate the App (such as cloud infrastructure providers including Google Firebase).

4. External Services

The App uses the following external services. Information shared with these services is handled in accordance with each provider's privacy policy.

Google Firebase (authentication, database, hosting): Firebase Privacy Policy
OpenStreetMap (map display): OSM Privacy Policy
Amazon / Rakuten Books / Rakuten Travel (external links to book purchases and accommodation bookings)

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies

On the Web version of the App, we use Cookies and Local Storage to maintain your authentication state. These are strictly necessary to provide the App's functionality and are not used for advertising or cross-site tracking. The Firebase Hosting pages on which this site is served do not set tracking cookies, so a cookie consent flow is not currently required.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account information and reading or pilgrimage data for as long as you continue to use the App. If you wish to delete your account, please contact us using the form below.

7. Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.

8. Your Rights (Including Users in the EU/EEA and UK)

If you reside in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or another jurisdiction with comparable data protection laws (such as the GDPR), you have the following rights with respect to your personal data:

Right of access: you may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to rectification: you may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten"): you may request that we delete your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions.
Right to restrict processing: you may request that we limit the way we use your data.
Right to data portability: you may request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format, and to transmit it to another controller.
Right to object: you may object to processing based on our legitimate interests.
Right to withdraw consent: where we rely on your consent, you may withdraw it at any time.
Right to lodge a complaint: you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

The legal basis for processing your personal data is, depending on the context: your consent, the performance of a contract with you, our legitimate interests in operating and improving the App, or compliance with a legal obligation. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the form below.

9. International Data Transfers

Your data may be processed and stored on servers operated by Google Firebase and located outside your country of residence (including, but not limited to, the asia-northeast1 region in Tokyo, Japan). Where required, such transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the App.

11. Contact Us

Operator: UNION LLC
For privacy-related inquiries, please use our contact form.

12. Language

This Privacy Policy is provided in English for the convenience of international users. In the event of any inconsistency between the English version and the Japanese version, the Japanese version shall prevail.