This privacy policy explains what personal data Engawa collects, why we collect it, how long we keep it, and the choices you have. Engawa is a small product run by its founders. We do not sell personal data, and we do not run advertising trackers on the site.

Who we are

Engawa operates the website at engawa.house (and staging.engawa.house for testing). For privacy questions, email [email protected].

What we collect

Information you send us. When you save a home, ask a question, or send an enquiry, you may give us a name, email address, message text, and the listing you are asking about. We use that only to reply and to improve how we help buyers.

Technical logs. Like most websites, our servers receive your IP address, browser type, and the pages you request. We keep access logs long enough to keep the service secure and debug failures, then drop them.

Wishlist saves on your device. The list of homes you heart is stored in your browser (localStorage). That list does not leave your device unless you also trigger a save that records anonymous interest counts on our server.

Language preference. Your language toggle is stored in your browser so the site can remember English or Japanese.

Cookies and similar storage

We do not use third-party advertising cookies. We use essential storage only: language preference, wishlist ids, and any session needed to keep the site working. See our Cookies page for detail.

How we use data

  • To answer enquiries and route them to our Japan partner when you ask us to.
  • To count interest on listings (how many people saved a home), without showing your identity publicly.
  • To operate, secure, and improve the catalogue and content.
  • To comply with law if we are required to.

Legal bases (UK GDPR / GDPR)

Where those laws apply, we rely on: contract / steps at your request (replying to an enquiry), legitimate interests (running a secure website, understanding aggregate product use), and consent where we ask for it (for example optional marketing, if we ever offer it).

Sharing

We share personal data only when needed:

  • Email and hosting providers that process data on our instructions.
  • Our Japan partner when you ask for buying help and we introduce you.
  • Authorities if the law requires it.

We do not sell personal data.

International transfers

Our founders and some infrastructure may process data in the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area, or Japan. Where transfers need safeguards, we use appropriate contractual measures.

Retention

Enquiry messages are kept while they are useful for the conversation and our records, then deleted or anonymised. Server logs are rotated on a short cycle. Wishlist data on your device stays until you clear it.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict processing of your personal data, and to object or complain to a regulator (for example the UK ICO). Email [email protected] and we will respond.

Children

Engawa is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect their data.

Changes

We will update this page when our practices change and revise the "updated" date above.