Kataban
Privacy
Kataban doesn't require an account and doesn't collect personal information beyond what's described below.
Analytics
The search tool (the home page) uses Google Analytics 4 to count visits and to see what people search for. When you type a search, the text you typed and the number of results are sent to Google Analytics about a second after you stop typing. Google Analytics also records the page address (which can include a search, such as ?q=SLPS-02040), your approximate location, and your device and browser type. Blog posts and this page don't load Google Analytics.
If you scan a barcode that isn't in the catalog, the barcode number, whether Rakuten knew it, and which game we matched (if any) are sent to Google Analytics, so we can add missing games. Barcodes that are already in the catalog aren't sent. Kataban doesn't send your name, email address, or the contents of My List. Please don't type personal information into the search box.
When you use the barcode scanner, Google Analytics also receives how you opened it (the button, a direct link, or a link from one of our articles), whether the camera started (and, if not, the browser's error name), which decoder was used, whether you scanned or typed the number, and how many games it matched. The barcode number itself is only sent when it isn't in the catalog, as described above. No personal information is sent.
To opt out, block cookies or scripts from Google Analytics in your browser's settings, or install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. See how Google uses information from sites that use its services.
Advertising
Kataban runs Google Ads campaigns and uses Google's conversion tracking tag on the search tool page, which may set cookies to measure ad performance. See Google's Privacy Policy.
Embedded maps
Some blog posts embed Google Maps to show walking routes. Loading these maps sends a request to Google and may set cookies, subject to Google's Privacy Policy linked above.
Fonts
This site loads fonts from Google Fonts, which may log IP addresses as part of serving font files.
Product photos and prices
When a search result has a barcode number (JAN) on record, your browser asks Rakuten's product search service about that barcode to show a product photo and the "Used on Rakuten" price guide, and loads the photo from Rakuten's servers. When you scan a barcode that isn't in the catalog, your browser also asks Rakuten about that barcode and uses the product names it returns to suggest which game it might be. These requests contain the barcode number, not anything about you, but like any web request they show Rakuten your IP address and the page it came from. See Rakuten's privacy policy.
Barcode scanner
The camera is used only while the scanner is open, and the video is processed on your device — nothing is uploaded. On browsers without a built-in barcode reader (such as Safari on iPhone), the scanner uses a reader library served from this site, saved with the page so it works without a signal.
Stored on your device
Kataban saves a few settings in your browser — whether you're shopping in or outside Japan, the blog language you chose, and your My List — plus a copy of the search page so it opens without a signal. These stay on your device. Clearing this site's data in your browser removes them.
Affiliate links
Kataban earns a commission on some purchases made through links to Rakuten, Suruga-ya, Buyee (via Indoleads), eBay (via the eBay Partner Network), and Klook. Nothing is sent to these services until you click a link. They may then set their own tracking cookies — see each service's own privacy policy for details.
Questions
This page describes what's in use as of the date below. It isn't legal advice, and Kataban may update it as the site changes.