Editorial Policy｜Wakayama Foodie
Wakayama Foodie, an editorial inbound-tourism media dedicated to the food and travel of Wakayama Prefecture, produces its articles in accordance with the editorial policy outlined below. To allow our readers to use our information with confidence, we set out our core principles, editorial structure, and correction policy.
1. Core Editorial Principles
1.1 Primary-Source Approach
We always reference primary materials—official tourism association websites, official venue websites, government notices, and industry bodies (such as the Michelin Guide, Hyaku-Meiten, and certified-association recognitions)—before publishing an article. We do not publish articles based solely on hearsay, second-hand accounts, or unverified social media posts.
1.2 Citation Transparency
Each article links to the public materials, official venue websites, and SNS posts it references. When we cite information from social media (especially Instagram), we present it through quote blocks or official embeds so that the source is clearly visible.
1.3 Regional Perspective
We do not simply report what has happened; we explain “what is changing in which area or which venue within Wakayama.” We strive to clarify the specific characteristics of each of the five areas—Wakayama City, Arida & Gobo, Shirahama & Kushimoto, Kumano & Nachi, and Mt. Koya—as well as of each genre, including ramen, regional cuisine, sushi, and cafés.
1.4 Distinguishing Fact from Inference
We clearly distinguish between confirmed facts and unconfirmed, inferred, or projected information. Unconfirmed items are accompanied by notes such as “(to be verified)” or “expected”, to avoid creating misleading impressions. For information subject to change, such as prices and operating hours, we note the date of the most recent verification.
1.5 Fairness and Neutrality
We do not publish articles that show undue bias toward particular venues, attractions, or affiliated organizations. Sponsored and promotional articles are clearly indicated as described below.
1.6 Quality of Multilingual Editing
Operating in 10 languages in parallel, we do not publish raw machine translations. Articles are released only after careful translation by our editorial team, in line with the cultural context and conventions of each language. Expression may differ across language editions, but factual consistency is preserved.
2. Editorial and Review Structure
The editorial team at Nodokaya Inc. writes and edits the articles. Where appropriate, we seek input from external food and tourism practitioners, venue representatives, or relevant government departments before publication.
3. Correction and Update Policy
When factual errors or outdated information (such as changes in operating hours or closures) come to our attention, we correct them promptly. When significant changes are made to an article, we indicate them at the foot of the article as “Last updated” or “Addendum”. We welcome reader feedback through our Inquiry Form at any time.
Prices, operating hours, and similar details reflect the information available at the time of writing. We recommend confirming with each venue’s or facility’s official channels before visiting.
4. Use of AI and Automation Tools
To improve editorial efficiency, we use generative-AI tools at the drafting stage and during multilingual translation. However, final fact-checking, source verification, and cultural-appropriateness review for each language are always performed by human editors. We do not publish AI-generated text without human review.
5. Allergens and Religious Dietary Restrictions
In each article, we make every effort to indicate, where possible, allergen information (the seven specified ingredients under Japanese law) and the availability of halal, vegetarian, and vegan options. However, the situation at each venue can change; we recommend confirming directly with the venue before visiting. We cannot accept responsibility for health-related consequences based on our published information (see Disclaimer).
6. Sponsored and PR Articles
Articles produced for compensation are clearly marked at the top with “PR” or “Sponsored”. We comply with Japan’s regulations against stealth marketing under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, effective October 1, 2023.
7. SNS Citation Policy
To convey the lived experience of visitors, we may cite Instagram posts using the official embed feature. When doing so:
- We use only the official embed feature (we do not republish content via screenshots).
- We respect the rights of the original posters and the venues.
- If a cited post is later deleted, we will likewise remove it from our site.
Established: April 29, 2026