Terms of Use

1. About the Service

Ramen Gateway is an exploration guide that helps international visitors navigate Japan's diverse ramen culture — from tourist-friendly shops to hidden local favorites. Unlike conventional restaurant review sites, our primary focus is not on taste rankings but on accessibility and difficulty: how easy or challenging a shop is to visit, order at, and enjoy as a non-Japanese speaker. We provide difficulty ratings, value ratings, ordering guidance, cultural context, user reviews, photos, and a progression system that encourages users to expand their comfort zone and discover ramen experiences beyond the familiar.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 16 years old to create an account or submit content. By using the Service, you represent that you meet this requirement.

3. Accounts

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials. You may not share your account or create multiple accounts. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or our Community Guidelines.

4. User-Generated Content

4.1 Ownership

You retain all intellectual property rights in the content you submit (reviews, photos, ratings, and other materials — collectively, "User Content").

4.2 License Grant

By submitting User Content, you grant Ramen Gateway a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, translate, distribute, publicly display, and create derivative works from your User Content, in whole or in part, in any media format and through any distribution channel, for the purposes of operating, promoting, and improving the Service.

4.3 Aggregated Data

We may use User Content in anonymized and aggregated form for analytics, research, and statistical reporting, including providing such aggregated data to third parties. Aggregated data does not identify individual users.

4.4 Representations

By submitting User Content, you represent that:

• You are the original creator of the content, or have sufficient rights to grant this license.
• Your content does not infringe any third party's rights.
• Your content complies with our Community Guidelines.

5. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Submit AI-generated reviews or AI-generated photos.
• Submit false, misleading, or fabricated information.
• Submit content unrelated to the restaurant or the dining experience.
• Use hate speech, personal attacks, or discriminatory language.
• Harass or mock restaurant owners, staff, or other users.
• Post spam, promotional content, or unauthorized advertisements.
• Attempt to manipulate ratings, reviews, or the ranking system.
• Create multiple accounts or use automated tools to submit content.
• Interfere with the operation or security of the Service.

Violations may result in content removal, account suspension, or permanent ban at our sole discretion.

6. Content Moderation

We use automated and manual moderation systems to review User Content. We reserve the right to remove, hide, or restrict any content that violates these Terms or our Community Guidelines, without prior notice. If you believe your content was removed in error, you may submit an appeal through your account page.

7. Dietary & Allergen Information

Restaurant information regarding ingredients, allergens, and dietary suitability is provided for general reference only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of such information. Menus, recipes, and preparation methods may change without notice.

YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING DIETARY AND ALLERGEN INFORMATION DIRECTLY WITH THE RESTAURANT BEFORE ORDERING.

Ramen Gateway shall not be liable for any allergic reactions, health issues, or other damages arising from reliance on dietary information provided through the Service.

8. Restaurant Information Disclaimer

Restaurant details (operating hours, menu items, prices, locations, and other business information) may change without notice. We make reasonable efforts to keep information current but do not guarantee its accuracy at the time you visit. Always confirm critical details directly with the restaurant.

9. Intellectual Property

All content, design, logos, and trademarks of Ramen Gateway (excluding User Content) are owned by us and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute our proprietary content without our prior written consent.

10. Third-Party Links & Services

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services (including booking platforms, maps, and affiliate partners). We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or availability of such third-party services. Your use of third-party services is governed by their respective terms.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RAMEN GATEWAY AND ITS OPERATORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA, REVENUE, OR PERSONAL INJURY.

12. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify registered users by email or through the Service. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Tokyo, Japan.

14. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at: info@ramengateway.com