[To the Shinkansen with Your Dog] 'Wanwan Express' Part 2 | Sopra Ginza Opens Applications for '1-Group Exclusive' Special Invitation with Pre-Training
Sopra Ginza has launched a special 1-group invitation for the 2nd 'Wanwan Express,' a pet-friendly Shinkansen project by JR Central. This initiative includes mandatory pre-training classes and aims to conduct social proof-of-concept tests to establish a society where pets and public transportation coexist harmoniously.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (5h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 00:09 (7 min after Collected)
Sopra Ginza Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Tetsutaka Suda) has opened applications for a special invitation slot (limited to one group) that includes pre-training, coinciding with the launch of the second "Wanwan Express," a special project allowing passengers to board the Shinkansen with their dogs.
This project is implemented as a social proof-of-concept aimed at coexistence between pets and public transportation, verifying pet behavior management and owner manners during travel.
Sopra Ginza Co., Ltd., which operates pet salons, dog kindergartens, and hotels, is proactively participating again following last year in the chartered Shinkansen project "Wanwan Express ~Enjoy Interpet Osaka with Your Dog~" conducted by Central Japan Railway Company (hereinafter referred to as JR Central).
This project is a "social proof-of-concept project" that not only provides the experience of traveling on the Shinkansen with a dog but also verifies the ideal state of pet coexistence in public transportation from the perspectives of discipline, hygiene, and safety.
The 1st Wanwan Express in March 2025
■ Philosophy Toward Realizing a Pet-Symbiotic Society
At Sopra Ginza, we believe that to realize a "society where we can move, stay, and live safely with pets," not only the development of acceptance environments but also the following elements are indispensable:
- Appropriate discipline and behavior management
- Owners' awareness of manners
- Thorough sanitary environments
Creating a "society where proper training is a given" is the responsibility of not only pet-related businesses but also each individual owner.
This project unfolds as a social testing ground aiming for a symbiotic society that is acceptable even to people who are not fond of pets.
Enjoy the Shinkansen interior cage-less
■ Role as a Proof-of-Concept Experiment (Involvement of Sopra Ginza)
In this project, Sopra Ginza provides specialized supervision and operational support in the following areas:
- Designing behavior management and discipline standards for dogs inside the train
- Designing operations to ensure safety when traveling with pets
These will be utilized as baseline data to establish future standards for pet coexistence in public transportation.
One seat is also allocated to the dog
■ Initiatives as Educational Content
This tour treats travel time as a "place of learning," implementing the following programs by Sopra Ginza dog trainers:
- Manners in public spaces
- Lectures on behavior management
- Practical instruction on crate training
- Behavior control for spending a calm time with your dog
We approach this from the aspect of "education," which is indispensable for realizing a pet-symbiotic society.
Helpful lectures by Sopra's dog trainers
■ Regarding the Recruitment of the Special Invitation Slot by Sopra Ginza
In this project, we will implement a 【1-group exclusive special invitation (by lottery)】 as a participant slot with special support from Sopra Ginza.
The purpose of this recruitment is to popularize the improvement of owners' awareness of manners and the behavior management of dogs in public spaces through a series of processes including pre-training classes and post-experience follow-up.
【Application Overview】
- Application Period: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Application Conditions:
Those who agree with the purpose of this project
Those who can participate in the preliminary training classes held at Sopra Ginza
Those who can share their experiences on SNS (Instagram, etc.)
- Winner Announcement: Sunday, May 10, 2026
* Winners will be contacted directly via email.
【Offerings for Winners】
- Wanwan Express ticket (Round trip)
2 Adults + 1 Dog (for 3 seats)
- Accommodation (Moxy Osaka Umeda)
1 Night / with breakfast (2 Adults)
- Interpet Osaka Admission Ticket (1-day ticket for 2 Adults)
- Sopra Kindergarten Special Invitation
One-on-one training (4 times in total)
- Sopra Trimming Ticket (1 use)
■ Special Application Website
https://sopraginza.co.jp/wanwanexpress
■ Past Achievements and Current Evolution
The "Wanwan Express," carried out for the first time in the 60-year history of the Tokaido Shinkansen in 2025, generated a huge response as an innovative attempt to ride the Shinkansen with dogs.
In this second edition, we will also verify what an "ideal travel space" that provides peace of mind for pets looks like, focusing on the importance of pet carts in Japan and the reduction of stress and ensuring safety for dogs during travel.
From the perspectives of reducing vibration during travel, stabilizing posture, and ensuring an appropriate distance from surroundings, the role of pet carts is expected to become increasingly vital as a means of securing a "personal space" where pets can feel secure.
Sopra Ginza views the pet cart not merely as a mobility aid, but as "part of the infrastructure constituting a safe and comfortable travel space," aiming to create new standards for bringing pets into public spaces.
This project is implemented as a social proof-of-concept aimed at coexistence between pets and public transportation, verifying pet behavior management and owner manners during travel.
Sopra Ginza Co., Ltd., which operates pet salons, dog kindergartens, and hotels, is proactively participating again following last year in the chartered Shinkansen project "Wanwan Express ~Enjoy Interpet Osaka with Your Dog~" conducted by Central Japan Railway Company (hereinafter referred to as JR Central).
This project is a "social proof-of-concept project" that not only provides the experience of traveling on the Shinkansen with a dog but also verifies the ideal state of pet coexistence in public transportation from the perspectives of discipline, hygiene, and safety.
The 1st Wanwan Express in March 2025
■ Philosophy Toward Realizing a Pet-Symbiotic Society
At Sopra Ginza, we believe that to realize a "society where we can move, stay, and live safely with pets," not only the development of acceptance environments but also the following elements are indispensable:
- Appropriate discipline and behavior management
- Owners' awareness of manners
- Thorough sanitary environments
Creating a "society where proper training is a given" is the responsibility of not only pet-related businesses but also each individual owner.
This project unfolds as a social testing ground aiming for a symbiotic society that is acceptable even to people who are not fond of pets.
Enjoy the Shinkansen interior cage-less
■ Role as a Proof-of-Concept Experiment (Involvement of Sopra Ginza)
In this project, Sopra Ginza provides specialized supervision and operational support in the following areas:
- Designing behavior management and discipline standards for dogs inside the train
- Designing operations to ensure safety when traveling with pets
These will be utilized as baseline data to establish future standards for pet coexistence in public transportation.
One seat is also allocated to the dog
■ Initiatives as Educational Content
This tour treats travel time as a "place of learning," implementing the following programs by Sopra Ginza dog trainers:
- Manners in public spaces
- Lectures on behavior management
- Practical instruction on crate training
- Behavior control for spending a calm time with your dog
We approach this from the aspect of "education," which is indispensable for realizing a pet-symbiotic society.
Helpful lectures by Sopra's dog trainers
■ Regarding the Recruitment of the Special Invitation Slot by Sopra Ginza
In this project, we will implement a 【1-group exclusive special invitation (by lottery)】 as a participant slot with special support from Sopra Ginza.
The purpose of this recruitment is to popularize the improvement of owners' awareness of manners and the behavior management of dogs in public spaces through a series of processes including pre-training classes and post-experience follow-up.
【Application Overview】
- Application Period: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Application Conditions:
Those who agree with the purpose of this project
Those who can participate in the preliminary training classes held at Sopra Ginza
Those who can share their experiences on SNS (Instagram, etc.)
- Winner Announcement: Sunday, May 10, 2026
* Winners will be contacted directly via email.
【Offerings for Winners】
- Wanwan Express ticket (Round trip)
2 Adults + 1 Dog (for 3 seats)
- Accommodation (Moxy Osaka Umeda)
1 Night / with breakfast (2 Adults)
- Interpet Osaka Admission Ticket (1-day ticket for 2 Adults)
- Sopra Kindergarten Special Invitation
One-on-one training (4 times in total)
- Sopra Trimming Ticket (1 use)
■ Special Application Website
https://sopraginza.co.jp/wanwanexpress
■ Past Achievements and Current Evolution
The "Wanwan Express," carried out for the first time in the 60-year history of the Tokaido Shinkansen in 2025, generated a huge response as an innovative attempt to ride the Shinkansen with dogs.
In this second edition, we will also verify what an "ideal travel space" that provides peace of mind for pets looks like, focusing on the importance of pet carts in Japan and the reduction of stress and ensuring safety for dogs during travel.
From the perspectives of reducing vibration during travel, stabilizing posture, and ensuring an appropriate distance from surroundings, the role of pet carts is expected to become increasingly vital as a means of securing a "personal space" where pets can feel secure.
Sopra Ginza views the pet cart not merely as a mobility aid, but as "part of the infrastructure constituting a safe and comfortable travel space," aiming to create new standards for bringing pets into public spaces.