Exhibition and Sales of Pet Skincare Products ROCCANIST® Begin at "Kaminoki," the Only Cafe & Restaurant on the 500th Step of the Approach to Kotohiragu Shrine in Kagawa

## Press Release Information
Title: Exhibition and Sales of Pet Skincare Products ROCCANIST® Begin at "Kaminoki," the Only Cafe & Restaurant on the 500th Step of the Approach to Kotohiragu Shrine in Kagawa
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Main Body (first 8000 characters): NIII Co., Ltd. (N3, Headquarters: Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, President and Representative Director: Noriaki Numata), a wellbeing brand operating ROCCANIST®, will begin the exhibition and sales of skincare products for dogs and cats in the showcase within the cafe space of "Kaminoki," a cafe & restaurant located on the 500th step of the approach to Kotohiragu Shrine in Kagawa Prefecture, starting from Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

In the Edo period, people entrusted their prayers and carried their feelings.

Now, those feelings are brought back to their families.

ROCCANIST all 4 types at "Kaminoki," 500th step of the approach to Kotohiragu Shrine

■ Outline of this release

- Exhibition and sales start at "Kaminoki" on the 500th step of the approach to Kotohiragu Shrine
- Offering 4 types of dog and cat skincare products
- Contains "RiceLife® Extract," a rice-derived fermented ingredient developed by Yushin Shuzo, a long-established sake brewery in Kagawa Prefecture
- Inspired by the "Konpira-inu" (Konpira Dogs) and the proxy pilgrimage culture of the Edo period
- An initiative layered with the history of Konpira pilgrimage and the culture of "carrying feelings"
- A wellbeing proposal from Kagawa that re-examines the relationship between nature, people, and animals

■ "Kaminoki," the only place within the grounds of Kotohiragu Shrine—a place that opens up special moments

"Kaminoki" is located on the 500th step, halfway along the 785-step approach. It is a place that appears as if to allow one to catch their breath amidst the flow of time heading towards Kotohiragu Shrine.

This location, once popular as a resting place for pilgrims, now offers a quiet and rich time to visitors as a cafe & restaurant enveloped in nature. Upon entering the store, a striking ceramic panel painting of blue Japanese camellias spread throughout the space impressively greets guests, and on the terrace leading outside, visitors can spend time in the clear air of the sacred grounds. Kaminoki is cherished by many as a space to more deeply savor the time and lingering atmosphere that flows within the special place of Kotohiragu Shrine.

Kaminoki's cafe terrace opened to the forest. A Varied Tit, a small bird living in the sacred grounds.

■ The "Konpira-inu" inherited from the Edo period and the pilgrimage road that carried feelings

Just as visiting Ise Jingu was a once-in-a-lifetime dream for common people in the Edo period, the "Konpira pilgrimage" to Sanuki's Konpira Daigongen, now Kotohiragu Shrine, was also a major life event.

In an era when distant pilgrimages were not easy, people cultivated a culture of "daisan" (proxy pilgrimage) where they entrusted their wishes to others. Among them were dogs that wore bags inscribed with "Konpira Pilgrimage" around their necks, carrying their owners' wishes and heading for Konpira Daigongen. These dogs were called "Konpira-inu" (Konpira Dogs) and are said to have traveled to the distant land of Sanuki, carrying prayers with the help of travelers and people along the roads.

Such pilgrimages were also long journeys connecting sea and land. Ships crossing the Seto Inland Sea from Osaka would arrive at Marugame Port or Tadotsu Port, the gateways to Sanuki, and pilgrims would then head to Kotohira via the Marugame Road and Tadotsu Road. It is said that the folk song "Konpira Fune-Fune," widely popular in Kagawa, was sung on board the ships. Furthermore, one of the symbols that convey the vestiges of these journeys to this day is the tall lantern remaining in Kotohira Town. Completed in 1860, this lantern is approximately 27m high, boasts the tallest wooden lantern in Japan, and is designated as a National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property. It is said to have once served as a landmark for ships navigating the Seto Inland Sea, delivering light to the "Konpira ships" that plied the waters.

The tall lantern that served as a landmark on the sea route. A view of the Sanuki Plain and Mt. Sanuki (Mt. Iino) from the observatory in front of the Main Shrine.

A Shiba Inu standing in front of the Main Shrine. The vestiges of Konpira-inu alive in modern times.

Crossing the sea, arriving at port, walking towards the light.

Then entering Kotohira town, climbing the stone steps of the approach one by one.

The destination is Kotohiragu Shrine, nestled halfway up Mt. Zozu.
Once, along this path, with the heartfelt wishes of people in their hearts,
there were dogs that walked step by step.

■ Small Encounters Starting from a Place Called Kaminoki

The time spent in the special place called Kaminoki is not something that ends there, but something that is carried back into daily life.

At the end of a day of worshiping with beloved dogs and cats, one might gently turn their gaze, touch their paws, and kindly care for them, thinking, "Perhaps they're a little tired from walking." Or, while taking a break at Kaminoki, one might suddenly think of the precious family member waiting at home. In this place where dogs once carried people's feelings, people now think of their dogs and cats, who are family members, and bring that kindness back home. ROCCANIST proposes new daily care that resonates with people, pets, and nature, from the special place called Kaminoki, nestled in the forest of Kotohiragu Shrine.

■ Comment

Masami Kunisawa, Senior Managing Director of Kaminoki Co., Ltd. / General Manager of Cafe & Restaurant Kaminoki

I myself live with a Shiba Inu and feel every day that animals are irreplaceable family members.

Kaminoki has always been a place where, during the special time of worship, each