94.5% of Pet Owners Want to Travel with Their Dogs: CoCo Gourmet Joins Tobu Group’s Pet Tourism Initiative to Co-Create a Canine Dining Experience in Nikko

BioPhilia Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kota Iwahashi; hereinafter "the company"), developer and distributor of handmade meals for dogs and cats "CoCo Gourmet" (hereinafter: CoCo Gourmet) and "Miao Gourmet" (hereinafter: Miao Gourmet), will participate in the second edition of "TOBU Doggy Doggy Train," a pet-friendly tour program jointly operated by Tobu Railway Co., Ltd. and Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd. This program allows dog owners to travel by train and sightsee with their dogs without using cages. The upcoming tour, titled "Summer Trip to Nikko and Tobu World Square with Your Dog via Skytree Train," will feature a workshop hosted by the company as part of the "Grand Foresta Villa Nikko Course," where participants will create an original dog-friendly menu using CoCo Gourmet—"CoCo Gourmet Temari Sushi"—specifically inspired by Nikko.

The tour will take place over a 1-night, 2-day period from July 25 (Sat) to 26 (Sun), 2026. Reservations open on June 25 (Thu), 2026 at 15:00 via the Tobu Top Tours application website.

Background of Participation and Collaboration: Enhancing Pet Tourism Demand with a Culinary Experience in Tobu Group’s Dog-Friendly Tourism Vision

In recent years, as pets become increasingly regarded as family members, demand has grown among pet owners to travel with their dogs. Municipalities and the tourism industry have also begun to focus more on pet and dog tourism.

This rising trend is clearly reflected in a "Pet Tourism Demand Survey" conducted by the company in October 2025, which surveyed 451 dog owners across Japan:

- Dog owners who want to travel with their dogs: 94.5% - Consider whether dogs are allowed when choosing travel destinations: 91.4% - Willing to pay higher travel costs to bring their dogs: 81.6% - Have previously traveled with their dogs: 77.2% - Tochigi Prefecture ranked 3rd among destinations where owners have traveled with their dogs (includes the Nikko area)

※ For survey details, please refer to the press release: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000159.000044537.html

However, traveling via public transportation often requires dogs to remain in cages for long periods, due to safety concerns and considerations for passengers with allergies or dog-related anxieties—posing a significant burden for both pets and owners.

In response, Tobu Railway Co., Ltd. and Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd. have launched the "TOBU Doggy Doggy Train" program under their long-term business vision, aiming to create a dog-friendly corridor where owners and dogs can enjoy travel experiences together—from transportation to sightseeing. This vision deeply aligns with the company’s mission of fostering a world where humans and animals nurture mutual affection and create chains of love. Thus, the company has decided to participate in the program’s second edition.

Previously, the company collaborated with JR East Japan Group’s cage-free train tour "Wandafuru TRAIN," providing "CoCo Gourmet Shumai Bento"—a specially designed bento for dogs to enjoy onboard. Through such collaborations with railway operators, the company has worked to create shared culinary experiences between dogs and owners. In this new tour, the company will build on this expertise to extend its involvement beyond transportation to include on-site dining experiences.

Overview of the Second "TOBU Doggy Doggy Train" Tour

The second edition of this tour features a 1-night, 2-day itinerary centered on the Nikko and Kinugawa areas. The program begins with a cage-free charter train, the "Skytree Train (634 Series)," exclusively for dog owners. Participants can also enjoy cage-free access for their dogs on charter buses used for local transportation and at designated tourist sites. Onboard the outbound journey, activities include seminars for dog owners led by professional dog trainers and photo sessions where dogs can wear original Tobu Railway uniforms designed specifically for them.

Two tour options are available: the "Grand Foresta Villa Nikko Course," which includes accommodation at a pet-friendly resort featuring one of the largest private dog runs in the Kanto region, and the "Lake Chuzenji Area Full Enjoyment Course," which explores the cool, scenic Lake Chuzenji area even during summer. Participants can choose based on their preferred travel style.

Tour Name: Summer Trip to Nikko and Tobu World Square with Your Dog via Skytree Train

Tour Planning and Operation: Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd.

Event Dates: 1-night, 2-day trip from July 25 (Sat) to 26 (Sun), 2026

Sales Launch Date: June 25 (Thu), 2026 at 15:00 (Internet-only)

Application: Tobu Top Tours Application Website

https://tobutoptours.jp/tabiclub/doggy_doggy_train/?utm_source=biophilia&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=20260725_doggy_doggy_train

※ For details on capacity, tour pricing, and participation requirements, please visit the Tobu Top Tours application website.

The Company’s Role: Co-Creating a Unique Culinary Experience—"Dog-Friendly Meal Workshop" Inspired by Nikko

※ Image is for illustrative purposes only. Menu items may be subject to change.

As part of the "Grand Foresta Villa Nikko Course," the company will host a hands-on workshop where participants create dog meals together with their pets. The highlight is the original "CoCo Gourmet Temari Sushi," a special menu crafted with ingredients unique to the Nikko region. Using CoCo Gourmet as a base—renowned for its high palatability—recipes have been carefully developed by product developers certified in pet nutrition, ensuring dogs enjoy the meals even in unfamiliar travel environments. This program allows owners and their dogs to share the joy of cooking and eating together in the same time and space.

Comment from the Project Lead

"CoCo Gourmet has always upheld the brand concept of 'Love for Life Through Homemade Meals,' dedicated to providing not just pet 'feed,' but joyful 'meals' for beloved canine family members.

Meals during travel are special moments, different from everyday dining. We believe that sharing a dish made by the owner’s own hands can transform a single day—and the entire trip—into an irreplaceable memory. We are thrilled to contribute our unique 'value of culinary experience' to Tobu Group’s vision of a seamless, borderless journey where dogs and owners can enjoy travel together—from transportation to sightseeing and now, dining."

Past Collaborations and Future Outlook

The company has actively collaborated with municipalities and businesses to promote pet tourism and create experiential value through food. Going forward, BioPhilia will continue to strengthen partnerships with railway operators, local governments, and tourism organizations to advance food-based experiential value and expand initiatives that foster harmonious coexistence between pet owners, their dogs, and local communities.

Key Examples of Past Pet Tourism Collaborations

- August 2022: Collaborated with km Mobility Services, Inc. (part of International Automotive Group) to launch a pet-friendly bus tour - August 2024: Partnered with Matsumoto Tourism Convention Association for "Camping with Your Dog in Matsumoto, Shinshu," providing menu supervision for CoCo Gourmet, promoting food-integrated pet tourism together with local government - April and September 2025: Provided "CoCo Gourmet Shumai Bento," a dog-friendly ekiben (lunchbox) for onboard consumption, on JR East Japan Group’s cage-free train "Wandafuru TRAIN"

Inquiries Regarding Future Collaborations in Pet Tourism

Businesses, organizations, or local governments interested in food-integrated collaborations in pet tourism are welcome to contact us via the link below.

https://coco-gourmet.com/contact

About Handmade Pet Food (Fresh Pet Food)

CoCo Gourmet, a handmade pet food brand for dogs with over 400,000 member dogs (※1), and Miao Gourmet, its feline-focused counterpart, represent a new category of frozen pet meals. These brands break from conventional pet food concepts by using only human-grade fresh meat, fish, and vegetables, with no additives (※2), preserving the natural flavor and nutrition through cooking methods that enhance palatability. Every step—from cooking and delivery to storage—is managed to the same standards as human food, delivered regularly and carefully to customers’ homes.

The CoCo Gourmet series, ranked No. 1 in sales for four consecutive years in the fresh pet food category (※3)(※4), offers a diverse lineup including frozen meals, convenient single-serve toppings, shelf-stable retort pouches, therapeutic diets for dogs with specific health conditions (to be consumed under veterinary guidance), and puree-style treats. As of January 2026, CoCo Gourmet and Miao Gourmet products are available through over 2,000 retail locations nationwide, including major e-commerce sites, supermarkets, drugstores, home centers, and specialty pet stores.

※1 As of October 2025

※2 No synthetic preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, flavorings, pH adjusters, or seasoning agents

※3 Main meal-type food not processed via drying or retort cooking

※4 Sales data survey for 2022–2025 by TPC Marketing Research Co., Ltd. (primarily e-commerce)

Contributions to Social Issues

The company launched "Waninaru," a CSR initiative focused on animal welfare, featuring owner-participatory programs. Through initiatives such as collecting leftover CoCo Gourmet products from members and delivering them to shelter animals, and donating a portion of profits to provide meals for shelter dogs and cats, the company has supported donations and funding equivalent to approximately 70,000 bags (worth about 30 million yen).

CoCo Gourmet Brand Website: https://coco-gourmet.com/

Miao Gourmet Brand Website: https://miao-gourmet.com/

CSR "Waninaru" Website: https://biophilia.co.jp/sustainability

About BioPhilia Co., Ltd.

Operating under the vision "Together, Let’s Be Happy," BioPhilia is a pet wellbeing company committed to the mission of "Creating a New History Where the Dignity of All Animals Is Respected."

We believe that delivering "joy in eating and healthy daily lives" to dogs and cats contributes to the happiness of entire families. Our mission is to bring this "cycle of happiness" into every household. To achieve this, we continue to expand daily food choices for pets, serving as a lifelong food partner for you and your family.

Company Name: BioPhilia Co., Ltd.

Address: 3-7-30 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0820

CEO: Kota Iwahashi

Capital: 70,000,000 JPY

Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of fresh pet food brands "CoCo Gourmet" and "Miao Gourmet," and other pet-related businesses