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NEXCO EAST (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) will collaborate with Michi Co., Ltd. (Hannō-shi, Saitama Prefecture) to conduct a series of demonstration experiments starting September 18th (Friday) to explore new services aimed at making travel and transportation with dogs more comfortable for customers traveling with their pets.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for people to enjoy traveling and going out with their dogs. Our company has been working to make travel with dogs safer and more comfortable, including installing dog runs at service areas (SAs) and parking areas (PAs). In this demonstration experiment, our company and Michi will co-host a "rogaining event" that can be taken with dogs, and will also implement measures to make traveling on Expressway with dogs more enjoyable, such as installing photo spots in the dog runs at SAs and PAs.

1. An event where you use a map to visit checkpoints and collect as many points as possible within a time limit.
2. The image is for illustrative purposes only. The actual product may differ.

Furthermore, Michi Co., Ltd. is one of the companies selected for the fifth phase of the "DraPla Innovation Lab."

What is DraPla Innovation Lab?

This program aims to create businesses that address social issues, revitalize local communities, and enable the realization of next-generation Expressway services, while verifying technologies and business models with companies that possess new technologies, services, and ideas.
It started in fiscal year 2021 and has been held in five phases so far.

Implementation overview

To understand the travel needs and Expressway usage patterns of dog owners, and to explore the possibilities of new services, we will implement the following initiatives.

(1) Holding a rogaining event

We will be co-hosting a "rogaining event" in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, where you can participate with your dog, in collaboration with Michi Co., Ltd.

• Event Name
  The Committee for Enjoying Everything with Dogs x NEXCO EAST Dog Rogaining in Shirakawa Komine Castle
• Date and time
  Sunday, November 29, 2020
• place
  Shirakawa Komine Castle (Shiroyama Park) (Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture)
• Content
  The event centers around Shiroyama Park, with checkpoints set up in various locations throughout Shirakawa City, including other parks and urban areas. Participants team up with their dogs and, using a map, visit the checkpoints, aiming to earn as many points as possible within the time limit. This event is enjoyable for both experienced rogaining enthusiasts and complete beginners.

When coming to Shiroyama Park, the meeting place for the event, it is convenient to use the E4 Tohoku Expressway Shirakawa Chuo Smart Interchange (ETC only) (approximately 5 minutes to Shiroyama Park).
For details and registration, please check the website of Michi Co., Ltd.'s "Committee for Enjoying Everything with Dogs."

(2) Installation of photo spots in SA/PA dog runs in conjunction with rogaining events

In conjunction with the rogaining event held in Shirakawa City, we will be setting up photo spots in the dog runs of designated service areas and parking areas within our jurisdiction where customers can enjoy taking commemorative photos with their dogs. Any customer with a dog can use the photo spots.
The illustrations for the photo spot will be created by Maya Sakaguchi, an illustrator and manga artist who posts dog essay comics on X (formerly Twitter). Enjoy taking photos at the photo spot, which features a warm and inviting design that will make capturing memories with your beloved dog fun.

• Installation location:
  E4 Tohoku Expressway

  Chojahara Service Area Out-bound and In-bound)
  Nasu Kogen Service Area Out-bound)
  Sano Service Area (Out-bound) (※Also accessible from In-bound lane)

  E6 Joban Expressway

  Moriya Service Area (Out-bound and In-bound)
• Installation period:
  September 18th (Friday) - Early December (tentative)

There are five different photo spot designs, ranging from those inspired by service areas (SAs) and parking areas (PAs) to those inspired by rogaining events. You can enjoy taking commemorative photos with your dog at each SA and PA while searching for your favorite spot.
Please note that the photo spot may be temporarily removed in the event of severe weather. Thank you for your understanding.

(3) Customers who use Expressway and participate in the rogaining event after meeting the specified conditions will receive original merchandise.

Customers participating in the rogaining event in Shirakawa City who meet the following conditions will receive an event-exclusive gift.

About original merchandise

This is an event-exclusive item (acrylic keychain) featuring illustrations by Maya Sakaguchi.

• The design of the merchandise will differ depending on whether you use Condition A or Condition B.

条件A

SA・PAドッグランのフォトスポットで撮影した愛犬の記念写真を、ご自身のSNS（X、インスタグラム）に投稿し、会場で提示いただいたお客さま

　フォトスポットで撮影された愛犬のお写真を、当日スタッフへお見せください。対象のフォトスポットは（2）に記載の計6か所です。複数箇所で撮影いただいた場合でも、プレゼントは1組につき1点となります。

条件B

ドラ割「東北観光フリーパス」を利用したお客さま

　東北観光フリーパスの各プランを申し込むと入手できる「優待券」、もしくは「優待券」を印刷したものを当日スタッフへご提示ください。優待券は申込完了メールに記載のURLより表示が可能です。
　福島県内、東北地方の周遊には「東北観光フリーパス」がおすすめです。対象エリア内は乗り降り自由ですので、愛犬の体調に合わせた柔軟なお出かけをお楽しみいただけます。東北観光フリーパスをご利用する際は、ご利用予定の日時、区間、料金等をお確かめの上で、当社HP「ドラぷら」からお申込みください。

• Please search for "Tohoku Sightseeing Free Pass" on search engines.

(4) Conducting a survey

　犬と高速道路に関するアンケート調査を実施します。犬の飼育経験の有無にかかわらずご回答いただけます。
　アンケートは第1回（9月30日まで）と第2回（11月上旬開始予定）の計2回実施いたします。第1回と第2回では質問内容が異なりますので、ぜひ両方のアンケートにご回答ください。なお、第1回終了後から第2回開始までの期間は回答いただけません。
　第1回、第2回ともに、以下のURLまたは右上の二次元コードからご回答いただけます。アンケートの運営、回答情報の管理・集計は株式会社ミチが実施します。
　アンケートに回答いただいた方の中から抽選で各回200名様ずつ、合計400名様にデジタルギフト500円分をプレゼントいたします。

Survey URL: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2yJLQfWxq58EVDVxeEP6JZCT7T7KiDpm-AhrLHCIC9473iQ/viewform?usp=dialog

About Michi Co., Ltd.

Michi Co., Ltd. is a company headquartered in Hannō City, Saitama Prefecture, dedicated to promoting outdoor culture that can be enjoyed by both dogs and people.
We handle sales in Japan for "Non-stop dogwear," an outdoor dog gear brand from Norway, importing and selling dog gear. In addition, as the "Committee for Enjoying Everything with Dogs," we plan and manage dog sports events such as cannicross and dog rogaining throughout Japan.
With the motto "Enjoy everything with your dog," we continue to propose new ways to play and spend time with your dog.

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