[New “Only Here” Shiga Souvenir Released] Lake Biwa Shimmers at the Bottom of the Sake Cup — Original Sake Vessel “Bi-Choko” Now on Sale at “BIWAKO TOURISM” Directly Connected to JR Otsu Station
Balnibarbi Co., Ltd. has launched "Bi-Choko," an original sake cup designed with Lake Biwa at its base, at "BIWAKO TOURISM" directly connected to JR Otsu Station. This is the third installment in their Shiga souvenir series, aiming to allow visitors to take home the sake tasting experience from the store.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
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Balnibarbi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Osaka; Representative Director and Chairman: Hirohisa Sato) has begun sales of its original sake cup "Bi-Choko" at "BIWAKO TOURISM," a hub for Shiga tourism and food culture located on the 1st floor of "THE CALENDAR," a complex directly connected to JR Otsu Station that includes a cafe & restaurant and capsule hotel.
### BIWAKO TOURISM: A New Exchange Hub in Shiga
"BIWAKO TOURISM" is a new exchange hub in Shiga that connects travelers and locals, offering a coin-operated sake server where visitors can enjoy over 16 types of local sake, a souvenir shop stocked with specialty products from various parts of the prefecture, and a luggage storage service.
The "Bi-Choko" making its debut this time is the third installment in a series of "one-of-a-kind" Shiga souvenirs utilizing local ingredients, following "Lake Biwa Sujiebi and Crustacean Cream (Pasta Sauce)" and "Omi Beef Hashed Beef," which are certified products of "Otsu Hyakucho Hyakufuku Monogatari."
It was uniquely developed as a "vessel" to take home the "experience" of tasting sake at the sake server, which cannot be taken out.
## The Story Behind the Birth of "Bi-Choko"
Since its opening, the coin-operated sake tasting service at "BIWAKO TOURISM" has been very popular. However, the "experience" that can only be enjoyed there cannot be taken home. It was with the desire to allow customers to take that entire "experience" home that the original sake cup "Bi-Choko" was born. Brand new cups with the same design as those actually used in the store can be purchased as souvenirs.
### BIWAKO TOURISM: A New Exchange Hub in Shiga
"BIWAKO TOURISM" is a new exchange hub in Shiga that connects travelers and locals, offering a coin-operated sake server where visitors can enjoy over 16 types of local sake, a souvenir shop stocked with specialty products from various parts of the prefecture, and a luggage storage service.
The "Bi-Choko" making its debut this time is the third installment in a series of "one-of-a-kind" Shiga souvenirs utilizing local ingredients, following "Lake Biwa Sujiebi and Crustacean Cream (Pasta Sauce)" and "Omi Beef Hashed Beef," which are certified products of "Otsu Hyakucho Hyakufuku Monogatari."
It was uniquely developed as a "vessel" to take home the "experience" of tasting sake at the sake server, which cannot be taken out.
## The Story Behind the Birth of "Bi-Choko"
Since its opening, the coin-operated sake tasting service at "BIWAKO TOURISM" has been very popular. However, the "experience" that can only be enjoyed there cannot be taken home. It was with the desire to allow customers to take that entire "experience" home that the original sake cup "Bi-Choko" was born. Brand new cups with the same design as those actually used in the store can be purchased as souvenirs.