[New "Only-Here" Shiga Souvenir Launched] Lake Biwa Shimmers at the Bottom of a Sake Cup – Original Sake Vessel "Bichoko" Now on Sale at "BIWAKO TOURISM" Directly Connected to JR Otsu Station

Balnibarbi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Osaka; Representative Director and Chairman: Hirohisa Sato) has begun selling its original sake vessel, "Bichoko," at "BIWAKO TOURISM," a hub for promoting Shiga's tourism and food culture located on the 1st floor of "THE CALENDAR," a complex facility including a cafe & restaurant and capsule hotel, directly connected to JR Otsu Station.

The 3rd product in our self-developed Shiga souvenir series: [Original Sake Vessel "Bichoko"]

### Shiga's New Exchange Hub "BIWAKO TOURISM"

"BIWAKO TOURISM" is a new exchange hub in Shiga connecting travelers and locals, equipped with a coin-operated sake server offering over 16 types of local sake, a souvenir shop stocked with famous products from across the prefecture, and a luggage storage service.

The newly introduced "Bichoko" is the third product in our "only-here" Shiga souvenir series, which utilizes local ingredients, following "Lake Biwa Sujiebi Shrimp and Crustacean Cream (Pasta Sauce)," a certified product of "Otsu Hyakucho Hyakufuku Monogatari," and "Omi Beef Hashed Beef."

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 "Bichoko"

Since its opening, "BIWAKO TOURISM" has received high praise for its coin-operated sake server offering local sake tastings. However, the "experience" that can only be savored on-site could not be taken home. It was with the desire to allow customers to take that entire "experience" home that the original sake vessel "Bichoko" was born. You can purchase a new cup with the same design as the ones actually used in the store as a souvenir.

## Product Details

### ■ Bichoko 800 yen

The exterior features a large, navy-blue character "琵 (Bi)" on a white background, creating a modern design. The bottom is adorned with the silhouette of Lake Biwa, and when sake is poured, the design is cleverly crafted to appear as if the silhouette at the bottom shimmers with the liquid's movement.

It is priced affordably, making it suitable for personal use or as a gift for sake lovers.

* Product Name: Bichoko
* Capacity: 3 shaku (approx. 54ml)
* Price: 800 yen (tax included) *Comes in a box
* Sales Location: BIWAKO TOURISM (1F of "THE CALENDAR" directly connected to JR Otsu Station)

## Self-Developed Series Utilizing Local Ingredients

"Bichoko" is the third product in our series uniquely developed based on local ingredients and culture. A new form of souvenir has been assembled, allowing you to take home Shiga's "food" and "vessels" in total.

### ■ Omi Beef Hashed Beef 980 yen

Luxuriously uses Omi Beef, a brand beef that Shiga boasts. By simmering it slowly, the high-quality fat of Omi Beef melts into the sauce, creating a rich, deep flavor full of collagen, harmonized with the acidity of sherry vinegar, for an authentic taste. It is also recommended to enjoy it lavishly by pouring it over omurice.

### ■ Lake Biwa Sujiebi Shrimp and Crustacean Cream (Pasta Sauce) 950 yen

[Certified Product of Otsu Hyakucho Hyakufuku Monogatari]

This product was certified by the Otsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry as an excellent local product brand utilizing regional resources. "Crustacean" refers to crustaceans in French. This is a rich and luxurious restaurant-style sauce where the savory flavor of Lake Biwa sujiebi shrimp, sourced from local suppliers, and the richness of butter melt together.

* Product prices include tax.

## SHOP INFORMATION

"THE CALENDAR" at JR Otsu Station in Shiga Prefecture is a complex facility, primarily a cafe & restaurant and capsule hotel, used daily by many citizens and tourists. The cafe & restaurant offers Italian dishes and sweets utilizing local ingredients, and BBQ can also be enjoyed on the terrace seats, which have over 100 seats.

* Store Name: "THE CALENDAR"
* Address: 1-3 Kasuga-cho, Otsu-shi, Shiga 520-0055, Vierra Otsu
* Phone Number: 077-526-9090
* URL: http://www.the-calendar.jp
* Access: Directly next to JR Otsu Station
* Business Hours:
* THE CALENDAR (2F) / 11:00~23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
* BIWAKO TOURISM (1F) / 10:00~22:30 (Food & Drink 11:00~L.O. 22:00)
* Closed: Open daily
* Seating Capacity: Total 240 seats (130 indoor seats / 110 terrace seats)