Biwako Hotel in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture is serving two new seasonal drinks inspired by waka poetry at Café Bellalogo and Italian Dining Bellalogo on the hotel's second floor. One cocktail and one mocktail will be available from July 1 (Wednesday) through September 30 (Wednesday), 2026, excluding August 6.
The "Hyakunin Isshu Cocktail" series first launched in 2017 to commemorate the 1,350th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Otsu-kyo. Since then, the hotel has expanded the series to include sweets buffets, afternoon teas, and seasonal Hyakunin Isshu lunch menus, blending waka poetry with food and drink in a way that reflects Otsu's reputation as the sacred home of karuta. This latest installment brings the cumulative count to 58 out of the 100 poems in the anthology.
For this summer edition, the hotel draws on two poems: a travel-themed verse by prodigy poet Koshikibu no Naishi (Poem No. 60) is expressed in a refreshing mocktail, while the longing and passion of Sosei Hoshi (Poem No. 21), who waited through the night for a promised visitor, is captured in a cocktail. Both drinks are designed to be enjoyed alongside views of Mt. Hiei, Mt. Hira, and Lake Biwa.
"TANGO" Mocktail – ¥1,200
"Ōeyama / ikuno no michi no / tōkereba / mada fumi mo mizu / Amanohashidate"
(Poem No. 60, Koshikibu no Naishi)
Blue curaçao syrup, orange juice, and pineapple juice are layered to create a vivid gradient evoking the glittering waters of Amanohashidate. Clean sparkling water gives a refreshing finish, while a slice of lime and a green cherry suggest the verdant mountain scenery along the journey. The bright blue-and-green contrast makes for a lively non-alcoholic drink well-suited to a summer afternoon.
"Ariake no Tsuki" Cocktail – ¥1,800
"Ima komu to / iishi bakari ni / Nagatsuki no / ariake no tsuki wo / machi-idetsuru kana"
(Poem No. 21, Sosei Hoshi)
Tanqueray gin forms the base of this cocktail, blended with poire syrup and pineapple juice into a mysterious golden hue that evokes the pale moon lingering in the sky before dawn in the ninth lunar month. A deep red cherry resting at the bottom of the glass represents the burning longing that builds through a sleepless night of waiting. Bittersweet and dramatic, it is a cocktail where wistfulness and passion share the glass. (Alcoholic; not available to those under 20 years of age.)
Details
Venues: Café Bellalogo and Italian Dining Bellalogo (2nd floor, Biwako Hotel)
Period: July 1 (Wednesday) through September 30 (Wednesday), 2026 (excluding August 6)
Hours: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Last Order: 9:30 PM)
Address: 2-40 Hamacho, Otsu, Shiga 520-0041
Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Biwako-Hama-Otsu Station, or approximately 5 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Otsu Station
Prices include consumption tax and a 15% service charge. Menu items are subject to change depending on ingredient availability.
