Biwako Hotel (Location: Hamacho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture; General Manager: Yoshikazu Maeda) is bringing back its autumn-only sweet, "Tanuki," at Café Bellago on the hotel's 2nd floor, available from September 16 (Wednesday) through October 31 (Saturday), 2026.
A Retro Tanuki-Shaped Cake, Once a Staple of Showa-Era Confectionery
During the Showa era, tanuki-shaped cakes were once a familiar sight at Western-style confectioneries across Japan. Interest in the retro treat has revived recently on social media, but because each one is handmade, fewer and fewer shops still make them today, earning the dessert a reputation as an "endangered species" of the pastry world.
A Tribute to Shiga's Shigaraki-Ware Tanuki and the Otsu Festival
Biwako Hotel has offered its own version of the cake as an autumn-only item since 2022, inspired by Shigaraki ware's famous tanuki figures, a specialty of Shiga Prefecture, as well as "Saigyozakura Tanuki-yama," the float that always leads the procession without a lottery draw at the Otsu Festival, held every October in Otsu City and counted among the region's three great festivals. The cake has become a favorite among repeat guests.
This year's cake marks its 5th edition, now flavored with chocolate and banana. Because each one is handcrafted with care by the hotel's pastry chefs, every cake has a slightly different expression, part of its charm. Don't miss the chance for a one-of-a-kind encounter with this adorable, limited-time cake.
The 5th-Generation Tanuki Cake: "Tanuki"
This year's cake is built around the classic pairing of chocolate and banana. A smooth chocolate mousse conceals a fragrant banana brûlée and rich caramel banana, letting the flavors of both chocolate and banana shine through. A small leaf perched on its forehead and round, innocent eyes complete its endearing look.
Sales Overview
Location: Café Bellago (Biwako Hotel, 2nd Floor)
Period: September 16 (Wednesday) to October 31 (Saturday), 2026
*Not available on October 29 (Thursday)
Hours: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Last Order 9:30 PM)
Prices:
- Dine-in: ¥920 (tax and 15% service charge included)
- Cake Set: ¥1,600 (tax and 15% service charge included)
- Takeout: ¥800 (tax included)
Reservations: 077-524-1225 (Restaurant reservations, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
*All photos are for illustration purposes only.
*Menu items may change due to ingredient availability.
About Biwako Hotel
- Address: 2-40 Hamacho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture 520-0041
- Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Biwako-Hamaotsu Station / Approximately 5 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Otsu Station
- Structure: 1st to 12th floor above ground (Guest rooms on 4th to 12th floors / 175 rooms total)
- Official Website: https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/biwakohotel/
