Shiga Prefecture is a beautiful region to the east of Kyoto, best known for the sparkling freshwater of Lake Biwa, the coastal capital of Otsu, and countless must-see sights like the Eight Views of Omi (traditional scenic views of Omi Province) and Hikone Castle—one of four national treasure castles in Japan.
Between these stunning spots is a region filled with Shiga-exclusive cuisine and traditional crafts, having you indulging in Omi beef and sipping on local sake before admiring rustic and charming pottery that conveys a sense of warmth. Shiga Prefecture truly has it all, but if you can’t make the two to three-hour journey by Shinkansen from Tokyo to see it all in its natural habitat, head to COCOSHIGA.
Designed as a base for sharing information (and flavors) from Shiga Prefecture, this unique store, sake bar, and restaurant allows you to immerse yourself in the culture of Shiga without ever leaving the capital.
Get a taste of Shiga in Tokyo
Based in the sleek, glassy district of Nihonbashi, COCOSHIGA makes learning about Shiga much more accessible for tourists and locals alike, blending a souvenir and craft store, sake tasting bar and Omi beef sukiyaki restaurant—named KAN KAN KAN—into one stylish, welcoming spot.
From the thoughts of local producers to seasonal topics and tourist information, COCOSHIGA exists to help your mind and taste buds enjoy the delicacies and creations of Shiga, even if the actual prefecture feels too far at the moment. And, much like Shiga itself, every month and season brings new reasons to return, with limited-time events being held frequently.
Pop in for Omi tea tasting parties, allowing you to fully savor the flavors of Ōmi tea from Shiga Prefecture, one of Japan’s oldest tea-producing regions. See the evolution of Japanese sake at an Omi local sake tasting, promoting sake breweries and independent producers from across the region, and giving you a chance to appreciate the depth and delicacy of local sake. Allow COCOSHIGA to set the stage for local crafts, snacks, and seasonal specialties—introducing you to the artisans, breweries, and craftspeople behind them.
Now, we’ll tell you more about two of the events we were lucky enough to attend.
Find out more about COCOSHIGA: A Taste of Shiga at COCOSHIGA
Umi no Scholé: Shiga Cheese and Koji Fermented Sweets & Baguette Fair
Located in the northern region of Shiga Prefecture at Umi no Scholé, a unique cultural and commercial hub located in Nagahama City. More than just a store, Scholé is a space for discovery and learning—home to a café, cheese factory, brewery, gallery, and hands-on workshops that celebrate local craftsmanship and culinary traditions. Through events held at COCOSHIGA in Tokyo, visitors were able to sample and purchase products from Umi no Scholé.
The Shiga Cheese and Koji Fermented Sweets & Baguette Fair at COCOSHIGA highlighted the best of Scholé’s offerings. Visitors were able to savor in-house cheeses, sweets like cheesecake made with rice malt (kome-koji) and financiers, and specially crafted baguettes that reflect the rich flavors of the region. This fair was an invitation to experience Shiga’s artisanal spirit through taste, tradition, and thoughtful creation.
With a range of samples, taking guests from the complex profile of cheese and white chocolate financiers to the rich flavors of cheese, milk chocolate, and walnut brownies, we felt as if we’d been invited on a journey through Shiga’s local ingredients and craftmanship.
Explore the full diversity of Umi no Scholé’s cheeses. In addition to pure and flavored mascarpone, they offer a baguette baked with Shiga’s local flour and famous spring water, as well as bite-sized cheese and nuts seasoned with garam masala—perfect for a picnic. They’re the ideal Shiga specialties to taste at a nearby park while planning your future trip to Shiga Prefecture.
Nagahama Roman Beer Sales Event
Experience the rich brewing heritage of Shiga Prefecture at the Nagahama Roman Beer Sales Event, a celebration of local craftsmanship and flavor. Since 1996, Roman Beer has been a pioneer of craft brewing in Nagahama City, operating its own brewery and restaurant rooted in the region’s natural bounty. In 2016, it expanded its legacy with the founding of the Nagahama Distillery—Japan’s smallest distillery—making it a rare producer of both craft beer and whiskey.
At this special event, visitors can sample a variety of brews including Nagahama Ale, Oumi Pilsner, Ibuki Weizen, and the limited-edition Nagahama Fresh Hop and Hazy IPAs. Whiskey lovers can also enjoy tastings from the AMAHAGAN blended malt series, featuring the limited-edition Amahanyan Sakura Cask Blend, created in collaboration with Hikone City's beloved mascot, Hikonyan, alongside unique blends like their Red Wine Wood Finish and Mizunara Wood Finish, taking on the deeper notes of the barrels they were aged inside.
Complementing these drinks are expertly paired dishes from KAN KAN KAN, the acclaimed restaurant on COCOSHIGA’s second floor—making this a full-sensory journey through Shiga’s best, including premium sukiyaki and stone-grilled Omi beef dishes.
COCOSHIGA Membership: Points with every purchase
If you’re a foreign resident or staying around Tokyo for the duration of your visit, you may want to know about the COCOSHIGA Membership—just in case you want to be rewarded for your love of Shiga specialties.
When you visit any of the establishments within COCOSHIGA stores, including the craft and souvenir market, sake bar, and KAN KAN KAN, the second-floor restaurant, you can earn points by presenting your membership card or the membership barcode on the online shop’s “My Page.”
For every ¥100 you spend (excluding tax) at the market, bar, or online shop, you’ll get one point; at the restaurant, you’ll receive one point for every ¥200 (excluding tax). These points can then be used to buy more goodies and receive exclusive offers and information.
Note: Some products, such as gift certificates, do not earn points.
Discover Shiga’s specialties in Tokyo
Shiga Prefecture is a wonderfully unique area of Japan that’s more than deserving of your time when you next travel through the Kansai region, but if there’s no space in your itinerary this time around, walk through the doors of COCOSHIGA and let Shiga come to you.
While its shelves, souvenirs, sake bar and KAN KAN KAN restaurant will give you more than enough reasons to discover the crafts and cuisines of Shiga whenever you have time, its weekly events will give you an excuse to keep coming back for more. Experience regional flavors and local Japanese craftsmanship without ever leaving Tokyo, all the while gathering information for the time when you discover Shiga Prefecture in person.
Getting to COCOSHIGA
Getting to COCOSHIGA couldn’t be easier. Hop onto the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, or the Toei Asakusa Line and get off the train at Nihonbashi Station. If you leave the station via Exit B6 and B8, you’re only a couple of minutes away by foot.
If you’re coming from Tokyo Station, however—reached by local JR lines (Yamanote, Chuo, Keihin-Tohoku, Keiyo, Sobu, Ueno-Tokyo), the Tokyo Metro (Marunouchi, Tozai, Chiyoda, Hanzomon, Mita), and all major Shinkansen lines—it’s a six-minute walk from the Yaesu North Exit or Nihonbashi Exit.
When visiting Tokyo, be sure to stop by COCOSHIGA!
