Shiga Prefecture Otsu sweets cafe “Shikioriori” – Composer Kazutomo Yamamoto will be providing background music throughout the year to celebrate the cafe’s 3rd anniversary

Shiga Prefecture’s Otsu Sweets Cafe “Shiki-Oriyo” – To celebrate its 3rd anniversary, composer Kazutomo Yamamoto will be providing background music throughout the year. ​
Shirobara Hyakugeisha Co., Ltd. Press Release: September 19, 2025 “Shiki-Oriyo,” a sweets cafe in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, celebrates its third anniversary with composer Kazutomo Yamamoto providing background music throughout the year. He composed a total of 12 songs depicting the four seasons. Featuring local performers, we offer a special experience that combines music and sweets.
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sweets cafe Shikiori (5-13-17 Aoyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture) sweets cafe Shikiori (5-13-17 Aoyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture) … To celebrate its third anniversary, cafe “Shiki-Ori-Ori” will be introducing original background music by composer Kazutomo Yamamoto. The 12 songs that will begin playing on Thursday, November 13, 2025, are newly written pieces with the themes of winter, spring, summer, and autumn. The music, performed by musicians with ties to the local area, will resonate with the store’s sweets, providing customers with a special experience. A total of 12 songs based on the four seasons were produced. Shiki-oroshi, a sweets cafe in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, is collaborating with Shirobara Hyakugeisha Co., Ltd. to celebrate its third anniversary on Thursday, November 13, 2025, with composer Kazutomo Yamamoto providing background music throughout the year. The newly composed works are a total of 12 songs themed around the four seasons. Winter (November 13, 2025, 3rd anniversary start – February 2026) Snow Peace for alto saxophone, percussion, and piano i) Kazehana ii) Orion iii ) Cotton Hat Spring (March – May 2026) Petal Piece for Koto, Percussion, and Piano i) Rain of Flowers ii) Evening Mist iii ) Red Plum Blossoms Summer (June-August 2026) Breezepiece for Flute and Percussion Quartet i) Kusabue (Japanese Flute) ii) Sand Parasol iii ) Firefly Lights ������ Autumn (September – November 2026) Moonpiece for Violin, Flute, Guitar, and Percussion i) White Dew ii) Colors of the Wind iii ) Starry Night The musical arrangements and tones, which change with the seasons, resonate with the store’s concept, delicately enhancing the beauty of the sweets and providing customers with a special experience. A number of talented artists with ties to Shiga will be participating in the performances. We aim to promote a music culture rooted in the local community and create new cultural value through our stores.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-1373ccd2e31088da052f676e26aa7b69-2048×1534.png A place where the changing seasons become even more charming The fusion of the different fields of music and sweets will provide customers with a special experience that goes beyond simply tasting something. Original background music plays throughout the store, enhancing the entire space, evolving into a place where customers can experience new discoveries and enjoyment with every visit.
Furthermore, by employing artists with ties to Shiga, the store will widely promote local culture and serve as a hub for supporting local artistic activities. Shiki-Orobi will continue to welcome you as a fascinating place where you can not only enjoy sweets, but also encounter local culture.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-1b8fbbd4e54933c613d90070606e9964-1536×2048.png Composer profile
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-8d8cc02c192e3732e53bd91faa1980c8-1200×960.jpg Kazutomo Yamamoto (composer) (C) Jorgen Axelvall Kazutomo Yamamoto (Composer) Self-taught in composition. His composing activities span a wide range of fields, including orchestral, chamber, ensemble, choral, solo, and film music. He has received high acclaim both in Japan and abroad, including first place in the 2006 Molinari International Composition Award (Canada), first place in the 2007 AIC/Mostly Modern International Composition Competition (Ireland), second place in the 2009 Toru Takemitsu Composition Award, the 5th JFC Composition Award in 2010, and the Encouragement Award at the 2011 TOKYO EXPERIMENTAL FESTIVAL. In 2020, he premiered an orchestral work at the Suntory Summer Festival, where it was well received. Since 2009, he has produced the “Special Music Festival,” which has attracted a wide audience, not just contemporary music fans. He is a part-time lecturer at Wako University’s Faculty of Expression Studies. Performer Profiles (Alphabetical Order)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-41039c26a4323e281363dabc6375e4cc-1800×2700.jpg Miyako Asue (koto) Miyako Asue (koto) She began playing the koto at the age of three under the guidance of her grandmother, Onaka Katsuko. She studied under Yoshizaki Katsuhiko. She passed the NHK Japanese Music Audition. She has received numerous awards, including the Hase Kengyo Memorial National Japanese Music Competition Excellence Award, the Heiwado Foundation Arts Encouragement Award, and the Kyoto Art Festival Arts Festival Award. She has performed a wide variety of music internationally, in countries such as Italy and France. She is a permanent director of the Musica A International Music Association. She is a part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Education, Fukui University.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-22ab6215ca2150b5f0a0f6d3d15f2c19-1024×1536.jpg Takashi Okuno (guitar) Takashi Okuno (Guitar) Graduated from Elisabeth University of Music. He has honed his skills by participating in guitar festivals both in Japan and abroad. He has won numerous competitions. He also devotes himself to mentoring the next generation of musicians at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts and other institutions.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-2c3b9b21b9282279fcba5e2d0e9346a7-853×1280.jpg Chinatsu Kobayashi (piano) Chinatsu Kobayashi (piano) Graduated from the Faculty of Music at Kyoto City University of Arts. Received the Heiwado Foundation Arts Encouragement Award (Music Division) in 2009 and the Otsu City Cultural Encouragement Award in 2024. Currently, she performs a wide range of music, including solo, accompaniment, and chamber music. She is a member of the Musica A International Music Association.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-eb6d1430931118129e956d08a9cbd61b-1352×2032.jpg Makie Takagi (percussion instrument) Machie Takagi (Percussion) Graduated from the Music Department of Shiga Prefectural Ishiyama High School and Kyoto City University of Arts. Completed the university’s graduate school. Received the Excellence Award and Takahashi Pearl Award at the 6th Kobe International Music Competition. Received the Heiwado Foundation Arts Encouragement Award in 2004. Part-time instructor at Nara Prefectural Takamado Art High School. Instructor at Studio Piccolo. Instructor at Zen-On Instrumental Music. Part-time instructor at Meisei Junior and Senior High School.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-081cfff68be84df63e68683bff6ebf56-1000×1500.jpg Ranna Taniguchi (Alto Saxophone) Ranna Taniguchi (Alto Saxophone) Graduated from the Faculty of Music at Kyoto City University of Arts and completed a master’s degree at the Zurich University of the Arts. She has received numerous awards, including the Grand Prize at the 23rd Shiga Prefecture New Artist Concert and the Mainichi Shimbun Award in the Music Division of the 38th Kyoto Art Festival. She has studied under Akiko Jinnai, Sadahito Kunisue, Nobuya Sugawara, Makoto Hondo, and Lars Mreks.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-ab81a76f7ce9cdf40c9679c5b65bf3ef-683×1024.jpg Tomoe Nakaji (percussion instrument) Tomoe Nakaji (Percussion) Graduated from the Music Department of Shiga Prefectural Ishiyama High School and the Faculty of Music, Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts, majoring in Percussion. Received the Heiwado Foundation Arts Encouragement Award and the Shiga Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award. Part-time lecturer at the Music Department of Shiga Prefectural Ishiyama High School and the Faculty of Music, Soai University.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-5709e7f7b8e143d1dd527f5473ad843e-768×1152.jpg Mariko Nishioka (Percussion) Mariko Nishioka (Percussion) As a trainee for emerging artists sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, she graduated from the Freiburg University of Music and the Basel University of Music. She was a finalist and recipient of a special prize in the percussion category at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She has performed concertos with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra. She has received numerous awards, including the Darmstadt International Contemporary Music Seminar, the Japan Wind and Percussion Competition, and the Heiwado Foundation Arts Encouragement Award.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-499c7816f0e05ce07dc18b9bfeec32d6-333×500.png Mieko Nishioka (Percussion) Mieko Nishioka (percussion instrument) Graduated from the Music Department of Shiga Prefectural Ishiyama High School and the Music Department of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts. Completed the Special Training Course at Musashino Academia Musicae. Member of Ensemble Kitomm and Duo Cosmo. Studied under Akira Kitagawa, Mitsuru Nakatani, and Yasunori Yamaguchi.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-529624dd650e85edd4bd055cbf6a13a5-1800×2700.jpg Marina Nishikawa (Violin) Marina Nishikawa (Violin) Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Music High School and completed her master’s program at the same university. Traveled to Germany as a recipient of the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists. Receiving a grant from the Rohm Music Foundation, she graduated top of her class from the Berlin University of the Arts Diploma Program. Former assistant concertmaster of the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra. Lecturer at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-b47e9d0b72516533fde1b27f5ee93888-1721×2591.jpg Kaori Wakabayashi (flute) Kaori Wakabayashi (Flute) After graduating from the Music Department of Ishiyama High School, she graduated from the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts. She completed her studies at the Strasbourg Conservatory and the Svizzera Italiana Conservatory. She has received numerous awards, including the Shiga Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Heiwado Foundation Arts Encouragement Award, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival Award New Artist Award in the Music Division. She is a flute player with the Ensemble Kujoyama. As a member of Sounds Up!, she hosts a concert for children from 0 years old, called “Circus Tent Concert.” Store information
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124205/10/124205-10-6f80a8c32986cd29ca4feca1b3c4a350-2048×2048.png sweets cafe four seasons Address: 5-13-17 Aoyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture Business Hours: 10:00-18:00 Closed: Wednesdays Access: 15 minutes by car from JR Minami-Kusatsu Station / 5 minutes by car from Kusatsu-Tagami Interchange on the Shin-Meishin Expressway Instagram: @shikioriori720 https://www.instagram.com/shikioriori720
Planning/Inquiries
Shirobara Hyakugeisha Co., Ltd. Shirobara Hyakugeisha Co., Ltd. In charge: Kanegae Phone: 03-6265-1926 Email: info@shirobara-artisan.com Web: https://shirobara-artisan.com For more information about this release Press release attachments