A Brewery That Makes Every Sake with Daiginjo Methods

How Toyama’s Fumigiku Sake Brewery Secured No. 2 at Kura Master 2026

Sake breweries take many paths. Some refine a single label to perfection; some embrace the ephemeral with seasonal releases; others compete through the sheer magnitude of scale. Fumigiku Sake Brewery, established in 1916 in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, departs from these conventional paths. Their core philosophy is as uncompromising as it is distinct: “We instill the exquisite care of daiginjo brewing into every single drop we craft.”

Honoring the Collective over the Singular

In April 2026, the celebrated Kura Master competition marked its 10th anniversary in Paris, France. It was here that Fumigiku Sake Brewery was honored as the runner-up in the prestigious overall “Best Brewery” category. This distinction looks past individual, standalone triumphs, evaluating instead the collective caliber of multiple expressions submitted by a single house.

The accolade was mirrored by the standout performances of individual labels under Fumigiku’s premier brand, “Haneya.” While the “Diamond Omachi” secured a Platinum Award, the “Junmai Ginjo Classic,” “MOONLIGHT BEAUTY,” and “Junmai Ginjo Hattan-nishiki” were each distinguished with Gold Awards. This continuous streak follows the 2025 Jury Prize awarded to “Haneya Junmai Ginjo Tominoka.” To earn acclaim for a singular bottle is a feat; to have an entire portfolio validated simultaneously speaks to an exceptional, uniform standard of mastery.

A Commitment to Daiginjo Methods in Every Sake

Fumigiku Sake Brewery’s defining narrative is rooted in an egalitarian view of craftsmanship: every sake is made with the same care and methods used for daiginjo.

Intricate techniques used mainly in daiginjo brewing｜such as gentei kyusui (limited water absorption, where moisture is calibrated down to the exact second) and hako-koji or futa-koji (the meticulous cultivation of koji in micro-containers)｜are applied universally across all labels, including their junmai ginjo and tokubetsu junmai. This rigorous approach is sustained year-round within a climate-controlled environment, with every sake stored under refrigeration after bottling. Applying these methods across all labels, rather than reserving them for selected bottles, has contributed to recognition of the brewery as a whole.

Snowmelt and the Lineage of Keiki Hane

At the heart of this consistency is the water｜a pristine, soft subterranean flow from the Joganji River system, fed by the snowmelt of the Tateyama Mountain Range. Filtering through the earth over time before emerging on the Toyama Plain, it tethers the liquid intimately to its terroir.

Guiding this process is Keiki Hane, who serves as both owner and toji (master brewer). The flagship brand “Haneya” carries his family name on the label, bridging the identity of the artisan with the spirit of the bottle. This enduring devotion has earned Fumigiku a spot in the top tiers of the World Sake Brewery Ranking for six consecutive years, ranking 11th in 2025. Their craft has quietly graced JAL lounges, the premium cabins of ANA, and the Imperial Hotel.

A Narrative That Resonates in Bangkok

Sharing the story of a single label and sharing the story of an entire brewery require beautifully distinct nuances. One captures a momentary sensory experience; the other chronicles the unbroken continuity of a philosophy.

When introducing Fumigiku in Bangkok, the brewery’s No. 2 ranking in Kura Master’s Best Brewery category offers a perspective alongside the awards won by individual labels. It helps tell a story about the brewery’s sustained philosophy, beyond the qualities of any one bottle. Recognition across several labels may gradually find a natural place in discussions of sake culture in Bangkok. (Mr. Bacchus)

This article is intended solely to explore the brewing philosophy and cultural heritage of Fumigiku Shuzo (the producer of the Haneya brand) and does not aim to promote or encourage the consumption of alcohol. / บทความนี้จัดทำขึ้นเพื่อนำเสนอข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับปรัชญาการผลิตและมรดกทางวัฒนธรรมของโรงสาเก Fumigiku Shuzo (ผู้ผลิตแบรนด์ Haneya) เท่านั้น มิได้มีเจตนาเพื่อส่งเสริมหรือโฆษณาเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮอล์ สำหรับผู้มีอายุ 20 ปีขึ้นไป โปรดดื่มอย่างรับผิดชอบ

Related Articles

“Wings of Devotion” / “Secrets of Haneya : How Haneya Brewery is Redefining Premium Sake Craftsmanship” / “Why the World Chooses IWC Winners: What the IWC Reveals About Award-Winning Sake Today” / “2024 IWC SAKE Winners” / “Crafting Excellence”

Related Product(s)

HANEYA Prism Junmai-Ginjo Non-filter Nama-Genshu / HANEYA Tokubetsu Junmai / HANEYA Kirabi Junmai-Ginjo Nama-Genshu / HANEYA Tsubasa Junmai-Daiginjo Nama / HANEYA Daiginjo Tobin Gakoi