Hanano Mai Brewery | 花の舞酒造 - Sake Online

About Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Prefecture, situated along the Pacific coast of Japan, is a captivating region that beautifully marries natural beauty with rich cultural heritage. Nestled in the Chubu region, Shizuoka is renowned for its stunning landscapes, which include the iconic Mount Fuji, lush tea fields, and picturesque coastlines. The name "Shizuoka" suggests tranquility, a fitting descriptor for its serene environment that attracts both nature lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Home to the historic city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka boasts a wealth of historical sites, including the impressive Hamamatsu Castle and the sacred Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. The prefecture's cultural offerings are further enriched by its famed tea production, particularly its green tea, which is celebrated for its quality and flavor.

Shizuoka's culinary scene is equally impressive, showcasing a variety of local specialties such as shizuoka oden (a unique style of oden featuring a rich broth) and fresh seafood from its abundant coastline. The prefecture also embraces innovation, particularly in the fields of technology and music, with Hamamatsu being recognized as a center for musical instrument manufacturing.

As Shizuoka continues to develop, it remains a vibrant destination where visitors can explore its historical roots while enjoying the wonders of nature and contemporary living. With its blend of tradition and modernity, Shizuoka embodies the spirit of Japan, offering a unique glimpse into the country’s diverse landscape.

About Hananomai

The name “Hana no Mai” translates to “Dance of the Flowers”, a traditional celebration of the harvest in ancient times.

Hananomai Brewery carries this legacy forward, crafting exceptional sake in a historic brewery that has stood for over 150 years. With an unwavering commitment to local ingredients, Hananomai sources 100% of its rice and water exclusively from Shizuoka Prefecture, a region renowned for its pristine natural resources and ideal rice-growing conditions.

In its pursuit of innovation, Hananomai has introduced Hananomai Abyss, a groundbreaking sake that breaks traditional boundaries. Inspired by the concept of pairing sake with Western cuisine, this sake is fermented using white wine yeast from Chablis, Burgundy, instead of conventional sake yeast.

The result is a unique, refined expression of Japanese sake, offering vibrant acidity, subtle bitterness, and evolving complexity with temperature changes.

Brewery Toji

Born in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shintaro Kamae developed an early fascination with sake, inspired by his grandfather’s love for it. His passion led him to Tokyo University of Agriculture, where he studied brewing science. During his time there, a hands-on internship at a sake brewery in Nagano prefectuer,solidified his decision to pursue a career in sake making.

In 2013, Kamae began his brewing journey at a sake brewery in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, gaining invaluable experience. By 2017, he returned to his home region, joining Hananomai Brewing Co. His expertise and innovative approach quickly set him apart, leading to his appointment as Toji (Master Brewer) in 2020—an exceptionally young age for the role.

Despite the challenges of stepping into leadership, Kamae’s first major brewing project as Toji resulted in Hananomai’s Daiginjo sake winning the prestigious Gold Prize at the 2021 National New Sake Appraisal, marking the brewery’s fifth consecutive win (excluding 2019, when no gold prizes were awarded due to COVID-19). Dedicated to innovation while respecting tradition, Kamae has introduced modern brewing techniques, such as using smaller fermentation tanks, allowing for greater control and seasonal variations in sake production.

His vision is to refine and elevate Hananomai’s sake, maintaining its signature quality while embracing new approaches to enhance flavor and craftsmanship.