About 2025 Sake Brewing Program
‘Gakkogura Sake Brewing Experience Program 2024’ has finished.
Next year's program will take place between May to September 2025.
If you want information about the program 2025, please register your email.
We will send the email when we start accepting applications with a detailed schedule.
*The email will be sent to you around Jan in 2025.
●About Gakkogura
Gakkogura is OBATA SHUZO's 2nd sake brewery which was renovated from a closed elementary school. At Gakkogura, sake is brewed in summer with cool conditions, by using local rice and renewable energy.
Here, we offer the “Gakkogura Sake Brewing Program” for those who want to
experience Sake brewing.
This year, we offer a
≪One-Week Course≫,
in which you will experience
Seigiku (Making Koji) and Sandan-jikomi(three-stage preparation), and ≪W Course≫ ,in which you can
experience 2 one-week brewings and MOTO shikomi,and ≪My Sake course≫,
You will experience special experience with your original sake. If you are interested in these program, please check the following information below and apply.
*For more informations about Gakkogura, please click here.
*On-site accommodation rooms and a cafe were established 2022.
*The Gakkogura was certificated as the first Special Zone of Japanese Sake
in 2020.
*The Gakkogura was received the "Environmental Community Branding
Award "from the Ministry of the Environment's Good Life Award in 2022, and “the
Japan Philanthropy Special Award” in 2023.
●Contents of Sake Brewing Program
The Sake Brewing Program includes an "One-Week Course" that focuses on koji making and three-stage preparation, and "W course" that offers 2 different “one-week courses” and Moto shikomi of the KIMOTO sake, and “My Sake course”, you will obtain 100 bottles of the sake you experience in the production as your original sake.
《One-Week Course》Sake Brewing Program
【Contents of the experience】
The duration of the program is set at one week so that participants can experience the processes from koji making to three-stage
preparation, which is the core of sake production. In addition to the washing the rice, soaking, steaming, koji making, and brewing, there will also be a visit to the rice field to understand local circulation, an orientation to understand the meaning of each work, and a sake tasting session to experience professional sensory testing.
You will also experience one night of koji making. On that occasion, you will stay overnight in a accommodation room at the Gakkogura.
《Specifics are as follows.》
- Day 1
- Orientation, Steaming rice, Koji making
- Day 2
- Koji making, Rice washing, Soaking, Rice field tour
＊Koji making at night (overnight stay) - Day 3
- Steaming, Koji making, Washing, Soaking
- Day 4
- Steaming, Soe-shikomi, Koji making
- Day 5
- Odori,rice washing, soaking, Sake tasting
- Day 6
- Steaming rice, Naka-jikomi, Washing rice, Soaking rice.
- Day 7
- Steaming rice, Soe-shikomi, Graduation ceremony
＊The basic schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (may vary daily).
＊The last day ends around 2:00p.m.
＊Schedule is subject to change.
＊Other activities such as rice field visit are also prepared.
【SCHEDULE】
| Class 1 | Fully booked May 27 (Mon)~ June 2 (Sun) |
| Class 2 | Fully booked June 10 (Mon) ~ June 16 (Sun) |
| Class 3 | Fully booked June 24 (Mon) ~ June 30 (Sun) |
| Class 4 | Not Accepting July 8 (Mon) ~ July 14 (Sun) |
| Class 5* | Fully booked July 22 (Mon) ~ July 28 (Sun) |
| Class 6* | Fully booked August 5 (Mon) ~ August 11 (Sun) |
| Class 7 | My Sake Course August 26 (Mon) ~ September 1 (Sun) |
*In the 5 and 6 class, you may be with W course participants.
*In the 7class, My Sake course will takeplace.
【Details】
| The Participation fee： | 100,000yen ( tax included ). Includes the cost of work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, accomodation for one night, and one dinner. |
| Number of applicants: | About 4 |
| Eligibility: | Healthy person over 20 years old |
| Location: | Mainly at the Gakkogura (1871 Nishimikawa, Sado City) |
| Preparation: | Comfortable clothing |
| Conditions: | Participants are expected to participate for the entire week. |
【How to apply】
Please apply using the application form below. We will review your application carefully and we will contact you.
《W Course》Sake Brewing Program
【Contents of the experience】
In “W Course”, participants will experience the sake production flow, from making koji, which is the core of the sake production, to the preparation of the three-stage fermentation mash,
rice washing, soaking, steaming, koji making, and mashing, through 2 different One-week courses.
During the program, participants will also
experience the very special “MOTO”shikomi (Te-moto and Yamaoroshi)of KIMOTO sake. And you will
visit sake rice fields to understand the regional cycle & receive an orientation session to understand the whole production process, and experience a guided sake tasting session.
You will experience two evenings making koji, and one evening MOTO
shikomi on which
you stay overnight in a room at the Gakkogura.
《Specifics are as follows》
- Day 1
- Orientation, Steaming rice, Koji making
- Day 2
- Koji making, Rice washing, Soaking, Koji making at night (overnight stay)
- Day 3
- Steaming Rice, Shubo-shikomi
- Day 4
- Steaming Rice, Soe-shikomi, Koji making
- Day 5
- Odori, Rice washing, Soaking, Sake tasting
- Day 6
- Steaming Rice, Naka-jikomi, Washing rice, Soaking rice
- Day 7
- Steaming Rice, Tome-jikomi
- Day 8
- Moto shikomi (Te-moto)(overnight stay)
- Day 9
- Moto shikomi (Yamaoroshi)
- Day 10~Day 14
- Holiday
- Day 15
- Orientations, Steaming rice, Koji Making (Soe Koji, Naka Koji)
- Day 16
- Koji making, Rice washing, Soaking, Rice field tour
＊Koji making at night (overnight stay) - Day 17
- Steaming, Koji making , Washing, Soaking
- Day 18
- Steaming, Soe-shikomi, Koji making
- Day 19
- Odori, Rice washing, Soaking, Sake tasting
- Day 20
- Steaming rice, Naka-jikomi, Washing rice, Soaking rice
- Day 21
- Steaming rice, Tome-jikomi, Graduation ceremony
＊The basic schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but depending on the day,
＊The last day ends around 2:00p.m.
＊Schedule is subject to change.
＊The period of Day 10 to Day 14 is a holiday.
＊You may be with the participants of "One-week course"
【Schedule】
| W Course | Fully booked July 22～August 11 |
from July 31 to August 4 are holidays
【Details】
| Participation Fee: | 220,000 yen (tax included) Includes the cost of work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, accomodations for 3 nights, and two dinners. |
| Number of applicants: | few |
| Eligibility: | Healthy person over 20 years old |
| Location: | Mainly at the Gakkogura (1871 Nishimikawa, Sado City) |
| Preparation: | Comfortable clothing |
| Conditions: | Participants are expected to attend all but holidays |
【How to apply】
Please apply using the application form below. We will review your application carefully and we will contact you.
《My Sake Course》Sake Brewing Program
【Contents of the experience】
The duration of the program is set at one week so that participants can experience the
hands-on processes from koji making to three-stage preparation, which is the core of the sake production, You will experience washing the rice, soaking, steaming, koji making, brewing and a sake tasting session to experience professional sensory testing.
You will experience a night of koji making. On that occasion, you will stay
overnight in a accommodation room at Gakkogura on the 2nd night.
The program also includes a tour to learn about the local terroire, a visit to a
sake rice field to understand the local cycle, a pairing dinner and other
special experiences. Also you will challenge to make your original "My Sake".
《Specifics are as follows》
- Day 1
- Orientation, Steaming rice, Koji making, welcome dinner
- Day 2
- Koji making, Rice washing, Soaking, Rice field tour
＊Koji making at night (overnight stay) - Day 3
- Steaming, Koji making, Washing, Soaking
- Day 4
- Steaming, Soe-shikomi, Koji making ,Sake tasting
- Day 5
- Odori, Rice washing, Soaking, Local tour
- Day 6
- Steaming rice, Naka-jikomi, Washing rice, Soaking rice,Pairing Dinner
- Day 7
- Steaming rice, Soe-shikomi, Graduation ceremony
＊The basic schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (may
vary daily)
＊The last day ends around 2:00p.m.
＊Schedule is subject to change.
＊Other activities such as
making Sake liquor and making original label are also prepared.
【Schedule】
| My Sake Course | Accepting Applications August 26(Mon)～1 September(Sun) |
【Details】
| The participation fee | 300,000 yen (tax included) Includes the cost of work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, accommodation for one night. One welcome dinner,One pairing dinner, My Sake(excluding delivery) *The timing of providing sake will be in the fall or later. |
| Number of applicants: | About 4 ~ 5 |
| Eligibility: | Healthy person over 20 years old |
| Location: | Mainly at the Gakkogura (1871 Nishimikawa, Sado City) |
| Preparation: | Comfortable clothing |
| Conditions: | Participants are required to come to Gakkogura (or Obata shuzo) everyday (except the 3rd morning as the participants will stay overnight on the 2nd day) on their own. Participants are responsible for arranging their own accomodation, transport arrangements for travel and any meals which are not included in the program. |
【How to apply】
Please apply using the application form below. We will review your application carefully and we will contact you.
We closed the application for 2024, if you are interested in this program for 2025,
please send your information from here.
We will inform you when we decide the schedule and content of the Sake making programu of 2025.
《CONDITIONS》
All applicants are required to agree to the following terms and conditions:
- The purpose of this program is to experience first hand Sake Brewing with the brewers and to acquire deeper knowledge of sake and its terroir.
- We prioritize experience rather than the common way of learning.
- The purpose of this program is to gain a deeper understanding of sake and the area where it is produced through hands-on sake brewing with brewers. The focus is on practical experience rather than classical classroom learning.
- Those coming from outside of Sado Island will need to pay separately for meals, transportation, and lodging (apart from included one/three nights accomodation).
- There are cases in which the schedule is changed without prior notice.
- The schedule may vary from day to day. During free time, you may do as you please.
- Basically, participants are supposed to attend the whole program except holidays of《W Course》.
- Participants are strongly recommended to follow brewer’s directions all the time to avoid any problems.
- Please wear clean, comfortable clothing. Note that some work will be done both in cold and hot environments.
- Perfume, nail polish and smoking are prohibited at Gakkogura.
- If participant have fever not lower than 37.5 and/or severe coughing, participants must refrain from participating.
- Depending on the social situation, participants may be asked to provide and are required to wear masks.
- In case you don’t have a car/ rental car, transportation is provided from Obata Shuzo ( our main brewery) to Gakkogura and vice versa only. We recommend you stay in a hotel/ryokan which is easy aceessible to Obata Shuzo(address: 449, Manoshinmachi, Sado-city) expect the day of staying at Gakkogura .
- One night of lodging (3 nights of W course) at the Gakkogura is included in the participation fee. If you wish to stay overnight on other days (additional fee will be charged) please let us know.
- Pictures and videos will be taken during the program for promotion purposes and participants are supposed to be part of the pictures and videos which will be used for SNS / promotion videos / YouTube / magazine etc. All portrait rights belong to Obata Shuzo.
- Depending on the social situation, you may be asked to submit a PCR test report at your own expense.
- You will be expected to submit a report after the program.
- There is no interpreter. In case you wish to bring an interpreter, please mention it in Application Form(15).
＊You will be notified 2 weeks prior to the starting day of each batch in case of cancellation. But there will be still possibilities we should make sudden cancellations due to the
social situation even just before starting day. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
＊Please note that your transportation, accommodation will not be covered if a cancellation occurs.
To participants other than 《My Sake course》
- If you would like to make the Sake your original, please fill in the application form No.16.
Minimum 48 bottles. Sake fee will be charged separately.
≪What happens next? ≫
- We will examine your application carefully and inform you about your application results.
- Due to many enquiries we receive, we may not be able to meet all requests.
We would appreciate your understanding in advance. - f you are selected as one of the participants, your participation will be officially confirmed upon payment of the participation fee and submission of your photo ID.
- We will contact the participants with further details.