Gakkogura ”Sake Brewing
Program 2026" Schedule and outline.
This Program 2026 will be held between late May and early September 2026, as outlined below.
●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
resources and renewable energy.
Here, we offer the “Gakkogura Sake Brewing Program” for those who want to
experience Sake brewing.
*For more informations about Gakkogura, please click here.
*On-site accommodation rooms and a cafe available.
*The Gakkogura was certificated as the first Special Zone of Japanese Sake
in 2019.
*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.
●2026 Program schedule
This year's Sake Brewing Program consist of the following three programs.
(1) Sake Brewing Experience Program × 5 classes
1week
Sake Brewing Experience, focusing primarily on hands-on activities
(2) Advanced Course × 1 class
1week Sake Brewing Experience inclludes 2days expert's lectures
(3) Sakeology Professional Certificate Program ×1 class
Offered in collaboration with the Niigata University Sakeology Center.
※Applications for this program (3) are accepted
at Niigata University Sakeology Cernter.
《Schedule》
| Class 1 | Sake Brewing Experience program | May 25 (Mon) - May 31 (Sun) |
| Class 2 | Sake Brewing Experience program | June 8 (Mon) - June 14 (Sun) |
| Class 3 | Sake Brewing Experience program | June 22 (Mon) - June 28 (Sun) |
| Class 4 | Advanced Course | July 6 (Mon) - July 12 (Sun) |
| Class 5 | Sake Brewing Experience program | July 20 (Mon) - July 26 (Sun) |
| Class 6 | Sake Brewing Experience program | August 3（Mon) - August 9(Sun) |
| Class 7 | Sakeology Professional Certificate Program |
August 24(Mon) - August 30(Sun) |
| Class 8 | Not Open | August 31(Mon) - September 6(Sun) |
Outline of Each Program
1week Sake Brewing Program
【Outline】
The program is set at one week long 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
late night 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, Welcome dinner
- Day 2
- Koji making, Rice washing, Soaking, Rice field tour
＊Koji making at late 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 daily schedule may vary.
＊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 | May 25 (Mon)~ May 31 (Sun) |
| Class 2 | June 8 (Mon) ~ June 14 (Sun) |
| Class 3 | June 22(Mon) ~ June 28 (Sun) |
| Class 4 | Advanced Course |
| Class 5 | July 20 (Mon) ~ July 26 (Sun) |
| Class 6 | August 8(Mon) ~ August 9 (Sun) |
| Class 7 | Sakeology Certificate Program |
| Class 8 | Not open |
【Details】
| The Participation fee： | 120,000yen ( tax included ). Includes the cost of work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, accomodation for one night and one dinner. (*The participation fee does not include transportation costs to Gakkogura / Obata Shuzo, accommodation costs excluding one night's stay, or meal expenses excluding 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.
(※Selection is not based on a first-come, first served basis. However, we recommend early applying.)
1week Sake Brewing Program《Advanced Course》
【Outline】
The program is set at one week long 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.
The advanced course also includes lectures(※) on sake brewing and Q&A session by the former head of the Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute on the 4th & 5th days.
You will experience one late night of koji making. On that occasion, you will stay overnight in a accommodation room at the Gakkogura.
* this lecture can be translated into English.
《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 late night (overnight stay) - Day 3
- Steaming, Koji making, Washing, Soaking
- Day 4
- Steaming, Soe-shikomi, Koji making, Lectures on Sake Brewing
- Day 5
- Odori, rice washing, soaking, Lectures on Sake Brewing, Sake tasting
- Day 6
- Steaming rice, Naka-jikomi, Washing rice, Soaking rice.
- Day 7
- Steaming rice, Soe-shikomi, Graduation ceremony
＊The daily schedule may vary.
＊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 4 | July 6 (Mon) ~ July 12 (Sun) |
【Details】
| The Participation fee： | 150,000yen ( tax included ). Includes the cost of Logical lectures, work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, accomodation for one night and one dinner. (*The participation fee does not include transportation costs to Gakkogura / Obata Shuzo, accommodation costs excluding one night's stay, or meal expenses excluding 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.
(※Selection is not based on a first-come, first served basis. However, we recommend early applying.)
Niigata University 《2026 Sakeology Professional Certificate Program 》
【Program Outline】
This program, hosted by Niigata University Sakeology Center, is designed for working professionals, including sake brewing practitioners, those currently working in brewing organizations,, or who plan to start a business related to the production of sake outside Japan.
In the 2026 academic year, it will be held from August 20 to 30, and consists of Sakeology lectures and practices.
Lectures and some practices will be held at Niigait University Igarashi campus, Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute, sake breweries and brewing related organizations. And as part of practice, an immersive 1 week sake brewing experience will be held at Gakkogura from Aug 24 to Aug 30, guided by toji and experts from the Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute and brewing-related companies.
Those interested in this program should refer to 《 Launch of 2026 Certificate Program, "Sakeology Professional Program (Sakeology-P1)"》 in the official website of Niigata University Sakeology Center.
Details regarding the 2026 program will be announced on the website in mid-February 2026. Please check the website regularly for updates and apply directly.
*Photo from last year's program
Application Form
If you would like to apply for the Sake Brewing Programme,
Please read the following instructions
and conditions carefully and apply using the below
application form.
We will review your application carefully and will contact you.
Fields marked with * are required.
《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. Applicants must already have a basic knowledge of sake.
- 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 .
- 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.Those who do not follow the rules will not be allowed to participate.
- 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 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.
- You will be expected to submit a report after the program.
- There is no interpreter except for stated. 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 who request a certain amount of final sake
- If you would like to purchase a certain amount of final sake, please mention it in the form No.16 or let us know during the program.
≪What happens next? ≫
- We will examine your application carefully and inform you about your application results within 1 to 2 months. Selection will be based on your motivation, experience and so on.
- 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.
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