We closed the application for 2023, if you are interested in this program for 2024,
please send your information from here.
We will inform you when we decide the schedule and content of the Sake making programu of 2024.

　

●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, rice and renewable energy.
Here, we offer the “Gakkogura Sake Making Program” for those who want to experience Sake making. This year, in addition to a One Week Course, we have introduced ≪21 Day Course≫ and ≪35 Day Course≫ for a longer and more authentic learning experience. If you are interested in this program, please check the following information below and apply.
*For more information about Gakkogura, please click here.
*On-site accommodation rooms and a cafe was established from summer 2022.
*The Gakkogura was certificated as the first so-called 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.

●Contents of Sake Making Program

The Sake Making Program includes an "One Week Course" that focuses on koji making and three-stage fermentation mash preparation,  "21 Day Course" that offers you from making the fermentation starter to the preparation of the three-stage fermentation mash and "35 Day Course" that focuses the KIMOTO sake production flow.

【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 brewing, 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 newly built 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 (with reception & overnight stay), potentially on day 2 or 4

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 noon.
＊Schedule is subject to change.
＊Other activities and optional tours are also available.

【SCHEDULE】

Class 1	Closed Applications 　26th May〜1th June
Class 2	Closed Applications 　12th June〜18th June
Class 3	Closed Applications 　26th June〜2nd July
Class 4	Closed Applications 　10th July〜16th July
Class 5	Closed Applications 　24th July〜30th July
Class 6	Closed Applications 　14th August〜20st August
Class 7	Closed Applications 　26th August〜1st September

【Details 】

The Participation fee：	80,000yen  ( tax included ). Includes the cost of work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, lodging for one night, and one reception parties.
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 examine your application carefully and we will contact you.

【Contents of the experience 】

In 21 days, participants will experience the sake production flow, from making the fermentation starter, making koji, which is the core of the sake production, to the preparation of the three-stage fermentation mash, through 2 shikomi.
During the program, participants will not only experience rice washing, soaking, steaming, koji making, and mashing, but also visit the local sake rice fields to understand the regional cycle. You will also receive an orientation session to understand the meaning of the whole production process, and experience a guided sake tasting session.
You will experience two evenings making koji, on which you stay overnight in a newly built room at the Gakkogura. Optionally the processes from fermentation mash management to pressing may be added.

　
《Specifics are as follows》

Day 1

Orientation, Steaming rice, Koji making (Fermentation starter koji)

Day 2

Koji making, Rice washing, Soaking, Koji making at night (with reception & overnight stay)

Day 3

Steaming Rice, Shubo-shikomi

Day 4-Day 14

Fermentation starter preparation

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 (with reception & overnight stay), potentially on day 17.

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-koji, 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 noon.
＊Schedule is subject to change.
＊Please note that there will be extremely little work on days 4 through 14, during which the fermentation starter is prepared.
There is a period that your program overlaps with participants of the 1-week sake brewing experience.

【Schedule】

Class 21 Days

Closed Applications 　26th June〜16th July

【Details 】

Participation Fee:	150,000 yen (tax included) Includes the cost of work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, lodging for two nights, and two reception parties.
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 participate for the entire 21 days. However as there will be little work during day 4 to day 14, if you have any requests, please let us know.

【How to apply 】

Please apply using the application form below. We will examine your application carefully and we will contact you.

【Contents of the experience 】

In 35 days, participants will experience the KIMOTO sake production flow, from making the fermentation starter, which is the core of the KIMOTO sake production, to the preparation of the three-stage fermentation mash.
During the program, participants will not only experience rice washing, soaking, steaming, koji making, and mashing, but also try "MOTO-SURI",which is unique to KIMOTO, and visit the local sake rice fields to understand the regional cycle. You will also receive an orientation session to understand the meaning of the whole production process, and experience a sake tasting session.
You will experience two evenings works, on which you stay overnight in a newly built room at the Gakkogura. Optionally the processes from fermentation mash management to pressing may be added.

　
《Specifics are as follows》

Day 1

Orientation, Steaming rice, Making Fermentation starter (night time "MOTO-SURI" work)

Day 2

Shubo-shikomi 2nd Day

Day 3-Day 28

Fermentation starter preparation

Day 29

Orientations, Steaming rice, Koji Making (Soe Koji, Naka Koji)

Day 30

Koji making, Rice washing, Soaking, Rice field tour
＊Koji making at night (with reception & overnight stay), potentially on day 31.

Day 31

Steaming, Koji making , Washing, Soaking

Day 32

Steaming, Soe-shikomi, Koji making

Day 33

Steaming rice, Odori, Rice washing, Soaking, Sake tasting

Day 34

Steaming rice, Naka-jikomi, Washing rice, Soaking rice

Day 35

Steaming rice, Tome-koji, 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 noon.
＊Schedule is subject to change.
＊Please note that there will be extremely little work on days 3 through 28, during which the fermentation starter is prepared.
There is a period that your program overlaps with participants of the 1-week sake brewing experience.

【Schedule】

Class 35 Days

Closed Applications 　17th July〜20th August

【Details 】

Participation Fee:	200,000 yen (tax included) Includes the cost of work clothes, a sake tasting seminar, aroma samples, lodging for two nights, and two reception parties.
Number of applicants:	few
Eligibility:	Healthy people 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 35 days. However as there will be little work during day 3 to day 28,if you have any requests, please let us know.

【How to apply 】

Please apply using the application form below. We will examine your application carefully and we will contact you.

 

《Precautions》

All applicants are required to agree to the following terms and conditions:

• The purpose of this program is to experience first hand Sake Making 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/two nights of lodging and the reception party).
• 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.
• 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 (two nights for the 21day course and the 35 day course). If you wish to stay overnight (at additional charge) on other days, please contact us.
• 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(14).

＊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 Corona virus 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 those who want to brew original sake≫

Original Sake making is also available. In case you would like to brew 1tank ( 2,000 bottles of 720ml) as your own sake, not just experience sakemaking, please let us know. Email:rumiko_obata@obata-shuzo.com

　

≪What happens next? ≫

• We will examine your application carefully and inform you about your application results.
• 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.