We are now accepting the application of Gakkogura's Sake Brewing Program 2024.
If you would like to apply, please check the following and submit your application here.

※At the moment, class 1 〜class 6 are fully booked and only class 7( My Sake course) is available. If you want to apply for the waiting list, please send the application form and mention which class you would prefer to be placed on the waiting list in the (15) .

 

●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 obtain 100 bottles of the 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.

About Sake Brewing program in 30 seconds

《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.

1week key point

【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"

20days key point

【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 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 on night of koji making. On that occasion, you will stay overnight in a accommodation room at Gakkogura.
The program also includes a tour to learn about the local terroire, a visit to a sake rice field to understand the local cycle, and a pairing dinner. The final goal is for participants to take 100 bottles of sake as their original "My Sake" that they were involved in.

 
《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
Day 5
Odori, Rice washing, Soaking, Local tour, Sake Tasting
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 original label are also prepared.

20days key point

【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,100bottles of My Sake(excluding delivery)
*The timing of the delivery of sakes 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 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.


 

《OPTION》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.


If you would like to apply for the Sake Brewing Programme, Please read the following instructions carefully and apply using the below application form.
We will review your application carefully and will contact you.

【Application Form】

Fields marked with * are required.

(1) Name*
(2) Occupation*
(3) Date of birth/age
(Must be 20 years of age or older)*
/ /
age :
(4) Gender*
(5) Nationnality*
(6) Your address*
(7) Email address*
(8) Phone number*
(Cell phone number if available)
(9) Desired program*
1st choice :
2nd choice :
If you only have one preferred period, please select the same period in all preference boxes.
The application form cannot be submitted unless all options selected.
(10) Self-introduction*
(1200 characters or less)
(11) Motivation for applying*
(1200 characters or less)
(12) Please describe if you have any certification related to sake / wine / beer
(13) Languages spoken
(Multiple answers allowed)

Other : (Please specify)
(14) Car*

Other :
(15) Pre-existing medical conditions, allergies, dietary restrictions(vegetarian, vegan, etc.), any other questions.
(16)My original Sake
(17) Do you agree to the terms and conditions listed below?*

Handling of Personal Information
Your personal information will be used only for the purpose of responding to your inquiries, contacting you, and providing you with information about our services. It will not be used for any other purpose. We will not provide your personal information to any third party without your consent.

《CONDITIONS》

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

*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》

 

≪What happens next? ≫