Gakkogura ”Sake Brewing Program 2026" Schedule and outline.
This Program 2026 will be held between late May and early September 2026, as outlined below.
We will start accepting applications that will open on Monday, February 16(Japan time).

　

●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】

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】

Applications will be accepted starting February 16, 2026. The application form will be available on this website on the same day. (※Selection is not based on a first-come, first served basis. However, we recommend early applying.)

　

【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】

Applications will be accepted starting February 16, 2026. The application form will be available on this website on the same day.(※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

　

Photo Library