Sake Scholar Course Japan
March 15-18, 2027 Konishi Sake Brewery, Itami, Hyogo Prefecture
This is the first Sake Scholar Course to be held in Japan! This course will feature a full three days of class, curated tastings and an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. In addition, on day four, students will get to visit Konishi Sake Brewery with an extensive tour, and an opportunity to explore Itami, the sake world’s first sake region.
The Sake Scholar Course covers the 47 prefectures that comprise Japan, exploring the regionality of each through the lens of sake and shochu, and by exploring their history, geography, ingredients, and sake making techniques. There will be numerous tastings (case studies) of sake to support and explore the presence of regionality (or absence of) at the macro and micro levels that can exist within the realm of Japanese sake. The core body of knowledge is crucial to understanding Japan’s key producing regions and learning about some of its principal sake breweries. The course will ultimately complement your sake knowledge and enhance your ability to sell, purchase or simply enjoy sake.
About Konishi Sake Brewery
Konishi Shuzō was established in 1550 and is Japan's oldest sake brewery still owned and operated by the same family — Shintarō Konishi, the current president, represents the 15th generation. The Konishi family originally sold medicinal herbs, with sake brewing developing alongside that business before becoming the company's primary trade in the early 17th century. Itami itself holds a special place in sake history as one of the towns credited with pioneering seishu (clear, filtered sake) in the early Edo period, marking a decisive break from the cloudy doburoku that had preceded it — the transition that effectively created the sake style we recognize today. As Edo (modern Tokyo) grew into Japan's political center, Itami's brewers, Konishi among them, built shipping networks to send sake there by horseback and later by sea, and by the late 17th century Konishi had established its own wholesale trading operation in Edo. The brewery's flagship brand, Shirayuki ("White Snow"), dates to the 1630s and remains one of the oldest continuously produced sake brands in Japan. Konishi is also credited with inventing the horn cask used historically to transport sake. Standing in this brewery, students will be standing in a place steeped in sake history.
Sake Scholar Course Cost: $1350 CAD (~$952 USD*). Includes tour, one lunch and a dinner at Konishi Sake Brewery. Accommodations are not included. Instructor: Michael Tremblay
DAY ONE - 9:00AM-3:00PM
DAY TWO - 9:00AM-4:00PM
DAY THREE - 9:00AM-4:00PM DAY FOUR - Tour of Konishi Sake Brewery and Itami
Final Exam (online) Wednesday, May 19 (students can write the exam any time on the 19th in their timezone).
Course Prerequisites: A minimum of one of the following: Sake Professional Course (SPC) Advanced Sake Professional (ASP) WSET Level 2 Award in Sake WSET Level 3 Award in Sake International Kikizake-shi (SSI) Sake Diploma (J.S.A) Certified Sake Sommelier (SSA) Sake Basics & Beyond (SSC) *Available online
Textbooks: Course textbooks will be presented on Day One of the course.
Exam: This is an advanced program of study. As such, a thorough understanding of sake is required (see pre-requisites above). The examination consists of a 100 question Multiple Choice test with a minimum 75% mark to pass. The exam is held online,
Cancellation and Refund Policy: A refund of 50% of the tuition minus a $150 administration fee for withdrawal prior to January 1, 2027. There are no refunds for withdrawal after January 1, 2027. All course materials are paid upon registration, and are non-refundable. Should the course be cancelled due to any pandemic-related circumstances, a full refund minus a $50 credit card processing fee, will be refunded immediately.
Refunds on tuition are in Canadian dollars. Currency rates might affect the total refund allotted.
*Tuition is paid in CAD. USD price may fluctuate based on exchange rate.
