Our short intensive course makes it easy for people working in restaurants, sake breweries and other local residents to acquire qualifications. Even Level 3, the highest level, can be achieved in just six days.
IMADEYA has been conducting sake seminars in English at IMADEYA GINZA and seminars for breweries in English, with the aim of further globalising the sake industry. In spring 2024, IMADEYA became the second school in Japan to be accredited by WSET (internationally recognised sake qualification) as a sake course provider.
IMADEYA's research into WSET qualification needs showed that people working in restaurants, sake breweries, and people living in rural areas have difficulty in obtaining qualifications because they find it difficult to attend classes on Saturdays and Sundays for several months at a time.
To support those people in obtaining qualifications, a short-term intensive course for the WSET Award in Sake will be established as the TERAKOYA IMADEYA ~WSET SAKE Class~. Short-term intensive courses are held mainly on weekdays. Even Level 3, the highest level, can be achieved in just six days. IMADEYA, which has been building solid relationships of trust with producers all over Japan for more than 60 years since its establishment and promoting the appeal of sake, will provide a systematic and easy-to-understand overview of the history and present day of sake.
Recommended For
Restaurants Workers (eg. store manager, sake lover)
"I have studied enough about sake to pass the WSET SAKE if I study the key points.
but it is hard to take weekends off"
Brewery Workers (toji, sake related workers)
"I want to obtain a world-standard qualification for the international expansion of sake.
But as I have a job and live in a rural area, it is difficult for me to commute to urban areas as often as I would like."
Local Residents (sake lovers)
"I like sake and am interested in qualifications.
However, it is not possible to attend classes over several days on weekends."
Those coming from abroad (travel combined, longer stays)
"I love sake and interested in the qualification, but it is time-consuming, costly and my schedule is too unpredictable to participate with a course schedule that requires me to travel to Japan several times."
TERAKOYA IMADEYA ~WSET SAKE Class~ Courses
level 1 - Beginner ￥40,500
For individuals new to the subject, this qualification offers a hands-on introduction to the world of sake. You'll explore the main styles and types of sake through sight, smell and taste to develop an understanding of the key factors affecting flavours and aromas. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.
It is intended for anyone wishing to learn about the different styles of sake and how they are made, as well as those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake.
For individuals seeking to develop their expertise in sake, this qualification will provide you with a detailed understanding of the production methods that affect the style, quality and price of sake. Upon completion you will be able to assess sakes accurately, and use this information and your understanding of sakes to make authoritative recommendations. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin, and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.
WSET is an internationally recognised qualification with 110,000 students per year in over 70 countries.
The WSET SAKE course, which enables students to learn about sake as a global standard of knowledge in the same way as wine, was launched at the London headquarters in 2014.
IMADEYA will become a WEST-accredited school in spring 2024 (the second school in Japan to offer SAKE courses) and is currently only offering SAKE courses as TERAKOYA IMADEYA ~WSET SAKE Class~, which currently offers only SAKE courses.
WSET SAKE
Within WSET, this qualification is aimed at a wide range of people, including those who want to learn more about sake, those who are already professionals and the many enthusiasts who are passionate about sake.
The course is divided into three levels, with the first level covering the basics of "What is sake?"" to the more specialised Level 3, which covers the sake making process and the characteristics of sake rice.
TERAKOYA IMADEYA ~WSET SAKE Class~ The only short intensive course in Japan, where even the most difficult level 3 can be obtained in as little as 6 days.
IMADEYA is officially accredited as a WSET (Wine and Spirits EducationTrust) course provider in 2024. It currently offers only sake classes and is the only school in Japan to offer an intensive course where even the most difficult Level 3 can be qualified in as little as six days.
The classes take place in an event space in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, while the exam is held at the Hakkaisan Tokyo office in Tsukiji.
Lecturer
Maksim Polkin
He holds a WSET-certified SAKE Educator qualification and knowledge and holds a sake seminar in English about once a month at IMADEYA GINZA. He also conducts English seminars for the sake breweries.
8 years' working experience in the sake industry
7 years' working experience in the whisky world
ENOTRIA Wine School (Moscow), sake and whisky teacher, 8 years.
Speakers at sake and Japanese whisky seminars (Russia, Ukraine, UK, Armenia, Georgia, Belarus).
WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) Level 3 Award in Sake - 2018
Is it possible to take Level 3 without taking Level 1 or 2?
It is possible. There are no application requirements for all levels, but you must be at least 20 years old at the time of enrollment. Level 3 is more specialized, so we recommend that you take Level 2 first, or study the basics of sake beforehand.
What method is used for the exam?
Level 1 consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, Level 2 consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, and Level 3 consists of 50 multiple-choice questions + written + tasting.
Can I receive study materials in advance?
Possible. Upon confirmation of payment, we will mail the course materials to your registered address. Please note that once you open the package, you will be charged 9,000 yen (tax included) for the course materials, even if you are eligible for a full refund under our cancellation policy. International shipping is available, however due to the duration of delivery time, we might send the study materials upon your arrival in Japan.
I have to miss a class or exam due to unavoidable circumstances. Is this a problem?
Please contact us once at "wset@imadeya.co.jp" as class attendance times and re-test dates vary for each level. If you miss an exam due to illness, the re-test fee will be waived upon submission of a doctor's certificate. Otherwise, please note that a separate re-test fee will be charged.
