From August 21 to 31, 2025, the Sakeology Center launched the FY2025 certificate program “Sakeology Professional Program (Sakeology-P1)” (*).
Four enrolled students from the United States, New Zealand, and Italy attended lectures and practical training sessions at the Sakeology Center, the Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute, local sake breweries, and rice polishing facilities.

Lecture by Dai Hirata, Ph.D., Vice Director of Sakeology Center / Professor

Lecture by Takuji Miyamoto, Ph.D., Sakeology Center / Associate Professor

Lecture by Takuji Miyamoto, Ph.D., Sakeology Center / Associate Professor

Lecture at the Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute

Practical training at the rice polishing facility (Niigata Sakamai Seimai Co., Ltd.)

Practical training at sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture (Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)

(Sasaiwai Brewery Co., Ltd.)

(Lagoon Brewery Inc.)

After completing the four-day curriculum in Niigata City starting August 21, the students travelled to Sado City. At the “Gakkogura” brewery of Obata Shuzo Co., Ltd., they actively participated in the actual sake brewing process for seven days.
Between daily brewing sessions, they had sake tasting sessions and received diverse lectures from brewing experts, including Toshio Aoki, Ph.D., Director of Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute, followed by lively discussions.
On the final day, the graduation ceremony was held, and each student received a Notification of Program Completion from Yasuyuki Kishi, Ph.D., Director of Sakeology Center.

Scenes from the sake brewing practice at Gakkogura

Sake tasting

Lecture by Yasuyuki Kishi, Ph.D., Director of Sakeology Center / Professor

Scene from the graduation ceremony

Group photo (in front of the Sakeology Center)

(*) Niigata University has introduced a new certificate program, “Sakeology Professional Program (Sakeology-P1),” in FY2025, designed to train professionals involved in sake brewing. For more details, please see here.