International Shochu Kikisake-shi Correspondence Course
Bringing the charm of shochu to the world.
Study at home, at your own pace, and earn your certification in as little as 3 months.
Study Period
3 months minimum
Course Fee (tax incl.)
¥96,800
Submissions
3 assignments (PDF)
Course Language
English / Traditional Chinese
What Is an International Shochu Kikisake-shi?
A professional in serving and selling shochu who can introduce it accurately and expertly to customers in a foreign language.
How It Differs from the Shochu Kikisake-shi
Shochu Kikisake-shi
For those who work mainly in Japanese within Japan. Everything is conducted in Japanese.
International Shochu Kikisake-shi
For those who work in a foreign language outside Japan. Everything is conducted in a language other than Japanese.
The level of the courses and exams used for certification is the same for both.
Course Fee
General
¥96,800
Tax incl. (¥88,000 excl. tax)
SSI Certified Member
¥36,300
Tax incl. (¥33,000 excl. tax)
- The fee is the same for the English and Chinese versions (the official textbook is not included).
- Please purchase the official textbook separately through the designated form.
- As of January 1, 2026, the correspondence fee is no longer charged.
Steps to Certification
Simply submit 3 assignments (PDF) by email. A dedicated instructor grades them and returns the results by email.
STEP 1 Apply
Applications close at the end of each month. Study begins on the 1st of the following month. Your application is complete once payment is made.
STEP 2 Receive assignments
Sent by email within 7 business days of applying. Please prepare two different shochu for the assignments yourself.
STEP 3 Submit assignments
Answer at your own pace, save as a PDF, and submit by email. Name the file “01 Name SubmissionDate” (e.g., 01 Hiromi Ota 20270530.pdf).
STEP 4 Grading & return
By the end of the month after submission, an examiner grades your work and returns it by email.
STEP 5 Submit Assignments 2 & 3
Submit Assignments 2 and 3 in the same way.
STEP 6 Pass & certification
You pass once all assignments meet the standard. The certification date is the 1st of the month after you submit Assignment 3. The certificate and badge are shipped in the latter part of the certification month.
Study Period Guide
Fastest (estimate)
About 3 months
Recommended (estimate)
About 5 months
Submit once every 1–2 months
Course Deadline
1 year from start month
The 3-month minimum cannot be shortened. If you do not meet the passing standard within the period, your enrollment expires.
Sample Schedules (starting in April 2027)
Fastest Plan
Certified in about 3 months
- April 2027: Start studying and submit Assignment 1
- May: Submit Assignment 2
- June: Submit Assignment 3
- July 1, 2027: Certified
Recommended Plan
Certified in about 5 months (submit every 1–2 months)
- April 2027: Start studying
- By end of May: Submit Assignment 1
- By end of July: Submit Assignment 2
- By end of August: Submit Assignment 3
- September 1, 2027: Certified
With either plan, the deadline for all assignments is March 31, 2028 (the end of the month, one year after your start month).
Assignment Content
Assignment 1
- Challenges and solutions in serving and selling shochu
- Basics by type and food pairing
- History
Assignment 2
- Ingredients
- Production methods
- Ways to enjoy by occasion
- Classification by flavor profile
- Service
Assignment 3
- Tasting
- Sales promotion
*Please prepare two shochu yourself.
Textbook & Assignment Shochu
Official Textbook
Available in English and Chinese. Both include assignment and answer sheets (Word format). [Enter the actual textbook title.]
Assignment Shochu
In Japan: purchase two commercially available shochu, or buy the recommended set from the official shop.
Overseas: please prepare two shochu from the official recommended list.
Q&A
Q. Who can apply?
Anyone who has reached the legal drinking age in the country where they apply may enroll.
Q. How do I apply from within Japan?
You must first register on the official SSI website (Japanese only) and log in. We cannot accept applications from those who have not reached the legal drinking age in their country of application.
Q. How do I apply from overseas?
- Payment is by credit card or PayPal.
- If materials are shipped overseas, a separate correspondence fee (¥9,900, tax incl.) applies. Materials ship after payment.
- Import duties and taxes are the applicant’s responsibility.
- Alcoholic beverages cannot be shipped overseas by law.
Q. Can I cancel?
- For the correspondence course, dates are counted from the 1st of the start month.
- From 14 days before: 30% of the amount paid
- From 3 days before through the day: 100% of the amount paid
- In addition, a handling fee of ¥3,300 (tax incl.) applies.
- Shipped materials and related costs are borne by the customer. Refunds to overseas financial institutions incur a separate transfer fee.
More informationhttps://ssi-sake.jp/terms/
Q. What should I keep in mind when drinking?
Please enjoy alcohol in moderation, only after reaching the legal drinking age in your country. Never drink and drive. Avoid alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Become an International Shochu Kikisake-shi
Applications close at the end of each month. Start studying on the 1st of the following month.