“International Sakasho” is a specialist in sales promotion planning with advanced tasting ability.
The ability is cultivated by basic training using odor and taste training, tasting by raw materials and manufacturing method of sake and shochu, and comparative tasting by type. In addition, we have prepared a large number of tasting samples to be used in the seminar, and by intensively tasting these, we will realize the acquisition of sales promotion planning ability utilizing advanced tasting.
During the two consecutive days of training, totaling approximately 17 hours, we will be using a variety of items, including Japanese sake and shochu.
It is a fulfilling curriculum that includes basic training aimed at improving the sense of smell and taste, improving the ability to identify the characteristics of sake and shochu, and comparative tasting of alcoholic beverages.
You will also learn about the compatibility of sake and shochu with cooking, which can be used immediately in practice.
A course where you can receive direct guidance from a full-time instructor with the teaching materials and experiences unique to attending the venue. Questions can be resolved immediately on the spot, and then aim to pass the exam.
| Eligibility to take the exam | It is required to have both the International Kikisake-shi (SSI INT’L certified) qualification and the International Shochu Kikisake-shi (SSI INT’L certified) qualification |
| Language | Chinese 、English（Comeing soon） |
| Examination deadline | Within one year from the month following the date of attendance at the time of initial application |
| Step.1 Application Please apply through the partner school. |
International Sakasho Course Textbook
“NIHONSHU-NO-MOTOI” (First Edition, April 1, 2024)
“SHOCHU-NO-MOTOI” (First Edition, November 1, 2023)
※ Please prepare items ① and ② by yourself before the course date.
If you do not have them yet, you may purchase them from the online store or through the school.
Tasting sheets and supplementary materials
Approximately 20 types of Japanese sake for tasting and approximately 16 types of shochu for tasting
| Schedule | TBA (3 days in total, 1st and 2nd day is a class, 3rd day is an exam) |
| Venue | TBA |
| Time | Lecture |
| 09:30-10:00 | Qualities Required of a Sakasho and Key Learning Focuses |
| 10:00-10:05 | Break |
| 10:05-12:05 | [Strategies for the 1st and 2nd Examinations] – Sake Section ・Writing tasting comments for sake ・Creating a positioning map for sake ・Creating a concentric (co-axial) diagram for sake ・Approaches to answering questions related to professional knowledge of sake |
| 12:05-13:05 | Break |
| 13:05-15:05 | [Strategy for the 3rd, 5th Examination] – Sake Section Formulating a Promotional and Sales Plan for Sake (1) — Focusing on sake that is considered a current “trend” — |
| 15:05-15:15 | Break |
| 15:15-17:15 | [Strategy for the 3rd, 5th Examination] – Sake Section Formulating a Promotional and Sales Plan for Sake (2) — Using high-quality Japanese sake that embodies both technical value and natural value as an example — |
| 17:15-17:25 | Break |
| 17:25-18:55 | [Strategy for the 3rd, 5th Examination] – Sake Section Formulating a Promotional and Sales Plan for Sake (3) — Focusing on serving methods across different temperature ranges — |
| 18:55-19:00 | Information from the Secretariat |
* Time may change due to preparations.
| Time | Lecture |
| 09:30-11:30 | [Strategies for the 1st and 2nd Examinations] – Shochu Section ・Writing tasting comments for shochu ・Creating a positioning map for shochu ・Approaches to answering questions related to professional knowledge of shochu |
| 11:30-12:30 | Break |
| 12:30-14:30 | [Strategy for the 4rd 5rd Examination] – Shochu Section Formulating a Promotional and Sales Plan for Shochu (1) — Using shochu that is considered a current “trend” as an example — |
| 14:30-14:40 | Break |
| 14:40-16:40 | [Strategy for the 4rd 5rd Examination] – Shochu Section Formulating a Promotional and Sales Plan for Shochu (2) — Focusing on various drinking styles (serving methods) — |
| 16:40-17:00 | Information Regarding the Examination |
* Time may change due to preparations
| Time | 09:30〜15:20 |
| 1st exam （50 minutes） | [Written Tasting Examination] ・ Sake: “Quality evaluation,” “Classification by aroma characteristics (Four Types),” “Positioning Map creation,” and “Concentric (Co-axial) Chart creation.” ・Shochu: “Quality evaluation,” “Classification by aroma characteristics (Four Types),” “Positioning Map creation,” and “Concentric (Co-axial) Chart creation.” |
| 2nd exam （50 minutes） | [Written Tasting Examination] ・Answering questions related to the raw materials and production processes of sake and shochu (written test). ・Identifying sake and shochu based on their raw materials and production methods (tasting assessment). |
| 3rd exam （50 minutes） | [Written Tasting Examination] ・Answering various questions related to the promotion and sales of sake. |
| 4th exam (50 minutes) | [Written Tasting Examination] ・Answering various questions related to the promotion and sales of shochu. |
| 5th exam (50 minutes) | [5th Examination: Written Test] ・Creating sales talk tailored to different consumer segments (tentative title). (This section assesses the ability to translate various professional terms related to sake and shochu into explanations that general consumers can easily understand, while also incorporating practical service examples. The evaluation focuses on whether the explanations can effectively enhance consumer motivation to purchase.) |
* Pass criteria: 70% or more correct answer rate for each exam
| Examination fee | 180,000JPY(including teaching material fee, certification fee, certificate, certification chapter) Included in the examination fee (1) “SSI INT’L certified international liquor master examination qualification certification course” examination fee and certification examination examination fee (at the time of passing)Including certification fee) (2) Teaching materials (textbooks, alcoholic beverages, etc.) associated with the above classes. ※This does not include “NIHONSHU-NO-MOTOI” or ““SHOCHU-NO-MOTOI”. |
| Retake the exam fee | 35,000JPY If you fail or are absent, you can take the test by paying the re-examination fee. In this case, you are allowed to retake only the sections of the exam that you did not pass (e.g., only the first stage, only the third stage, etc.) within the examination period. If you meet the passing criteria, the results will be considered valid. ※ The retake period is calculated as within one year from the date of the initial examination. Example: Initial exam on January 1, 2024 → Retake must be completed by the end of January 2025. |
