Kagoshima Prefectural Government

Kagoshima Shochu Academy
– Promotion and sales mastery
DATE：October 27th – October 31st, 2025
Place： Within Kagoshima Prefecture

Recruitment Announcement

Satsuma ShochuOrganized by Kagoshima Prefectural Government, this seminar is designed to help alcoholic beverage professionals outside of Japan to deepen their understanding of Honkaku-Shochu from Kagoshima. Last year, Honkaku-Shochu production was registered as part of the "Traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan" on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Through the knowledge and experience gained from this seminar, we hope participants will be inspired to share the appeal of Honkaku-Shochu with a broader audience. We look forward to receiving your applications.

Organizer:
Kagoshima Prefectural Government
10-1 Kamoike-shinmachi, Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima, Japan.

[1] Outline

1. Schedule October 27th (Monday) - October 31st (Friday), 2025
*Participants are required to check in to their assigned hotel in Kagoshima City on October 26th.
*Accommodation will be provided until the night of October 31st, and participants are expected to check out on the morning of November 1st, at which point the program concludes.
2. Location Satsuma Shochu GIWithin Kagoshima Prefecture (Kagoshima City, Amami islands, etc.).
The meeting and dismissal point will be in central Kagoshima City.

Kagoshima Prefecture is a major producer of Honkaku Shochu and home　to over 100 shochu distilleries, the highest number of distilleries by prefecture in Japan.
3. Venue Kagoshima University Education Center
1-20-6, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan.
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4. Eligibility Individuals responsible for purchasing or sales at liquor wholesalers,
liquor retailers, or restaurants operating outside of Japan.
5. Capacity 15 participants
6. Participation Fee JPY 110,000
(including meals, hotel accommodation, transportation between Kagoshima and Amami islands, and tax)
7. Certificate A certificate will be awarded to those who successfully complete the course.

[2] Curriculum

Lectures will be conducted in Japanese with an English interpreter.

1. Lectures curriculum_01What is Shochu, Production Methods and Characteristics of Imo (sweet potato) Shochu and Kokuto (brown sugar) Shochu, Fermentation Science, Serving Shochu.
2. Bartender's Talk The Art of Shochu Cocktails: A Bartender's Perspective.
3. Tour Imo（sweet potato） Shochu distilleries (Mainland) and Kokuto(brown sugar) Shochu distilleries (Amami islands), Koji Starter Producer, the biggest shochu festival in Kagoshima “Shochu Street”.
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Shochu distillery Shochu distillery：Sweet potato processing process Sugar cane fields in Amami islands
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Shochu bar The biggest shochu festival in Kagoshima ”Shochu Street” Traditional ways of drinking shochu

[3] How to join the course

1. Application Register here.
If you cannot use Google Forms, please click here.
Deadline: July 25th, 2025
2. Selection Results NotificationAugust 8th, 2025
* - In case of exceeding number of applicants, we'll select the candidates based on the essay submitted.
【Inquiry】 Email: yamada@sakebunka.co.jpTel: +81 80-3918-0453
Weekday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Japanese time)