The Sake Sommelier Academy (SSA) has been the world’s leading sake education provider since 2000

  • There are no entry requirements or previous experience necessary to take the course (however you must be 18 or over)
  • This is a two-day course and ends in an exam
  • Those who pass will become qualified sake sommeliers and awarded a certificate from The Sake Sommelier Association
  • Great for professionals and those who are simply sake fans
  • Choose from an in-person course or an online course

Additional Information

The first day covers the history of sake and its place in culture as well as production, terminology and classifications. There is also sake tasting. The second day goes further with learning about maturity, temperature and aromatic profiles with sake tasting too. You’ll also learn how to introduce sake to customers (useful for those in the trade), labelling, storage and vessels and, importantly, umami and its relationship to sake.

At the end of the second day you will take the exam (multiple choice questions, written questions and a tasting test). With the knowledge you acquire on the course, you will be able to expand your career in the sake service industry and even be comfortable giving introductory training others (members of the public and those in the beverage industry).

You don’t need any prior knowledge of sake (you do need to be over 18 as there’s tasting involved).

Certified Sake Sommelier Courses

Classroom Course

Two, full days of classroom based learning, including tuition, handouts, at least 12 tasting samples and your first attempt at the exam. The combined tasting and multiple choice paper exam takes place at the end of the second day.

Certified Sake Sommelier | Manchester
From £595.00

Location: 113 Portland Street Manchester
Duration: 2 days
Next course: April 2, 2025
Time: 10:00am-5:00pm

  • Comprehensive, 2 day classroom course led by a Certified Sake Sommelier
  • 12+ premium samples of different Sake styles to taste
  • First attempt at the exam
  • A certificate, pin badge and right to use ‘Certified Sake Sommelier’ title on successful completion
  • Makes you eligible to take the Advanced Sake Sommelier Course in Japan
  • Opportunity to apply to professionally judge at International Sake Challenges

Online Course

A virtual version you can do from the comfort of your own home. We post the samples to you! The exam takes place live online at the end of the second day & is invigilated remotely via webcam.

Certified Sake Sommelier Online
From £595.00

Location: Online classroom
Duration: 2 days
Next course: No available dates.

Time: 10:00am-5:00pm

  • Comprehensive, 2 day online course led by a Certified Sake Sommelier
  • 12+ premium samples of different Sake styles to taste
  • Postage of materials to mainland UK
  • First attempt at the exam
  • A certificate, pin badge and right to use ‘Certified Sake Sommelier’ title on successful completion
  • Makes you eligible to take the Advanced Sake Sommelier Course in Japan
  • Opportunity to apply to professionally judge at International Sake Challenges