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Our academy is dedicated to sharing Japanese culture through Washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine), using our own unique methods carefully crafted in collaboration with professional instructors.
We have deeply contemplated how to convey the spirit of omotenashi—a philosophy of hospitality rooted in the traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony—through Washoku, even though this concept is often challenging for modern Japanese people to fully grasp. By doing so, we aim to bridge cultures and create an authentic learning experience for our international students.
Given the highly delicate and complex nature of these concepts, we conduct our lessons in English with the assistance of professional interpreters.
The ingredients used in our lessons are fresh and delivered directly from the market prior to the session. We also strive to prioritize local production for local consumption (chisan-chisho) wherever possible. In addition, the essential tableware, which is indispensable to Washoku, features traditional Japanese crafts. By harmonizing the dishes with these exquisite crafts, we aim to help students gain a deeper understanding of Washoku as an integral part of Japanese culture.
Established in 2024, our academy received official Bronze Certification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) in July.
For those who wish to deeply explore Washoku as ambassadors of Japanese cuisine, we highly recommend our 4-week program. In addition to this program, we offer lessons on a wide range of aspects of Japanese culinary culture, including kabayaki (grilled eel), kaiseki, yakitori, wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), and even the philosophy of the Japanese tea ceremony.
All courses are taught by seasoned professionals who are not only experts in their respective fields but are also skilled educators. It is important to note that being a chef capable of cooking and being an educator capable of teaching are entirely different skills.
Our Location
Kitchen in Kodemmacho, Tokyo
Our classes are primarily held in the Tokyo area, and the main kitchen is located in Kodemmacho on the Hibiya line. It takes 10 minutes to get to Ginza.
Depending on your needs, the specific training or lesson location may vary. We are planning to expand the areas where lessons can be held. Please stay tuned for future updates.
About
Our Unique Business Model
Our business model is quite unique for a culinary academy because we provide a comprehensive, one-stop service that includes training, internships, job placement assistance, and visa support. We specialize in teaching the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine and are dedicated to training students who aspire to become ambassadors of Washoku.
If you're interested in learning Washoku, now is an excellent time for us to assist with your visa application, enabling you to enter Japan as a Washoku ambassador. Our BRONZE certification reflects the high standards of our training program and allows you to work towards becoming a BRONZE-certified chef.
Our Strength: Professionalism
One of our key strengths lies in our professionalism. All of our instructors are highly respected in their respective culinary fields and are well-known in Japan. They also have extensive experience assisting in the opening of Washoku restaurants overseas.
This expertise enables us to support companies that require assistance with staff training and restaurant openings, ensuring the successful introduction of authentic Washoku culture abroad.
Ai
Director
Kijima
Washoku Executive Chef
Giacomo
Counselor
Sugiura
Washoku Executive Chef
Yuasa
Eel Executive chef
Ito
Wagashi Executive Chef
Purpose
Addressing Labor Shortages Through the Power of Washoku
To put it bluntly, as islanders, we Japanese have a tendency to pride ourselves on our own culture, believing it to be unparalleled. This pride has, in some ways, led us to set a high barrier for entry into our cultural domains, creating an exclusive space that is difficult for outsiders to access. This mindset could be seen as a remnant of our historical isolationist policies.
Even though Washoku has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this exclusivity makes it challenging for it to truly resonate with people overseas. In fact, in today's world, even many Japanese fail to fully understand the value of Washoku. However, we’ve realized that it is often people from outside Japan who are better able to appreciate its significance.
To address this, we are exploring ways to lower the barriers to entry for those who approach Japanese culture from various angles, such as anime and other popular mediums. By making it easier for them to understand and connect with our traditions, we aim to create more opportunities for mutual appreciation and understanding.
Of course, if more people come to appreciate our culture, choose to undergo training, and aspire to work in Japan, it could also help solve the pressing issue of labor shortages we face today. At the same time, it would fulfill the aspirations of students who wish to work in Japan.
As a school, we see it as our purpose to create an environment where such efforts can be carried out seamlessly, enabling us to connect cultural appreciation with practical solutions to these challenges.
