Culinary Schools (Professional Training Colleges) in Japan
In this article, we feature culinary schools specializing in traditional Japanese cuisine (washoku), sushi, confectionery and other cuisines from among the numerous vocational schools in Japan. In culinary schools, you can receive training and study to become a sushi chef, French chef, pastry chef, and more. Most culinary schools have a 1-year or 2-year curriculum. We list some culinary schools that accept foreign students. Please note that besides language proficiency, there are several other requirements to study at vocational schools in Japan. Please refer to this article for detailed information.
What is a culinary school?
A culinary training facility is an educational institution that nurtures professional chefs and provides education for aspiring cooks. Graduates from these schools can obtain the national qualification of Japan, known as the "Cook License," upon completion of their studies.
By attending a culinary school, you can learn various aspects such as "cooking," "sanitation," and "nutrition." In classroom sessions, you will study subjects like nutrition, food sanitation management, culinary theory, hygiene regulations, and acquire the necessary knowledge for becoming a chef.
During practical training, you will learn basic and advanced cooking techniques, how to handle and use the latest cooking equipment, dining etiquette, as well as the proper handling of ingredients through hands-on cooking experience.
The detailed curriculum may vary slightly between 1-year and 2-year culinary programs. If you are interested in acquiring more specialized knowledge and advanced culinary skills, it would be recommended to follow a 2-year culinary school program.
Graduates from culinary schools are highly valued in the food industry and find employment in top-tier hotels, restaurants, traditional Japanese cuisine establishments (kaiseki ryotei), various dining establishments, hospitals, schools, and food development companies.
Each school offers different curricula, including comprehensive programs that cover Japanese cuisine, Western cuisine, Chinese cuisine, pastry techniques, and specialized courses focused solely on Japanese cuisine.
Japanese Culinary Schools Accepting International Students
Each school offers different curricula, please visit the respective school's website for details. There are of course more schools beyond those listed below, so please search with this list as well.
Culinary Schools in Tokyo
Japan Culinary Arts Academy (Tokyo)
Japan Culinary Arts Academy offers a training program for foreigners to obtain a Bronze Certification established by MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) within four weeks. Participants who pass the exam will be recognized as Bronze-certified chefs and receive both a Bronze Certificate and a bronze medal. The program provides comprehensive instruction in the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine.
Departments: Chef training, Yakitori course, Sushi course, Unagi course, Ramen course, Wagashi course, Green tea course,
Duration: 4, 7, 9, 12 weeks
https://www.japanculinaryarts.com/
Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo (Tokyo)
Departments: Confectionery, Japanese confectionery (wagashi), Bakery
Duration: 2 years
Hattori Academy (Tokyo)
Departments: Nutritionist Department, Advanced Culinary Business Management Department, Confectionery and Bakery Course, Comprehensive Culinary Arts Chef Course, Comprehensive Culinary Arts Chef Course
Duration: 1-4 years
Kichijoji FUTABA professional and vocational college of culinary nutrition (Tokyo)
Departments: Registered Dietitian Department, Nutritionist Department, Practical Nutrition Course, Nutritionist Department, Culinary Practice Department, Grand Chef Course, Culinary Arts Department, Patisserie Moderne Department, Patisserie Metier Department, Confectionery and Bakery Department, Grand Chef Course
Duration: 1-4 years
SANKO Gakuen (Tokyo)
Departments: Patissier and Cafe Department (Patissier Course, Cafe and Barista Course, Boulanger and Bakery Course, Sweets Cafe Creator Course)
Duration: 2 years
https://www.sanko.ac.jp/tokyo-sweets/
Tokyo College of Sushi & Washoku (Tokyo)
Departments: Japanese Cuisine Culinary, Japanese Cuisine Studies
Duration: 2-3 years
https://www.sushi-tokyo.jp/foreigner_en
Tokyo Culinary and Confectionery Arts Academy (Tokyo)
Departments: Advanced Cooking Techniques, Cooking Techniques, Patissier and Boulanger, International Cooking Business
Duration: 1-2 years
Tokyo Shokuryo Dietitian academy (Tokyo)
Departments: Nutritionist Department, Registered Dietitian Department, Healthy Sweets Research Department
Duration: 1-4 years
Yamanote Cooking & Confectionery College (Tokyo)
Departments: Cooking and confectionery, Bridal master, Patissier & Chocolatier, Patissier & Boulanger, Confectionery Hygienist, Cooking
Duration: 1-2 years
https://yamanote.ac.jp/shibuya/
Culinary Schools in Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo
Kobe Kokusai Cooking & Pastry College (Hyogo)
Departments: Confectionery specialist course, Confectionery Hygienist, Culinary Arts
Duration: 1-2 years
https://www.ikusei.ac.jp/international/
Taiwa Gakuen (Kyoto)
Departments: Japanese sweets (wagashi), patissiers and chocolatiers, café sweets, bakery, Japanese Cuisine, Western Cuisine, French Cuisine , Italian Cuisine
Duration: 1-2 years
https://www.taiwa.ac.jp/global/
Tsuji Culinary Institute / Tsuji Institute of Patisserie (Osaka)
Departments: Japanese Cooking Course, Japanese Culinary Arts and Business Course, Western, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, Culinary Arts and Management Course, Confectionery Arts and Management Course
Duration: 1-3 years
