The Japan Sommelier Association (J.S.A.) has officially announced the details and opened applications for the 2026 J.S.A. SAKE DIPLOMA INTERNATIONAL certification exam. This qualification specializes deeply in Japanese sake and shochu, aiming to evaluate and promote a precise understanding of Japanese beverage and food culture globally.
A significant update has been introduced for the certification starting this year. The qualification will now be offered at three distinct levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Please note that individuals who successfully passed the examination in previous years will be automatically recognized as Gold level.
Applications are now being accepted. Below is an overview of the 2026 examination guidelines based on the official announcement for the exam held in Japan.
1. Eligibility
The examination is widely open to international candidates who wish to validate their expertise.
-
Applicants must be 20 years of age or older on the day of the examination.
-
Qualification or specific work experience in the food and beverage industry is not required.
-
Applicants must not already hold the identical qualification (unless applying under the re-sit exemption).
2. Exam Flow & Time Schedule
The examination consists of two main parts conducted on the same day:
-
Part 1: Written Exam
-
Part 2: Tasting Exam / Short Essay Exam
The questions for the exam are primarily extracted from the official English textbook.
Re-sit Policy (Exemption Status)
Candidates who have already passed either Part 1 (Written Exam) or Part 2 (Short Essay Exam/Tasting Exam) in a previous year are eligible for an exemption. Under this status, they may re-sit the remaining part without any time limit, for a maximum of three total attempts.
3. Exam Date & Venues
Application Period
May 27, 2026 (12:00 JST) – August 31, 2026 (23:59 JST)
Examination Date (Japan)
October 4, 2026 (Sunday)
Exam Venues (Japan)
-
Tokyo: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa
-
Osaka: Hilton Osaka
Please note: The venue and schedule information above applies strictly to the examinations held in Japan. For details regarding examinations in other international locations, candidates must contact their local J.S.A. Accredited Program Providers directly.
4. Examination Fees
The examination fees differ based on your J.S.A. membership status and whether you are taking the full regular exam or applying with a re-sit exemption. All listed fees include consumption tax.
Regular Examination Fee (Full Exam)
-
J.S.A. Member: JPY 23,700
-
Non-member (Standard fee): JPY 32,900
Re-sit Examination Fee (With Exemption)
-
J.S.A. Member: JPY 7,300
-
Non-member (Standard fee): JPY 14,210
5. Upon Passing (Certification Registration)
If you successfully pass the entire examination, an additional registration process is required to receive your formal credentials.
-
Certification Registration Fee: JPY 20,950 (including tax)
-
Procedure: Successful candidates must pay the fee via their My Page on the official J.S.A. website to receive the official certificate and badge.
Important Note on Certification Levels
As mentioned, the certification is newly classified into three levels—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—based on performance. Certified individuals will receive a physical badge corresponding to their designated tier. Please be aware that loaning, transferring, or reselling these official badges to any third party is strictly prohibited.
6. Textbook Information
The examination material is based entirely on the following publication:
Textbook: J.S.A. SAKE DIPLOMA Textbook English Version (Newly published in May 2025)
Distribution
-
For Regular Examination applicants, the textbook is included in the exam fee and will be delivered via domestic shipping within Japan.
-
Please note that the textbook is not automatically provided to re-sit applicants under the exemption status. If a copy of the Fourth Edition is needed, it must be purchased separately through the official J.S.A. online shop.
For exact application submissions and updates, please consult the official J.S.A. webpage: https://www.sommelier.jp/exam/sake-diploma-international