Fast track: everything in one course
Best for: learning Japanese cuisine intensively, from the basics to the advanced level, in a single module.
No entry requirement.
- Total
- $778$998 with MAFF Bronze
- Time
- 6 weeks to 6 months
Japanese Cooking Fundamental Skills Certification Course
Learn Japanese Cooking Online and Earn a Certification Supervised by Japan’s Culinary Authority
81 video lessons in English, textbooks and examinations — learn Japanese cuisine systematically from the basics, at your own pace, and earn the Japanese Cooking Fundamental Skills Certification.
Pass the Advanced Level and you qualify for the MAFF Bronze certification.
81video lessons,
all narrated in English
all narrated in English
1930Year our supervising
association was founded
association was founded
10,000+Japanese chefs
in that association
in that association
At a glance
- Format
- 100% online and self-paced, available 24 hours a day
- Language
- All 81 videos, the textbooks and the examinations are in English
- Courses
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Advanced Intensive
- Price
- From $220 per person; $220 to $998 depending on the course and the certification, examination and certificate fees included
- Time to complete
- 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on the course
- Certification
- Japanese Cooking Fundamental Skills Certification; on the Advanced routes, the Bronze Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries (MAFF)
- Supervised by
- The Association for the Advancement of the Japanese Culinary Art, founded in 1930
- Please note
- The MAFF Bronze certification is not available to Japanese nationals
What is the Japanese Cooking Fundamental Skills Certification Course?
A comprehensive online cooking course that lets you learn the basic skills and knowledge of Japanese cooking systematically, 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the world.
With 81 cooking videos and textbooks, you learn Japanese knife skills, dashi (Japanese soup stock), the unique vegetable cutting techniques, seafood preparation and the main cooking methods of Japanese cuisine.
There are Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced study programs, and you earn a certification according to your level.
Supervised by a Japanese culinary authority
The program is supervised and certified by The Association for the Advancement of the Japanese Culinary Art, Japan’s oldest Japanese culinary research organization, established in 1930, to which more than 10,000 Japanese chefs belong, together with Sunnylive, Inc.
Six things that set this course apart
Tap a heading to read more.
1All 81 videos are narrated in English
The cooking videos are all narrated in English so that you can learn stress-free.
No Japanese language ability is required.
2Authentic cooking method
This program has been supervised by an authoritative organization in the Japanese culinary world.
It is dedicated to providing up-to-date information and techniques, allowing you to learn Japanese cuisine systematically from the basics.
3Practical cooking skills
A practical learning program that emphasizes reproducibility, so that you can repeat each dish reliably in your own kitchen.
4Learn based on your skills
There are beginner, intermediate and advanced study programs, and you can earn certifications according to your level.
5Instructor feedback
You can ask questions in the online course and receive full follow-up support from our experts and instructors to ensure your thorough understanding.
6Membership after the course
As a member, you can attend live lectures given by Michelin-starred chefs and owners of famous Japanese restaurants, allowing you to keep improving your skills and to follow the latest trends in the Japanese food industry.
Choose your course
You can start with any course that suits your level.
All prices are per person in US dollars and include the examination fee and certificate issuance fee.
Schools and companies can enroll groups at group prices.
Three routes lead to the Advanced Level. Every course is 100% online and self-paced, and each course ends with an examination and its own certificate, so you can also take a single course.
Step by step from the basics
Best for: taking the course in stages, with an examination and a certificate at the end of each course.
You can stop after any course.
- Beginner Course2 weeks to 2 months · $220
- Intermediate Course3 weeks to 3 months · $250 for Beginner Course graduates
- Advanced Course3 weeks to 3 months · $450, or $670 with MAFF Bronze
- Total
- $920$1,140 with MAFF Bronze
- Time
- 8 weeks to 8 months
Start at the Intermediate level
Best for: starting at the level that suits you.
The Intermediate Course has no entry requirement, so you can skip the Beginner Course and go on to the Advanced Course.
- Intermediate Course3 weeks to 3 months · $450
- Advanced Course3 weeks to 3 months · $450, or $670 with MAFF Bronze
- Total
- $900$1,120 with MAFF Bronze
- Time
- 6 weeks to 6 months
MAFF Bronze certification: +$220 on the Advanced Course or the Advanced Intensive Course.
It is the Bronze level of the Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries, recognized by the Japanese government, and it is not available to Japanese nationals. Details below.
All courses and prices
| Course | Certification | Price | EnrollEnroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Course2 weeks to 2 months · No entry requirement | Beginner Level | $220 | Enroll |
| Intermediate Course3 weeks to 3 months · No entry requirement; $250 for Beginner Course graduates | Intermediate Level | $450 | Enroll |
| Advanced Course3 weeks to 3 months · After the Intermediate Course | Advanced Level | $450 | Enroll |
| Advanced Course + MAFF Bronze3 weeks to 3 months · After the Intermediate Course | Advanced Level + MAFF Bronze | $670 | Enroll |
| Advanced Intensive Course6 weeks to 6 months · No entry requirement | Advanced Level | $778 | Enroll |
| Advanced Intensive Course + MAFF Bronze6 weeks to 6 months · No entry requirement | Advanced Level + MAFF Bronze | $998 | Enroll |
The MAFF Bronze certification
Students who choose the MAFF Bronze option of the Advanced Course or the Advanced Intensive Course and pass the Advanced Level examination are registered for the Bronze Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries, a scheme established in 2016 by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and receive a Bronze certificate and a bronze medal.
The MAFF Bronze certification is not available to Japanese nationals. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please ask us before enrolling.
The scheme itself is described on the official MAFF page.
How the course works
- Application. Choose your course, click the Add to cart button for the option you need, then register your details to complete the purchase.
-
Course start. The course starts within a few business days.
Detailed information about the course and the textbook is sent by e-mail in advance, and your login ID is issued. -
Examination and assignment submission. Book your examination and submit your assignments during the course period.
Learning is self-paced and available 24 hours a day. -
Completion and issuance of the certificate. You receive your examination and assignment results together with the certificate.
During the course period you can keep viewing the content even after the examination is over.
Registering as a member afterwards is a separate procedure.
What you need
- A device such as a PC, tablet or smartphone
- An internet connection — see the recommended learning environment
- Basic cooking tools — knives, pots, cutting boards and similar
- Basic seasonings and the ingredients for the program menus
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any previous experience?
No.
The Beginner Course and the Advanced Intensive Course start at basic level.
The Advanced Course is for students who have completed the Intermediate Course, and the Intermediate Course is open to everyone, with a reduced fee for Beginner Course graduates.
How long does it take?
It depends on the course: 2 weeks to 2 months for the Beginner Course, 3 weeks to 3 months for the Intermediate and Advanced Courses, and 6 weeks to 6 months for the Advanced Intensive Course.
Learning is self-paced and available 24 hours a day.
What language is the course in?
All 81 cooking videos are narrated in English, and the textbooks and the examinations are in English as well.
No Japanese language ability is required.
How is the course assessed?
Through assignments submitted during the course and an examination taken online during the course period.
The Beginner Course has an online examination only.
Results are sent together with the certificate.
Which certificate do I receive?
The Japanese Cooking Fundamental Skills Certification at the level of the course you complete: Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced.
It is issued by The Association for the Advancement of the Japanese Culinary Art and Sunnylive, Inc.
What is the MAFF Bronze certification and who can obtain it?
The Bronze level of the Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries, a scheme established by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Students who choose the MAFF Bronze option of the Advanced Course or the Advanced Intensive Course and pass the Advanced Level examination receive a Bronze certificate and a bronze medal.
It is not available to Japanese nationals.
Can I try the course before enrolling?
Yes.
Part of the course is available free on the sample video page, so that you can check the teaching style and the level before you enroll.
Can a school or a company enroll a group?
Yes.
Every course is also available with group pricing for culinary schools, restaurants, hotels and companies, from $1,550 for a group of up to 10 students.
See the page for corporations and schools.
Ask a question about the course
Use the form below, or contact us.
We reply by e-mail.