Study Abroad for a Japanese Culinary Education
Japanese cuisine is known throughout the world. Sushi is trendy everywhere from New York to New Delhi. And Japanese chefs have made a name for themselves internationally. Of recent note, several Japanese chefs appeared on the popular show Iron Chef. If you’re fluent in Japanese, you can study culinary arts at the same internationally-recognized school they went to: Hattori Nutrition School. But for many Americans who don’t speak Japanese, there are still some options for studying Japanese cuisine (and a variety of others) right at the source.
Finding a program in Japan
The choices for English-speaking programs are limited, but there are quality schools available. Le Cordon Bleu offers two programs: one in Tokyo and one in Kobe (Maybe you can learn to cook some famous steaks?). Both features professional training facilities, key to any good culinary program. Kitchens are stocked and up-to-date, and the staff features experienced instructors and chefs. The programs also offer job-placement support and sponsor what they call “work-integrated learning,” which combines professional hands-on experience with the curriculum so that students get needed training and experience. The programs also use recordings for students to review their techniques.
Admission to culinary school is open, and students are required to have a high-school diploma or GED, as well as to meet some basic academic requirements. The schools also identify “mature status” for admissions. Keep in mind that you will also be required to apply for and receive a visa, and this process can take many months to complete. Read up on the requirements, and allow yourself adequate time to get the visa before classes start.
Finishing your degree
The degree programs at Le Cordon Bleu are able to be completed in just over two years. The flagship school also offers online courses in culinary management, giving students some options for scheduling. For students who don’t want to travel all the way to Japan to study, or who live in Japan but want the convenience of online classes, many more programs are available. Video instruction is available in some cases to learn cooking techniques in your own home – you can pretend you’re learning from the Iron Chef. In other cases, culinary programs are offered to supplement work experience or previous training in the kitchen. Management degrees can often be completed exclusively online.
Starting your career
If you expect to stay in Japan, keep in mind that you will have to wrangle with visa requirements and other issues regarding work or potential citizenship. Talk to counselors at your school or study the requirements before you start your job hunt. Wherever you end up – either in Japan, back home in the U.S., or wherever the travel bug takes you – remember that salary will depend on a number of factors. Whether you work in a rural or urban area will be significant, as will your years of experience.
Of course, the higher you climb in rank, the more you can expect to make. Heads chefs and cooks will make the most, followed by their sous chefs, assistant cooks and line cooks. The more stars that your employer has, the more money you’re likely to be paid. Look for jobs at upscale restaurants, hotels, resorts and spas if you want to be at the high end of the curve. Fast food – even the ramen and sushi vendors in Japan – and casual dining will pay much less. Even if it doesn’t pay well, ramen is delicious. 🙂
Campus-based Programs
Le Cordon Bleu Kobe
The 45th 6F, 45 Harima-machi
Chuo-Ku,Kobe-shi
Hyogo 650-0036, Japan
(+81) 78-393-8221
cordonbleu.edu/kobe/
Bakery
Cuisine
Patisserie
Boulangerie
No regional accreditation
IACP approved
Le Cordon Bleu Tokyo
Roob-1, 28-13 Sarugaku-Cho,
Daikanyama, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-0033, Japan
(+81) 3-5489-0141
cordonbleu.edu/tokyo/
Bakery
Cuisine
Patisserie
Boulangerie
No regional accreditation
IACP approved
Tokyo Sushi Academy
8-2-5 Nishi Shinjuku,
Shinjuku
Tokyo, Japan 160-0023
(+81) 3-3362-1755
sushischool.jp
short workshops & professional sushi courses
TSUJI Culinary Institute
3-16-11, Matsuzaki-cho,
Abeno-ku, Osaka-city,
OSAKA, 545-0053 JAPAN
(+81) 6-6629-0208
tsuji.ac.jp/en/college/chorishi/
open courses
1 YR Culinary Arts Course
2 YR Culinary Arts & Management
3 YR Advanced Culinary Arts & Management
TSUJI Institute of Patisserie
3-9-23, Matsuzaki-cho,
Abeno-ku, Osaka-city,
OSAKA, 545-0053 JAPAN
(+81) 6-6629-0208
tsuji.ac.jp/en/college/seika/
1 YR Regular Course
2 YR Confectionary Arts and Management Course
Hattori Nutritional College
5–25-4, Sendagaya
Shibuya-Ku
TOKYO, 151-0051 JAPAN
(+81) 3-3356-7171
hattori.ac.jp
1 YR Culinary Course
1 YR Culinary Patisserie & Boulangerie Course
2 YR Nutrition Course
2 YR Culinary High Tech Business Administration
Edo Tokyo Soba
3-24-8 Higashitateishi
Katsushika-ku
Tokyo 124-0013, Japan
(+81) 3-3696-5351
edotokyosoba.com
courses on soba noodle making & traditional Japanese dishes
Eat Osaka
1-4-1 Ebisuhigashi,
Naniwa-ku,
Osaka City, 556-0002 JAPAN
eatosaka.com
short courses focusing on street food & home cooking
Online-based Programs
The Art Institutes of Pittsburgh – Online Division
www.aionline.edu/
Hotel and Restaurant Management
MSCHE accredited
Johnson and Wales University
www.jwu.edu/campus.aspx?id=25934
Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management
Culinary Arts & Food Service Management
NEASC accredited
Penn Foster Career School
www.pennfoster.edu/
Hotel and Restaurant Management
DETC & CHEA accredited
Sullivan College
www.sullivan.edu/
Beverage Management
CCSACS & ACF accredited
I would like to know if there are any cooking schools or programs specializing in
Ramen noodle cooking in U.S., Japan or S.Korea
hei japan,
i have some question,
first i would like to introduce myself
my name is Trixie budi putra
i’m a men
i’m 18 years old
i’m indonesian and been here
did japanese chef school have scholarship?
if it has,what the quilificied for getting that?
thank you .. (^^–waiting answer–^^)
Dear Sir Madeem I am Irfan Khan From pakistan I am good cooking now pakistan dish india dish china dish and dish now place happy me sir my house number 2346 latifabad u number12 Hyderabad sindh pakistan Place Cooking visa happy me sir Thankyou sir
Hello,
i was wondering about the schools that teach in english but specialize in more than one style, like french and japanese for example or maybe fusion food, i am interested in studying culinary arts in japan.
thank you,
anna
i love cooking.
Hi, I am Indonesian
I would like to know, im in my last grade of senior high school, normally my class mate will enter university, but im in interest in culinary especially pastry. i really want to join Le Cordon Bleu in Japan or Australia. is there any scholarship for non-Japanese or non- Australian?
I really need your help to some advices.
Thank you so much
I almost have the same question with Anna. do you have a school that teach in English language and I’m really having a hard time looking for school in japan or Korea.
please help me T_T
Hi, I from US
I would like to know, about culinary arts especially japan’s cusine. I really want to join Le Cordon Bleu in Japan. Is there any program for non-Japanese for 3 month aboard?
I really need your help to some advices about the cost of the program (how much); and travel (staying in school)and to whom to contact about these special inquiring.
Thank you so much
Dear sir
iam indian chef now ia working in japenese kitchen i want to learn sushi and all japanese cusine want help to selct a certificate of sushi in japan
Hello, mr name is Ryan and I am very interested in attending culinary school in Japan. I have already received a certificate in culinary arts from Le Cordon Blue at their Orlando Florida campus and have been immersed in traditional French cuisine and techniques, Latin, some other European and of course American. Although my heart has always seemed to be pulling me more towards oriental cuisine and more than anything Japan. I desire to learn traditional Japanese as well as, new age and fusion cuisine. I want to learn it all.
I plan on most likely making this journey in this coming late summer or early fall. Any information that you can provide for me on English taught courses would be of great assistance.
I am From SriLanka and Director of Japan Srilanka friendship school In sriLanka.
Our students like to study japanese cooking system in japan. How to apply your school? i am waiting for your reply
Best regard
Somarathana
Hi,
I am Eleanor from Ghana. would liuke to ask if there any culinary schools in Japan that do teach in english and also specialise in more than one ? am in interested in learning baking,cooking anything related to catering.Would be soo pleased if you could also suggest some good culinary schools ion Japan fr me.
Thank you
Hope to hear from you soon
Eleanor
Hi,.I’m from Philippines. 🙂
I would like to know if there’s any scholarship so that I can enter “Le Cordon Bleu”.? I want to pursue Pastry major. 🙂 I badly need it. 🙂
Thank you,.:D
Hello Japan I’m Zaynah and I am interested in your university
I hope I can be in any way into the university,thank you if you are listening chow
I am looking for training in not only sushi hot plate dinners, but ramen, udon, and especially desserts. Does the course cover everything?
hello, very interested to take a month or intensive course in japan to learn japanese cooking techniques… please send me information to my account. thanks in advance.. have a good weekend
Hi,
I would like to know if there are any 4 week summer course offered by professional japanese culinary school?
Thank you!
Hi dear sir/madam
I am iranian. Now came to tokyo to visit my brother and his family and I’m eager to learn traditional japanese cooking,dessert and so on.would you please help me how can I get a course in cooking college or school.?
Hello
We offer many cooking classes, could you list us on this page?
https://mai-ko.com/osaka/cooking-class-osaka/
Thank you so much!
@Irfan Khan If you have the money, you will get a visa.
@Anna Tokyo’s campus specializes in french and japanese cuisine.
I’m 12 and I want to start practicing baking but she won’t let me how can I practice or learn with experience?
Can i ask If the Totsuki Culinary Academy Exists?? I’m Ready To learn a lot about French, Japanese and other Cuisines in this World i’ll be in Touch about the Answers Arigato Gozaimaishta
Most of them require JLPT or other Japanese language proficiency test scores. Le Cordon Bleu requires TOEFL scores. Lmao gg friends.