Many aspiring chefs wish to go to Japan and learn Japanese cooking in Japan one day. However, many also need help figuring out where to start. Here are a few steps you can take to achieve your goal of learning Japanese cooking in Japan.
1. Participate in Short-term Cooking Class for Tourists
In Japan, a wide variety of English cooking classes are available for tourists. Some classes are only a few hours long, while others offer a full-day Japanese cooking experience. The prices are often reasonable, most of which are up to 100 to 150 US dollars.
Cooking with local ingredients under the direct supervision of a Japanese expert would give you many new perspectives on Japanese cooking. Many of these short-time classes teach how to make representative Japanese dishes, like ramen and sushi. However, some classes extend their offering to izakaya-style or homemade-style dishes and local supermarket tours where you can learn how to choose good ingredients.
One thing to add is that these courses are intended to provide an entertaining experience rather than a technical skill-building opportunity. Therefore, they would be suitable for those who want a casual experience but not those who wish to develop their skills at a professional level.
2. Enroll in Japanese Culinary School
If you wish to go beyond a one-day cooking class in Japan, enrolling in a Japanese culinary school in Japan can be your choice. Several schools offer a wide range of culinary curricula for aspiring chefs who do not speak the language.
Some offer courses for relatively short periods, usually multiple days to a week. There are also many courses designed to develop skills over a more extended period, say several weeks or even months. As you can imagine, the prices vary depending on the course. Typically, the price ranges from a couple thousand dollars to more than ten thousand dollars.
Collecting information about such schools and narrowing it down may be challenging without visiting Japan. To help you find the right one, you can refer to Chef’s Wonderland’s website if you wish to obtain detailed information about some Japanese culinary schools.
3. On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Another culinary training option is on-the-job training (OJT). However, it is the most challenging way to pursue. What does the path to seizing the opportunity of OJT look like?
Japanese-language proficiency
Few apprenticeships or internship schemes exist for non-Japanese people in the culinary industry, which probably has much to do with language. In fact, almost 100% of work-related communication is in Japanese. In other words, finding OJT opportunities is challenging for non-Japanese who are not fluent in everyday conversational Japanese.
However, this does not mean there are no opportunities for non-Japanese speaking talents.
For example, the town of Niseko in Hokkaido is a unique town where most of the customers are non-Japanese. In such a town, it is likely to find a job without needing Japanese language skills. You can look for job openings by yourself or consult with the experts introduced later in this blog.
Visa
The Japanese government started its initiative to grant a visa for “Specified skilled workers (SSW)” to non-Japanese workers. This new type of visa is designed to attract skilled workers from abroad to fill gaps in Japan’s labor market, particularly in sectors facing severe workforce shortages, including the hospitality industry, such as restaurants. However, this visa requires a certain level of Japanese proficiency, making it harder for non-Japanese-speaking talents to receive it.
However, you should not conclude that there are no opportunities to work in a restaurant in Japan. How? Well, that is where you need advice from an expert.
MJCA Partnered with Expert to Help You Learn Cooking in Japan
As you read above, it is not very easy to work in a restaurant in Japan if you do not have any Japanese proficiency, although it is one of the most effective ways to learn Japanese cooking skills. It is MJCA’s mission to assist our students throughout their journey of learning Japanese cuisine. As many of them hope to learn Japanese cuisine in Japan one day, we always seek to support them. Therefore, we are happy to partner with an expert, Chef’s Wonderland. This partnership enables us to offer valuable information regarding culinary adventures in Japan to our students and beyond.
How Chef’s Wonderland Can Help You
Chef’s Wonderland is a Japan-based agent company specializing in supporting aspiring individuals who wish to gain learning opportunities in Japanese cuisine in Japan. They have helped many of these enthusiasts to find ways to make their dreams come true. Their main assistance includes mediating between individuals and partner schools. Besides, they offer advice on working in Japanese restaurants and support on immigration matters.
To learn more about the outlook for chef jobs in Japan, you may also find it helpful to read their blog post on how to find a job as a chef in Japan or reach out to Chef’s Wonderland for support.
You Can Learn Japanese Cooking Wherever You Are!
With MJCA, you can learn extensive Japanese culinary skills, from basic to advanced techniques, wherever you are. Professional Japanese chefs with years of experience in and outside Japan are here to support your culinary journey.
For those keen on focusing on sushi training, our Sushi Masterclass -Foundation- course, acclaimed by WorldChefs, can be ideal. To obtain a comprehensive overview of Japanese cuisine, our Grand Membership Plus is your gateway to access all of our current courses, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and more.
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