Driving Camp a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Because it is such Driving Camp, many people do not have prior knowledge and want to carefully choose a school based on word of mouth, etc.
However, in reality, it is possible to be so concerned with limited word-of-mouth reviews that you end up eliminating good schools from your list of options without even realizing it.
This is because many people don't know what kind of reviews they should take into consideration.
Here we will go into detail about what you should look out for in reviews of Driving Camp, and which driving schools across the country have received high reviews from participants.
Once you finish reading, you will know how to use word of mouth correctly and will be able to make an informed choice about the school you want to attend.

[1] Don’t believe everything you hear! How to use word-of-mouth reviews properly

1. Let's reconfirm that word-of-mouth is just an evaluation by the person who wrote it.

Some of the things I often see in reviews of driving schools are things like ``homely atmosphere'' and ``the instructors were strict.'' At first glance, these may seem to represent the actual situation at the driving school, but they are actually different. This is because evaluations of ``atmosphere'' and ``people'' differ from person to person, even if the object is the same. Moreover, even evaluations by the same person can change from time to time.

2. Why are there different evaluations even for the same school? - Things to be careful about when reading reviews

In fact, when it comes to reviews related to travel, including Driving Camp, the reviews change depending on factors that are not directly related to the destination.

For example, when traveling, even if you go to the same place, your impression of the trip and the destination will change depending on the people you travel with, the weather, your physical condition, etc.
Also, for many people, Driving Camp is a once in a lifetime experience, which means that participants basically have no way of comparing their results to other schools.

Therefore, when looking at reviews of Driving Camp, first determine whether the reviews are subjective or objective, and be aware of not getting too caught up in subjective reviews.

3. Why are there so many bad reviews? -What are the negative aspects of reviews?

When you look up reviews of a school you think is good, you may have found a lot of bad reviews.
However, this reflects the nature of word of mouth, and it is never a good idea to rule a school out from your list of options based on that alone.

It is said that reviews are left by about 1.5% of all users. Among them, fewer people with a "good" impression will post reviews. In other words, the overall opinion is quite biased. People who "go out of their way" to post reviews have a strong impression of the subject, good or bad, and don't go out of their way to post something that's passable. In other words, as a result, there are many reviews from people who have a "bad" impression, and they are even more specific.

4. Learn how to use it correctly! -How to evaluate bad reviews

Even if you understand the above, you will still see bad reviews. Rather, I think there are many people who look for reviews by actual graduates, looking for honest opinions, including negative reviews. In such cases, make your judgment based on the number of topics being talked about. If the reviews are about something that many people have touched, a certain degree of objectivity is guaranteed.

5.Regarding reviews regarding “instructors”, which are especially common

Since so many people post reviews about instructors, it can be hard not to be concerned about them, but in this case, you should just take it as "some people felt that way."
This is because instructors are human beings too, and so there will inevitably be differences in compatibility between people.

Instructors also teach you how to drive, which is directly related to your life. I've seen many reviews saying that the instructor was strict, but since it's your first time driving, the instructor must provide solid guidance. Please keep this in mind when reading reviews.

6. Reviews with objective evaluations can be helpful.

The conclusion so far is that when looking at reviews of Driving Camp look for ones that include objective evaluations.
As mentioned above, reviews from actual participants are subjective. Rather than comparing the school to other schools, "good" or "bad" is merely the impression each person had at the time. Therefore, be mindful to look at reviews that focus on things that are less likely to change from person to person, such as "facilities," "location," and "surrounding area information," rather than "food" or "atmosphere."

7.What specific items should I look at for reviews?

Decide what you value most when choosing a school, because it can be difficult for many people to find a school that meets all of their desired criteria.
In the following chapter, we have listed five points that were frequently cited as deciding factors by actual participants when choosing a school, even among the points that involve objective evaluation. Please use this as a guide when considering which points you would like to prioritize.

[2] Pay attention here! Five evaluation items to look for in reviews of Driving Camp

1.About fees

(1) First and foremost is the price! Be sure to compare with other schools

First, check your budget. No matter how good a school is, if it doesn't fit your budget, you'll have to eliminate it from your list of options.
However, for many people, the price range of Driving Camp is unfamiliar. There are many different types of people, such as those who want to know the general price range of popular schools, and those who want to get it as cheap as possible. With such a diverse range of people writing reviews, there are also differing opinions on the price of a single school.
The general price range for Driving Camp is around 250,000 yen, so keep that in mind when considering the cost and compare it with the fees of other schools for the time period you wish to enroll.

(2) Beware of those who value price! Don't be fooled by the "Driving Camp starting from 170,000 yen"

Be careful, as the prices you see in flyers or online advertisements may be set much lower than normal prices.
Such low prices are only possible if the following conditions are met: off-season, shared rooms, and self-catering.
If you are a university student, you will probably go to Driving Camp during summer or spring vacation. At this point, it will no longer be considered a "slow season." Furthermore, "shared rooms" and "self-catering" plans are quite suitable for some people.
So, first decide whether you want to prioritize price or timing, and then look for a school that fits your budget. Generally, at the end of September, prices drop significantly compared to the top prices in August, so it's recommended for those looking for a cheaper price!

2.About access

There are two types of "access" in Driving Camp. These are ``access to the school from the area where you live'' and ``access from the school to the surrounding area during training camp.'' If access is important to you, check what kind of points you value and then check the relevant reviews. Especially regarding access to the area, there are many reviews and ratings tend to be divided, so be sure to check it out!

(1) Attention those who are only considering schools near their home! Transportation expenses will be paid

If you are considering a school nearby because you are concerned about transportation costs, be careful!
Many schools provide transportation costs for participants.
In fact, among university students in the Tokyo metropolitan area who go to Driving Camp during spring or summer vacation, about 70% choose a driving school in Yamagata Prefecture, far from the Kanto area. Regardless of the distance to the school, many people participate in the driving school at popular schools.
If you have been considering only schools close to where you live for no particular reason, try broadening your horizons and considering schools in other areas.

(2) What kind of place will you choose? Axis for considering the school area

Besides the location of a popular school, there are other considerations when looking for an area, such as "famous tourist spots", "places close to home", and "places I've never been to". Of course, there are also people who want to choose somewhere nearby.
Among them, the best thing is to choose a place where you can do sightseeing and travel while obtaining your license. You can experience the pleasure of Driving Camp that you can't get by going to school. For most people, Driving Camp is a once in a lifetime experience, so choose an area that you won't regret!

(3) For some people, it is more important than choosing the area! About access from the school to the surrounding area

For some people, it is essential to understand the transportation access from the school or accommodation to the surrounding area. This is because even if a school has good facilities, there are often few leisure facilities in the surrounding area. Also, it is possible that you chose a school because of a certain tourist spot, but in fact, you will need to travel by car from the school to that tourist spot, even if it is within the same prefecture.
If you are planning to visit tourist attractions or leisure facilities around the school, be sure to check reviews about access to the area.

3.About the accommodation

When reading reviews of accommodations, organize the information into two categories: "About the facilities in the accommodation" and "About the room you will be staying in."
When looking for an apartment or condominium to live in, you may find that the facility itself is old, but the rooms have been renovated and are beautiful.
When researching accommodations for Driving Camp, don't just look at photos of the exterior, but make sure you understand these two points before making your decision.

(1) Decide how fulfilling your off time is! ? About the facilities in the dormitory

Finding out about the facilities outside of your room is more important than many people think, because the facilities in the accommodation will affect how fulfilling your off-time is outside of class.
For example, if the dormitory has a shared lounge with a sense of openness, you can expect to interact with other participants and it may lead to unexpected encounters. In recent years, some schools have also equipped their dormitories with comic corners and fitness rooms in order to differentiate themselves from other schools.
Furthermore, if the accommodation provides rental bicycles, your living environment will be greatly expanded and very convenient.
In addition to the rooms you'll be staying in, be sure to check out the reviews about the facilities within the building!

(2) Of course the most important! Check all information about your room

During the two-week driving license training camp, the quality of the room you sleep in will greatly affect your life during the period.
Many people value cleanliness and facilities, but one thing you should not overlook is the internet environment. In fact, some dormitories do not even have Wi-Fi. If you enroll without knowing this, you may find the two weeks unbearable.
Some agent sites that introduce driving schools provide detailed information about the accommodation facilities. Be sure to thoroughly research these and reviews from actual participants to make a choice of accommodation that you won't regret.

4.About the school building

(1) It goes without saying, but the school building is where you spend the most time during the training camp.

Keep in mind that you will be spending a lot of time in the school building other than lessons, so check out reviews about the school building. Although a considerable amount of time will be devoted to training during the training camp period, there will always be some slack time. This is different if there is a place to spend leisure time nearby or a dormitory that you can walk back to, but basically you will spend that time in the school building. So, check out reviews from actual participants to find out if there are places in the school building where you can relax to some extent or where you can interact with friends and other participants.

(2) Of course, a new and clean school building is nice. Check out the equipment too!

As with the dormitories, be sure to check the facilities at the school as well.
As mentioned in (1), some schools now have karaoke rooms and table tennis courts on campus as places to spend your off-time. If you go to a school like that, you won't get bored during your free time.
Another thing that many people overlook is whether or not the school has a place to study, including computer learning facilities. This can make a bigger difference than you might think when it comes to preparing for written exams.
There are countless other examples, but be aware that there are other criteria for evaluation besides "cleanliness" and "newness."

5.About the surrounding environment

Since you will be living in an unfamiliar place for a long period of two weeks, it is essential to check the surrounding environment. Here, let's consider the evaluation by dividing it into two points: the environment as a living place and the environment as a travel destination. The evaluation standards for reviews vary depending on the person, so the reviews you should refer to will differ depending on what items you place importance on.

(1) Start by fulfilling your surroundings! About “the environment as a place to live”

In addition to the accommodation, the surrounding environment also affects life during the training camp.
Whether or not there are supermarkets and convenience stores nearby will have a big impact on your life, not only for those who are considering Self Cook, but also for those who are not. Even if you have a plan that includes meals, it can be inconvenient if there are no places nearby where you can do some small shopping.
At the very least, we recommend that you find out whether there are convenience stores or drug stores within walking distance of your accommodation or school, or whether there are shuttle buses that go to those places. Some schools may even provide transportation to and from the school.
If you are more concerned about living environment than the number of places to play, check out the reviews for this item.

(2) Driving Camp is also a trip! About the “environment as a travel destination”

Make the most of your two-week stay at this training camp by also enjoying sightseeing in the surrounding area!
If you are particularly concerned about the area when choosing a school, be sure to check this item. As mentioned in 2-(3), if you have already decided on a tourist spot, the convenience of transportation around the school and accommodation is almost a must.
Also, since you will be spending a long period of time there (2 weeks), you will need some leisure spots. Make sure you know in advance what kind of leisure spots are available around the school.
As I neglected to do my research on this point, I was forced to live a life where my only source of enjoyment for two weeks was food.
This item is also likely to show up in reviews, so be sure to check it carefully beforehand.

[3] Carefully selected from driving schools across the country! Introducing schools with high ratings based on participant reviews

We have carefully selected schools that have many students from driving schools all over the country and have high word-of-mouth reviews!
Along with the school introduction, we have quoted actual examples of reviews from Google reviews that can be helpful when choosing a school. When looking at reviews of other schools, please be aware that you should look for the following types of reviews.
We have also included comments on some points to keep in mind when reading reviews like those mentioned above, so please feel free to use them as a reference.

1. Matsuki Driving School Akayu School (Yamagata)

The practice course and school building, which were renovated in 2016, are very popular. You can drive a new car on the new course and relax in a hot spring after the lesson!

School information from Google reviews

"It depends on the accommodation, but I stayed at Village A, which was close enough that I could return to it whenever I had free time, so I was able to stay there very comfortably."
↑Not only are the dormitories close by, but you can also spend your free time there. Please note that depending on the school, you may not be able to use the dormitories during your free time.

"The price and location were just right, and we got a free ticket to the nearby Akayu Onsen, which we could go to for free every day, so as a hot spring lover like me, I jumped at the chance."
↑ It says "reasonable prices and location," but this judgment varies from person to person. This kind of information is subjective. On the other hand, information about hot springs is objective.

"You can take a dip in the hot springs, and there are lots of tourist attractions nearby, so I think it's a great place."
↑It's great that there are so many tourist attractions, but people's judgment of how close "surroundings" are may vary.

...The new dormitory on the premises of the driving school is convenient and comfortable! In addition to the hot springs, which are popular with many people, the school also has facilities where you can enjoy sports such as tennis, badminton, and soccer, so you can spend your free time fulfillingly.

Other detailed school information, including fees, can be found here.

2. Komagane Driving School (Nagano)

This is a driving school located in a resort area surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Alps. We have a full range of facilities, including comfortable accommodation, a theater room, massage machines, and a fitness corner!

School information from Google reviews

"It's a one-room apartment with an auto-lock system, so security is perfect. There's a driving school, restaurant, and apartment on the premises, so it's convenient for whatever you want to do."
↑This information is unchanging for everyone. It can be said to be objective.

"There is a supermarket, a bookstore, a DVD rental store and a Seven-Eleven within a 10-minute walk, so it's very convenient. There is a PS2 in the room so you can watch DVDs."
↑There is a DVD rental store nearby and you can watch movies on the PS2 in the room. This is information that can only be found through word of mouth. Word of mouth also gives you information that is not included in the explanations on websites.

"The cafeteria has a cake buffet on Fridays. If there's any left over, you can have it at dinner."
↑Information about the cake buffet is also listed on the website, but the fact that you can also eat it at dinner is information that only actual participants can learn.

…The lodgings are designed with the users in mind and are as comfortable as a hotel! A cake buffet, which is popular among trainees, is also held every week. You can spend the two-week training camp period without stress.

Other detailed school information, including fees, can be found here.

3. Niigata Chuo Driving School (Niigata)

About 10 minutes walk from JR Niigata Station! It's located near the downtown area, so you won't get bored even during your off hours. The school is about two hours away from Tokyo by Shinkansen, so many students come from the Kanto region.

School information from Google reviews

"There are vending machines for drinks and snacks on campus, and a convenience store is within a 10-minute walk. There is also a Don Quijote and an internet cafe nearby, and if you walk 15 minutes to Niigata Station you'll find Starbucks and other stores."
↑It's easy to imagine the distance when specific times are written.

"There is a shuttle bus, but it runs every hour, so be sure to leave early. You can also walk, but it takes about 20 minutes (depending on the accommodation)."
↑Information about shuttle buses is often not listed on websites, so be sure to check!

"For breakfast and dinner, we use meal vouchers that can be used at restaurants in the area. The sushi on the Japan Sea coast is particularly delicious, so you can enjoy the luxury of being able to get your license while eating sushi."
↑When it comes to sushi, opinions are less likely to differ, but in general opinions about food vary greatly from person to person.

…As it is close to Niigata Station, where the station square is flourishing, there are plenty of surrounding facilities! It is also convenient that the shuttle bus runs regularly. It's also nice to enjoy Niigata's gourmet food during your off time.

Other detailed school information, including fees, can be found here.

4. Kakegawa Driving School (Shizuoka)

The school attracts students from various parts of the Kanto and Kansai regions, as it is easily accessible from both Tokyo and Osaka, about two hours by Shinkansen. There are various shops around the newly renovated and beautiful school building, making it very convenient.

School information from Google reviews

"Within walking distance of the school there is a hamburger restaurant, ramen shop, supermarket, 100 yen shop, karaoke, yakiniku restaurant, BOOKOFF, electronics store, McDonald's, etc... There is pretty much everything you could want, so I think the location is pretty good."
↑If the specific store name is listed, it will be easier to get an idea of what the surrounding area is like.

"I recommend staying in a hotel, even if it costs a little more than sharing a room. You have to walk about 100m to do laundry or take a shower."
↑It depends on the accommodation, but it would be good to have this information available in advance so you can consider schools.

"The shared room I stayed in was clean and comfortable with a TV, power outlet, and refrigerator."
↑I think what is considered clean may vary from person to person, but at the very least, if it is described as clean, you can expect a certain level of hygiene.

...It's attractive that there are many restaurants near the school, including Sawayaka, a restaurant where you can eat hamburgers that have become a hot topic in recent years. Regarding accommodation, there seemed to be differing opinions on whether it was better to stay in a shared room or in a hotel. Consider the type of accommodation according to your budget!

Other detailed school information, including fees, can be found here.

5. Kyoritsu Driving School Hino (Nagasaki Prefecture)

About 2 hours by Shinkansen from Fukuoka. There are many attractions including the nationally famous Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo Burger, and Nagasaki Champon! It is one of the most popular schools in Kyushu.

School information from Google reviews

"The school and the accommodation are so close that it's really convenient. There are supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, izakayas, 100 yen shops...everything you could want is available nearby."
As you can see from the picture of the school above, there is a convenience store nearby, so the surrounding area is convenient.

"The Driving School building is not new, but it is thoroughly cleaned and feels tidy. There is also space with desks and chairs where you can study on your own, and Wi-Fi is available so you can watch textbook videos."
Some schools may not have Wi-Fi, so it's important to check beforehand.

"They provide free rental bicycles, so I can practice for the exam course and use them to go shopping in my free time, which is very helpful."
↑Rental bicycles are extremely convenient as they allow you to expand your range of movement during the camp dramatically.

…As you can see from the location of the school and the reviews, it is a school with very good surrounding facilities. Why not take this opportunity to fully enjoy sightseeing in Nagasaki? The school provides transportation expenses, so it is also recommended for those from areas other than Kyushu!

Other detailed school information, including fees, can be found here.

[4] Summary

What do you think? If you have read this far, I hope you understand what kind of reviews you should refer to when choosing a driving school, and what kind of school reviews you should look at.
The driving schools introduced here are just a small part of the options. Please explore to see if there are other schools that suit you.
For many people, this is their first time Driving Camp. By getting lots of information, including reviews, you can choose a school that you won't regret!