A once-in-a-lifetime Driving Camp. Because of Driving Camp, there are many people who do not have prior knowledge and want to choose a school carefully based on word of mouth.
However, in reality, we are so concerned about limited reviews that we end up excluding good schools from our list without even realizing it.
This is because many people do not know what kind of reviews they should refer to.
Here we will introduce in detail what you should look out for in the reviews of Driving Camp, and which driving schools across the country have high reviews from participants.
Once you have finished reading, you will know how to use reviews correctly, and you will be able to choose the school you want to attend with confidence.

[1] Don't take everything at face value! What is the correct way to use reviews?

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 you travel, even if you go to the same place, your impression of the trip or destination will change depending on the people you're traveling with, the weather, your physical condition, etc.
Also, for many people, Driving Camp is something they only experience once in a lifetime. In other words, participants are basically unable to make a relative evaluation in comparison 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?

You may have had the experience of looking up the reviews of a school you thought was good, only to find a lot of bad reviews.
However, this reflects the characteristics of word of mouth, and it is never a good idea to exclude a school from being a candidate 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

Many people write reviews about instructors, so it's easy to get curious about them, but let's just think of this as ``someone felt that way.''
This is because instructors are also human beings, so compatibility will inevitably arise depending on the person.

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.

In conclusion, when referring to reviews of Driving Camp look for ones with objective evaluations.
As mentioned above, reviews from actual participants are subjective. It is not information about comparisons with other schools, but whether the school was good or bad is just the impression the person felt at the time. Therefore, instead of looking at ``food'' and ``atmosphere,'' be aware of the evaluations of things that are less likely to change depending on the person, such as ``facilities,'' ``location,'' and ``surrounding information.''

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

Decide what you want to focus on when choosing a school. This is because it is difficult for many people to find a school that meets all of their desired requirements.
In the following chapter, we have listed five factors that participants often cited as deciding factors when choosing a school, even though they involve objective evaluation. Please use this to help you consider which points you want to focus on.

[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 remove it from the list.
However, many people are unfamiliar with the price range of Driving Camp. I think there are a variety of people, including those who want to know the approximate market prices of popular schools, and those who want to get the cheapest price possible. Since such a wide variety of people write reviews, their evaluations regarding the price of a single school will vary.
The general market price for Driving Camp is ``around 250,000 yen,'' so consider the price while comparing it with the fees of other schools for your desired admission period.

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

Please be aware that the prices you see on flyers and online advertisements may be much lower than usual.
Such low prices can only be achieved if the following conditions are met: These conditions include ``off-season,'' ``sharing a room,'' and ``self-catering.''
If you are a university student, you will likely go to Driving Camp during summer or spring break. At this point, we are no longer within the "off season" conditions. Furthermore, ``shared room'' and ``self-catering'' plans may or may not be suitable depending on the person.
Therefore, first decide which is your priority, price or timing, and then search for a school that fits your budget. Generally, at the end of September, prices drop considerably compared to the top prices in August, so this is recommended for those looking for cheap prices!

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 nearby school because you are concerned about transportation costs, be careful!
This is because many schools provide transportation expenses to participants.
In fact, about 70% of university students in the Tokyo metropolitan area who go to Driving Camp during spring break or summer vacation choose a training camp in Yamagata Prefecture, which is far from the Kanto area. Regardless of the distance to the school, many people attend training camps at popular schools.
If you have only considered schools close to your home for no particular reason, try broadening your horizons and consider schools in other areas.

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

In addition to the location of popular schools, there are other things to consider when considering the area. Examples include "famous tourist spots," "places close to my hometown," and "places I've never been to." Of course, there are some people who want to choose one nearby.
Among these, we recommend choosing a place where you can go sightseeing and traveling while also getting a driver's license. You can enjoy the real pleasure of Driving Camp, which is not available when commuting to school. For most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime Driving Camp, so choose the area 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 dormitory to the surrounding area. This is because even schools with good facilities often lack leisure facilities nearby. It is also possible that a student chose a school with the sights of a certain tourist spot in mind, but in reality, even within the same prefecture, it was necessary to travel by car from the school to that tourist spot.
If you are planning to visit sightseeing spots or leisure facilities near the school, be sure to check reviews regarding access to the area.

3.About the accommodation

When looking at lodging reviews, organize the information into two categories: They are about ``the facilities in the dormitory'' and ``about the room in which you will be staying.''
When looking for a condominium or apartment to live in, you may find that the facilities themselves are older, but the rooms have been renovated and are clean.
When researching accommodations for Driving Camp don't just look at the exterior photos; instead, be sure to understand these two points before considering them.

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

Researching amenities outside of your own room is more important than many people think. This is because the level of enrichment of off-time other than lessons changes depending on the facilities in the dormitory.
For example, if there is a communal lounge in the dormitory that gives a sense of freedom, you will be able to interact with other participants and may even lead to unexpected encounters. Additionally, in recent years, some schools have equipped their dormitories with comic corners and fitness rooms in order to differentiate themselves from other schools.
Also, if you have a lodging with rental bicycles, your living environment will be greatly expanded and it will be very convenient.
In addition to the room you'll be staying in, don't miss out on the reviews about the facilities inside the hotel!

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

During the two-week license training camp, the quality of the room you sleep in has a huge impact on how you live during the training camp.
In addition to the cleanliness and facilities that many people place importance on, one thing that should not be overlooked is the internet environment. In fact, some accommodations may not even have Wi-Fi. If you enter the school without knowing this, you will spend two weeks which can be excruciating for some people.
Some agent sites that introduce driving schools even provide detailed information about the facilities of the dormitory. Thoroughly research these and reviews from actual participants, and choose your accommodation without regrets.

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!

Just like in the dormitory, check the facilities at the school building.
Recently, some schools are equipped with karaoke rooms and table tennis facilities within the school building as places to spend your off time as mentioned in ⑴. At a school like that, you won't get bored during free time.
Another item that many people may overlook is whether or not there is a place to study, including computer study equipment. When preparing for written exams, the presence or absence of this will have more impact than you might think.
There are many other things you can list, but be sure to keep an eye on evaluation criteria other than ``beauty'' 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 influences your life during the training camp.
Whether you are considering Self Cook or not, the presence or absence of a nearby supermarket or convenience store will greatly affect your lifestyle. Even if you have a meal plan, it is inconvenient if there are no places nearby where you can do some shopping.
At the very least, we recommend that you find out whether there are convenience stores or drug stores within walking distance from your dormitory or school building, or whether there are buses that connect to them. Some schools may provide transportation.
If you want to focus on the living environment rather than the number of places to play, check out the reviews regarding this item.

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

Enjoy your two-week training camp life and sightseeing in the surrounding area!
If you are choosing a school with particular emphasis on area, be sure to check this item. As mentioned in 2-(3), if you have decided on a tourist spot, the convenience of transportation near your school or dormitory is almost a prerequisite.
Also, since you will be spending a long period of two weeks, you will need a certain amount of leisure spots. Find out in advance what kind of spots are around the school.
The author, who neglected to do his homework on this point of view, was forced to live a life where the only pleasure he had was daily meals for two weeks.
These items are also likely to appear in reviews, so be sure to check them carefully beforehand.

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

We have carefully selected schools from driving schools across the country that have a large number of students and have high reviews based on word of mouth!
Along with school introductions, we also quote actual examples of reviews from Google Reviews that can be helpful when choosing a school. When looking at reviews of other schools, please keep in mind to look for things like the ones listed below.
In addition, we have posted comments on things to be careful about when reading reviews, such as those mentioned above, so please 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 the A Village I stayed at was close enough that I could go back when I had free time, so I had a very comfortable stay.''
↑You can see that not only is the dormitory close, but you can also spend your free time there. Please note that depending on the school, you may not be able to use the dormitory during your free time.

``It was a reasonable price and location, and I was able to get a free admission ticket to the nearby Akayu Onsen, and it was free even if I went every day, so I jumped at it as I love hot springs.''
↑It says "reasonable price and location," but this judgment differs from person to person. This information is subjective. On the other hand, information about hot springs can be said to be objective.

``I think it's a good place because you can take a hot spring bath and there are many tourist attractions nearby.''
↑It's nice to have so many tourist attractions, but how close the "surroundings" are may differ from person to person.

...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, cafeteria, and apartment on the premises, so it's convenient for anything you want to do."
↑This information is unchanged by everyone. It can be said that it is objective.

"There's a supermarket, a bookstore, and a DVD rental store 7-Eleven within a 10-minute walk, so it's convenient. There's a PS2 in the room, so you can watch DVDs."
↑The fact that there is a rental DVD store nearby and you can watch it on the PS2 installed in your room is information that can only be found through word of mouth. Reviews can provide you with information that is not included in the explanations on the website.

``The cafeteria has a cake buffet on Fridays. If you have any leftovers, you can eat them at dinner.''
↑ Information about the cake buffet is also listed on the website, but the fact that you can also eat it with dinner is information only available to actual participants.

…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 sweets inside the school, and there is also a convenience store within a 10-minute walk. There are Donki and internet cafes nearby, and if you go to Niigata Station, which is about a 15-minute walk, you can find a Starbucks."
↑If a specific time is written, it is easier to imagine the distance.

``There is a shuttle bus, but it runs every hour, so get there early.You can also walk, but it takes about 20 minutes (depending on the accommodation).''
↑Information about the shuttle bus is often not listed on the website, so be sure to check it out!

``Breakfast and dinner are paid for with meal coupons that can be used at nearby restaurants.The sushi on the Sea of Japan side is especially delicious, so you can enjoy a luxurious training camp life where you can get your driver's license while eating sushi.''
↑In the case of sushi, I don't think it's difficult to judge, but in general, people's evaluations of food vary considerably.

…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

``I think the location is not bad as there are hamburger restaurants, ramen shops, supermarkets, Hyakuyen shops, karaoke, yakiniku restaurants, BOOKOFF, electronics stores, Mac, etc. within walking distance from the school.''
↑If the specific store name is listed, it will be easier to get an idea of the surrounding information.

``If you're going to choose a shared room, I'd recommend staying in a hotel and be prepared to spend a little more.You have to walk about 100 meters to do laundry or take a shower.''
↑It depends on the accommodation, but it would be a good idea to have this information in advance before considering 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

``It was really convenient to have the school and dormitory close to each other.There's a supermarket, pharmacy, convenience store, izakaya, 100-yen store...everything is nearby.''
↑As you can see from the image of the school, there is a convenience store nearby, and you can see that the surrounding environment is convenient.

“ Driving School building is not new, but it has been thoroughly cleaned and feels clean. There is also a space where you can study by yourself with desks and chairs, and there is Wi-Fi so you can watch textbook videos. is."
↑Some schools may not have Wi-Fi, so be sure to check in advance.

``We have free bicycle rentals, so we can practice for exam courses and use them for shopping in our free time, which is helpful.''
↑If you rent a bicycle, it is very convenient as it will dramatically expand your range of activities during the training camp.

…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 did you think. If you have read up to this point, you will know 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 few. Please feel free to look around to see if there are other schools that suit you.
For many people, this is their first Driving Camp. Choose a school you won't regret by getting a lot of information including reviews!