Driver’s License Training Camp (Gasshuku) Experience in Gunma

During my winter break in February 2026, I attended a gasshuku—a two-week intensive driving camp—in Gunma Prefecture.

I decided to get my driver’s license in preparation for my three-month internship in the Noto Peninsula, where I assumed driving would be essential for getting around.

I chose Gunma over Kyoto for two main reasons. First, driving schools in Kyoto that offer English lessons are quoted at around ¥400,000. This does not include meals, and the lessons are spread over several months. In comparison, the driving camp in Gunma cost around ¥300,000, which already included a private apartment room and two meals a day. Second, the driving school had a Filipino staff member, making the whole experience much more foreigner-friendly. They also did not charge any additional fees for foreign students.

The course was fast-paced. On the very first day, we were already behind the wheel.

One thing I really appreciated was the instructor rotation system. We were assigned different instructors for each driving session, giving us the chance to learn from different teaching styles and find instructors we were most comfortable with. The only caveat was that each instructor had slightly different preferences and driving techniques, so the advice could sometimes be inconsistent. Of course, there was also the chance of randomly getting your least favorite instructor.

The classroom lectures were conducted through online videos in the lecture room. Tablets were provided free of charge, although you needed to bring your own wired earphones. The only downside was that the videos were entirely in Japanese without English subtitles. Some videos had Vietnamese and Indonesian subtitles, but unfortunately not English—I guess we weren’t the target audience!

Life in Gunma was peaceful despite the busy schedule. Classes sometimes started as early as 7:00 AM and could end as late as 7:00 PM. Before I knew it, I had passed my learner’s permit exam. Thankfully, I was able to complete the course within the scheduled two weeks without needing any extension. My wallet was very happy.