※This page contains affiliate links. Affiliate disclosure Researched: October 2026
Akita Hokubu Driving School is a gasshuku (residential) driving school in Odate, Akita Prefecture.
Quick answer: Akita Hokubu Driving School may suit students who want lodging close to the school and onsen perks. Before applying, check high peak-season prices and arranging some meals yourself. Lowest listed AT price: ¥279,400 (tax incl.); fastest AT course: 14 days.
Basic information
| School | Akita Hokubu Driving School (秋田北部自動車学校) |
|---|---|
| Address | 〒017-0864 秋田県大館市根下戸新町1-45 — Odate, Akita |
| Access | Free school bus from Odate Kajicho bus stop (from Tokyo/Akita) or Shin-Aomori Station (from Sapporo) |
| Shortest course | AT from 14 days / MT from 15 days |
| Meals | Meals are served in a school/dorm cafeteria. Some plans give a meal allowance instead of meals, so you arrange those yourself. |
| Official website | akita-hokubu.com (group website) |
| Booking page (Drivers License) | Check price & availability → |
Pros
- Lodging within 5 minutes of the school
- Hot-spring (onsen) lodging or onsen perks
- Highway lessons on real roads (not a simulator)
- Tohoku discount: ¥10,000 off for travelers from Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata and Miyagi
- Group discount (¥5,000 off)
Cons and things to check
- Peak-season prices rise to about ¥398,200
- Some meals are not included (allowance or self-arranged)
- MT availability and surcharge are unclear on the listing
- Applicants aged 66+ cannot enter
Price (tax incl., AT)
Prices below were listed on the booking page in October 2026 (yen, tax included). They change by entry date and room type, so always check the latest table before applying.
| Entry dates | Price |
|---|---|
| Jan 1–Jan 15, Mar 28–May 31 | ¥279,400 |
| Oct 1–Dec 31 | ¥291,500 |
| Jan 16–Jan 20, Mar 21–Mar 27 | ¥330,000 |
| Jan 21–Jan 31 | ¥376,200 |
| Feb 1–Mar 20 | ¥398,200 |
Dash (—) = plan not listed for that period.
- Holders of a motorcycle license get ¥21,000 off.
- Group discount: ¥5,000 off.
- Transport reimbursement is capped (up to about ¥30,000 round trip, depending on origin).
- Reimbursement requires graduation; reserved seats and green-car fees are excluded.
Lodging and meals
Typical lodging options (names are the facilities' Japanese names):
- ぽかぽか温泉ホテル – hotel, mixed, 5 min by school bus
- アネックスロイヤルホテル – hotel, mixed, 5 min by school bus
- ロイヤルホテル大館 – hotel, mixed, 5 min by school bus
Meals
Meals are served in a school/dorm cafeteria. Some plans give a meal allowance instead of meals, so you arrange those yourself.
Who can enter
- Applicants whose registered address (juminhyo / resident record) or family home is in these areas cannot enter the gasshuku program: Odate, Kazuno, Noshiro, Kosaka, Kitaakita and Kamikoani.
- Applicants aged 66 or older cannot enter.
Student reviews
We did not find public student reviews for this school on the English-language portal we checked (i-drive.jp) or on the official site. We do not invent reviews.
For international students
Foreigner-friendliness: not confirmed
- Lessons and the practical test are conducted in Japanese. An English-language portal notes this for all driving camps; English textbooks or an English written test may exist in the system, but we could not confirm them for this school.
- The school's website (akita-hokubu.com) could not be opened during research, so foreigner support is unconfirmed.
Documents and eligibility for international students: see our gasshuku guide for international students.
Who it suits / who it does not suit
Suits students who want lodging close to the school, onsen perks, and real-road highway lessons.
Less suitable if you mind high peak-season prices, arranging some meals yourself, and unclear MT details.
Summary
Akita Hokubu Driving School offers lodging close to the school, onsen perks, and real-road highway lessons. Keep in mind high peak-season prices and arranging some meals yourself. The lowest listed AT price is ¥279,400 (tax incl.), and the fastest AT course is 14 days. Check the latest prices and your entry dates before applying.
FAQ
Q. How many days does the AT course take at Akita Hokubu Driving School?
A. The fastest AT course is about 14 days and the MT course about 15 days. The exact graduation date depends on your entry date.
Q. How much does Akita Hokubu Driving School cost?
A. The lowest listed AT price is ¥279,400 (tax incl.). Prices rise in peak seasons (see the price table) and vary by room type.
Q. Can I enter if I live in Akita?
A. Applicants living in or having a family home in these areas cannot enter: Odate, Kazuno, Noshiro, Kosaka, Kitaakita and Kamikoani.
Q. Does Akita Hokubu Driving School offer English or foreign-language support?
A. We found no evidence of foreign-language support. Lessons are in Japanese. Ask the school before applying.
More schools
Sources: Drivers License booking pages, school/group websites where available, and i-drive.jp reviews (October 2026). Details change; verify before applying.