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Shirone Chuo Driving School is a gasshuku (residential) driving school in Niigata (Minami Ward), Niigata Prefecture.
Quick answer: Shirone Chuo Driving School may suit students who want an on-campus dorm and three meals a day. Before applying, check high peak-season prices and lodging far from the school. Lowest listed AT price: ¥253,000 (tax incl.); fastest AT course: 14 days.
Basic information
| School | Shirone Chuo Driving School (白根中央自動車学校) |
|---|---|
| Address | 〒950-1214 新潟県新潟市南区上下諏訪木字論地1107 — Niigata (Minami Ward), Niigata |
| Access | Free school bus from Yashirota Station (west exit), Tsubamesanjo Station and other points |
| Shortest course | AT from 14 days / MT from 16 days |
| Meals | Meals are served in a school/dorm cafeteria. Meals differ by lodging; check your plan. |
| Official website | Not found during research |
| Booking page (Drivers License) | Check price & availability → |
Pros
- Dormitory inside the school grounds
- Three meals a day at the school or dorm cafeteria
- Full round-trip transport reimbursement from some origins
- Highway lessons on real roads (not a simulator)
- Perks such as gifts, tickets or coupons
- Security measures such as on-site staff and cameras
Cons and things to check
- Peak-season prices rise to about ¥374,000
- Some lodgings are up to 25 minutes from the school by bus
- MT surcharge is large (¥55,000)
- Applicants aged 56+ 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 | Shared room | Twin | Single |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1–Dec 13, Jan 1–Jan 14, Mar 29–May 31 | ¥253,000 | ¥264,000 | ¥275,000 |
| Dec 14–Dec 31, Jan 15–Jan 18, Mar 27–Mar 28 | ¥269,500 | ¥280,500 | ¥291,500 |
| Jan 19–Jan 25, Mar 22–Mar 26 | ¥291,500 | ¥302,500 | ¥313,500 |
| Jan 26–Jan 31, Mar 20–Mar 21 | ¥335,500 | ¥346,500 | ¥357,500 |
| Feb 1–Mar 19 | ¥374,000 | ¥385,000 | ¥397,100 |
Dash (—) = plan not listed for that period.
- MT (manual) costs ¥55,000 more.
- Holders of a motorcycle license get ¥11,000 off.
- Round-trip transport costs are fully reimbursed from some origins; others are capped (up to about ¥14,000).
- Reimbursement requires graduation; reserved seats and green-car fees are excluded.
Lodging and meals
Typical lodging options (names are the facilities' Japanese names):
- ル・カルフール – dormitory, mixed, inside the school grounds, curfew 23:00
- 燕三条のホテル – hotel, mixed, 25 min by school bus
Meals
Meals are served in a school/dorm cafeteria. Meals differ by lodging; check your plan.
Who can enter
- Applicants whose registered address (juminhyo / resident record) or family home is in these areas cannot enter the gasshuku program: All of Niigata Prefecture.
- Applicants aged 56 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.
- We could not identify an official website for this school, 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 an on-campus dorm, three meals a day, and transport reimbursement.
Less suitable if you mind high peak-season prices, lodging far from the school, and a large MT surcharge.
Summary
Shirone Chuo Driving School offers an on-campus dorm, three meals a day, and transport reimbursement. Keep in mind high peak-season prices and lodging far from the school. The lowest listed AT price is ¥253,000 (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 Shirone Chuo Driving School?
A. The fastest AT course is about 14 days and the MT course about 16 days. The exact graduation date depends on your entry date.
Q. How much does Shirone Chuo Driving School cost?
A. The lowest listed AT price is ¥253,000 (tax incl.). Prices rise in peak seasons (see the price table) and vary by room type.
Q. Can I enter if I live in Niigata?
A. Applicants living in or having a family home in these areas cannot enter: All of Niigata Prefecture.
Q. Does Shirone Chuo 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.