※This page contains affiliate links. Affiliate disclosure Researched: October 2026
Tomobe Driving School is a gasshuku (residential) driving school in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Quick answer: Tomobe Driving School may suit students who want an on-campus dorm and three meals a day. Before applying, check high peak-season prices. Lowest listed AT price: ¥261,800 (tax incl.); fastest AT course: 15 days.
Basic information
| School | Tomobe Driving School (友部自動車学校) |
|---|---|
| Address | 〒309-1717 茨城県笠間市旭町304-3 — Kasama, Ibaraki |
| Access | Free school bus from Tomobe Station (south exit) |
| Shortest course | AT from 15 days / MT from 17 days |
| Meals | Meals are served in a school/dorm cafeteria. Meals differ by lodging; check your plan. |
| Official website | tomobe-ds.com |
| Booking page (Drivers License) | Check price & availability → |
Pros
- Dormitory inside the school grounds
- Three meals a day at the school or dorm cafeteria
- Women-only dormitory or floor
- Full round-trip transport reimbursement from some origins
- Perks such as gifts, tickets or coupons
- Shops and amenities nearby
Cons and things to check
- Peak-season prices rise to about ¥385,000
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 | Single (men) |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1–Dec 9, Apr 16–May 31 | ¥261,800 | ¥269,500 |
| Dec 10–Dec 31 | ¥283,800 | ¥305,800 |
| Jan 1–Jan 10, Apr 2–Apr 15 | ¥286,000 | ¥308,000 |
| Jan 11–Jan 17, Mar 26–Apr 1 | ¥319,000 | ¥341,000 |
| Jan 18–Jan 28, Mar 12–Mar 25 | ¥352,000 | ¥374,000 |
| Jan 29–Mar 11 | ¥385,000 | ¥407,000 |
Dash (—) = plan not listed for that period.
- MT (manual) costs ¥44,000 more.
- Holders of a motorcycle license get ¥22,000 off.
- Round-trip transport costs are fully reimbursed from some origins; others are capped (up to about ¥6,000).
- Reimbursement requires graduation; reserved seats and green-car fees are excluded.
Lodging and meals
Typical lodging options (names are the facilities' Japanese names):
- 校内寮 本館 – dormitory, men only, inside the school grounds, curfew 22:00
- 校内寮 別館 – dormitory, men only, inside the school grounds
- シティホテル友部 – hotel, women only, distance not listed
Meals
Meals are served in a school/dorm cafeteria. Meals differ by lodging; check your plan.
Who can enter
- The booking page lists no residency restriction.
Student reviews
On i-drive.jp (an English-language driving-camp portal) we found 22 reviews in October 2026, averaging 4.1/5 (rooms 3.9, meals 4.1, instructors 4.3, atmosphere 4.1). The reviewer's nationality is not shown, so these are not specific to foreign students.
Often praised: kind, patient instructors, tasty, filling meals, and convenient nearby shops.
Often criticized: repetitive meals, thin walls, and instructor quality varying.
Source: i-drive.jp reviews (paraphrased, not verbatim).
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 checked the official website (tomobe-ds.com) and found no mention of foreign-language support, interpreters or foreigner-specific services. That does not prove none exists — ask before you book.
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 a women-only dorm.
Less suitable if you mind high peak-season prices.
Summary
Tomobe Driving School offers an on-campus dorm, three meals a day, and a women-only dorm. Keep in mind high peak-season prices. The lowest listed AT price is ¥261,800 (tax incl.), and the fastest AT course is 15 days. Check the latest prices and your entry dates before applying.
FAQ
Q. How many days does the AT course take at Tomobe Driving School?
A. The fastest AT course is about 15 days and the MT course about 17 days. The exact graduation date depends on your entry date.
Q. How much does Tomobe Driving School cost?
A. The lowest listed AT price is ¥261,800 (tax incl.). Prices rise in peak seasons (see the price table) and vary by room type.
Q. Can I enter if I live in Ibaraki?
A. No residency restriction is listed.
Q. Does Tomobe 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.