Gather Around! Elementary School Students: Yanada Elementary School Edition (Aired October 4, 2025) ～ The Secret to “Energetic Children” Lies in the Community! Introducing Yanada Elementary School and the Treasures of Its School District

On FM Kurashiki, “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” is broadcast every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on the appeal of the schools and their districts, and interview children who talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The October 4, 2025 (Saturday) broadcast featured Yata Elementary School in Mabi, Kurashiki City.

Here are the lively voices of the children.

This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. It was edited and published by the editorial team of Haretoco General Incorporated Association.

The information in this article is as of its publication in November 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.

FM Kurashiki’s “Gather Around! Elementary School Students”

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” interviews sixth graders at the elementary schools it visits, taking an in-depth look at what makes their schools special. Also worth noting is “Pride in Our District,” which introduces the good things about the area and what the children like about it, from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also features heartwarming interviews that may even move adults, as children talk about their exciting dreams for the future and express gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.

This time, we visited Yata Elementary School in Mabi, Kurashiki City. The school has about 238 students. The children from first through sixth grade get along well, and the school has a cheerful atmosphere.

We asked the children to tell us what makes Yata Elementary School special.

About Yata Elementary School

The first to introduce the school is Moriki Hayato.
With everyone warmly watching over him, he gave his presentation clearly and confidently.

The first thing Moriki told us was about the history of Mabi, where Yata Elementary School is located.

Yata Elementary School is located in central Mabi, Kurashiki City.
The birthplace of Kibi no Makibi, who served as an envoy to Tang China about 1,300 years ago, the area around the school is home to several sites associated with him, including Makibi Park and Kibinomakibi Station.

Next, he introduced Yata Elementary School’s educational goals.
The school has three goals: “Energetic children,” “Children who care for others,” and “Children who learn proactively.” He said that, true to these goals, the students have continued their school lives by helping one another and refusing to be defeated by the July 2018 heavy rain disaster, which affected the area.

The many school events are another part of Yata Elementary School’s appeal. In spring, there is a Sports Festival, and in autumn, events include a learning presentation, field trips, and social studies excursions, along with many others suited to each season.

In sixth grade, students take part in a “Historical Discovery Walk Rally,” touring heritage sites in the school district in cooperation with local residents. They apparently enjoy learning about their hometown’s history.

Finally, he told us about the new covered swimming pool, completed in fiscal 2022. Being able to swim comfortably without worrying about the weather is welcome news for the children.

Yata Elementary School is a wonderful school where children can grow up happily with goals of their own, while cherishing its history and traditions.

“What We’re Proud of About Our School and District,” According to Yata Elementary School Students

Next, we’ll introduce what the children are proud of about their school and district.

Three elementary school students told us what makes their district special.

1. Mabi’s delicious specialty: bamboo shoots

The first presenter was Haji Yuki. Haji told us two things he likes about bamboo shoots, a specialty of Yata.

The first is their texture.
Mabi’s bamboo shoots, he said, are distinctive because they can be enjoyed in a variety of textures, from crunchy to tender. If you get the chance to try them someday, you may want to pay attention to their texture.

The second is that they go well with all kinds of dishes.
Bamboo shoots are sometimes served in the school lunch at Yata Elementary School, and they can be enjoyed in many dishes, from miso soup with crunchy shoots to salads with a softer bite.

Bamboo shoots are eaten as a matter of course by local people, but Yata’s bamboo shoots are actually a nationally renowned brand. We hope the children will remember the delicious local ingredients they enjoy in school lunches, even when they grow up.

2. A place for the community to relax: Makibi Park

Next, Itsui Kanon introduced Makibi Park. Itsui sees three things that make Makibi Park special.

The first is Hatta Shrine.
Many people visit to pray at New Year’s. They can also try their luck for the new year with a lottery, so the shrine is apparently bustling with local residents.

The second is Takenoko Chaya, where you can get ice cream. Itsui told us that the ice cream flavors change with the seasons, so you can enjoy something different all year round.

The third is its abundant natural beauty.
There are koi in the beautiful pond, and cherry blossoms bloom in spring, offering scenery to enjoy in every season. Photographers and cosplayers also often visit to take pictures of the beautiful landscape.

Itsui told us how much she loves Yata, where Makibi Park is located. It’s clear that children also cherish the park as a place for the community to relax.

3. Mabi Fureai Park, a reassuring ally in times of disaster

Finally, Nakahara Chinatsu told us about Mabi Fureai Park.

Mabi Fureai Park is a newly built park and a place where children can play on the playground equipment and enjoy sliding down the grassy slope. Another feature is a structure called the “Bamboo Gate,” designed by renowned architect Kuma Kengo.

However, Mabi Fureai Park is more than just a park: it also serves as an evacuation shelter in times of disaster. There is also a place where people can get drinking water, making it a disaster-prevention hub that can be used with peace of mind in an emergency.

Mabi Fureai Park was also the venue for the 2024 Mabi-Funao Soodori Dance Festival. Nakahara told us, “There were lots of stalls, but the most fun was running around and playing with my friends.”

Mabi Fureai Park is a favorite playground among children and a place that helps keep the community safe.

The children gave us a thorough introduction to Yata’s appeal, from its delicious local specialty to the parks beloved by children.

If you visit Makibi Park or Mabi Fureai Park, you might meet the energetic children of Yata Elementary School. Let’s all continue to watch over them warmly.

Children’s voices as they look to the future

After hearing all about what makes the school special, we also asked about everyone’s dreams for the future.

Twelve students answered our questions this time.
We heard a range of distinctive answers, from children who admire familiar jobs they have seen up close, such as convenience store or Komeri store clerks, to those who want to be influencers, civil servants, veterinarians, or clothing store staff. Many also wanted to become nursery school teachers. It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

The children’s determination to pursue what they love gave us adults great courage and moved us deeply.

Thank you, everyone at Yata Elementary School.

From the Writer

Through the voices of children, “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” will continue to share the appeal of schools and communities with everyone.

Each time we visit an elementary school, we see how the children grow every day with the warm support of their teachers and local residents.

FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the children of the community, hoping they can grow up healthy and enjoy their lives.