“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School Edition (Broadcast October 11, 2025)～A Circle of Greetings with the School Mascot. The Warm Charm of Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School, Carrying On More Than 150 Years of Tradition

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs on FM Kurashiki 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 what makes the schools and their districts special, and to hear children talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The October 11, 2025 broadcast introduced life at “Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School” in Kitase, 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 was current when it was published in December 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

On “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” the hosts interview sixth graders at each school they visit, taking an in-depth look at what makes their school special. Also featured is “What We’re Proud of About Our District,” where children share what they like about their local area from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also features heartwarming interviews that may move adults, too, 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, the program visited Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School in Kitase, Kurashiki City. Established in 1873, the school has watched over local children for more than 150 years.

The children were eager to tell us what makes Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School special.

About Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Nakagawa Himeka.
She told us what makes the school special in a relaxed, confident manner.

Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School has a history of more than 150 years. As of October 2025, around 600 students are enrolled, and the school is bustling every day.

The school once had a poplar tree that was cherished as its symbol. However, it grew too tall, and unfortunately had to be cut down for safety reasons.

Nakagawa also said that local residents warmly watch over the children every day as they travel to and from school. The school provides a safe environment for students to attend.

With its long history and traditions, Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School is a place where children can grow in a safe and secure environment, thanks to the cooperation of the local community.

“What We’re Proud of About Our School and District,” According to Daiyon Fukuda 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 they like about their school and district.

1. Lively greetings

The first to speak was Ogura Ryogo. He told us about the lively culture of greeting others at Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School.

Every morning, students on the student council stand at the school gate and take the initiative in greeting others. The greetings are never one-sided: students who are greeted always respond, making this an important form of communication at the school.

The school is filled with lively greetings from the start of the day. It seems like a great way to begin the morning.

2. Four mascots representing the school

The second student to speak was Katayama Nao. Katayama introduced the four mascots of Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School.

The main character, a bear named Shifukuma
“Warausa,” a rabbit who is always smiling
“Tsunegen,” a fox who is always energetic and cheerful
“Shifukurage,” a cute jellyfish that is very popular with the students

The mascots were chosen by vote from drawings submitted by students across the school.

It may be unusual for one school to have as many as four mascots. This distinctive group of four adds to the school’s energy and appeal.

3. Mizushima Rinkai Railway’s efforts to bring smiles to the community

The last student to speak was Kawabata Yohei. He told us about the efforts of the local Mizushima Rinkai Railway.

Mizushima Rinkai Railway brightens the community with seasonal decorations for events such as Halloween trains and Christmas trains.

Kawabata said he has ridden Mizushima Rinkai Railway many times. He is proud that this familiar railway works to bring enjoyment to people in the community.

The decorations for Mizushima Rinkai Railway’s events are handmade one by one by railway staff. The railway not only offers fun and convenience, but also brings color and warmth to everyday life—perhaps something unique to a local railway like Mizushima Rinkai Railway.

Surrounded by a warm community and the four distinctive mascots, the children of Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School will surely continue to grow and thrive. We hope to keep watching over them so they can enjoy school life with peace of mind.

Children’s voices as they look to the future

After hearing all about what makes the school special, we also asked the children about their dreams for the future.

Twelve students took part in the interviews. It’s exciting to imagine their futures as chefs, police officers, childcare workers, nurses, athletes, and more.

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

Thank you to everyone at Daiyon Fukuda Elementary School.

From the Writer

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

With every visit to an elementary school, we have seen how children grow each day with the warm support of teachers and the local community.

FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over local children and support them in living healthy, happy lives.