“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Kaminaru Elementary School Edition (Aired July 5, 2025)～Discover what makes Kaminaru Elementary School special, where students thrive surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery of the Takahashi River!

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs on FM Kurashiki every Saturday from 8:00 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 about their big dreams. Through the children’s candid voices, you can rediscover the appeal of the local community.

The July 5, 2025 (Saturday) broadcast featured Uenari Elementary School, located in Otojima, Tamashima, Kurashiki City.

We bring you the lively voices of the children.

This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. The editorial team at Haretoco General Incorporated Association edited and published it.

The information presented was accurate when this article was published in August 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

On “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” we interview sixth graders at the elementary schools we visit to take a closer look at what makes their schools special. Also worth watching is “What Makes Our District Special,” which introduces the good things about the local area and what the children like about it, from an elementary school student’s perspective.

We also bring you heartwarming interviews that may move even 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 Uenari Elementary School.
Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, including the Takahashi River, and watched over by warm-hearted community members, the children enjoy a carefree school life.

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

About Uenari Elementary School

The first student to introduce the school was Tsukamoto Kanato. Though a little shy, he gave his presentation energetically.

Here are three features unique to Uenari Elementary School that Tsukamoto shared with us.

The first is the beauty of the Takahashi River as seen from the school.
In particular, the view of the Takahashi River from the music room is so beautiful it moves you, and it is Tsukamoto’s recommended view. During last year’s (2024) visit, FM Kurashiki staff were so captivated by its beauty that they went to see it from the music room. If you get the chance, be sure to see it for yourself.

The second is the greeting campaign.
Students receive a “greeting card” for greeting people properly, and can exchange 10 cards for a teacher’s button badge. He told us that this initiative makes greeting people fun.

And the third is the Friendship Group activities.
There are two activities: “Friendship Group cleaning,” in which students clean for 20 minutes three times a week, and “Friendship Group games,” where they enjoy games devised by the sixth graders. Both are fun activities that strengthen bonds between friends.

Initiatives that make school life enjoyable, along with a uniquely beautiful view. Tsukamoto’s introduction gave us an even greater sense of what makes Uenari Elementary School special.

Uenari Elementary School Students Share What Makes Their School and District Special

Next, we’ll introduce what the children are proud of: “what makes their school and district special.”

Three elementary school students shared three memorable things they are proud of, each reflecting the community’s close ties.

1. The Takahashi River, where you can experience nature’s bounty

Kawai Hinata was proud of the Takahashi River as seen from the school, which had also come up in the school introduction earlier.

According to Kawai, the Takahashi River, which flows through the Uenari school district, is a rare brackish-water area where the sea and river waters mix, a special place where creatures not found in ordinary rivers live. Many people visit to take photos of large birds called ospreys catching fish.

She told us that on fine days, the surface of the Takahashi River sparkles, and in the morning and evening, the colors of the sky are reflected in the water, creating a scene like a painting.

The Takahashi River is a place the Uenari District is proud of, where you can feel the power and beauty of nature. It’s wonderful to have such a beautiful, peaceful view right next to the school.

2. Suidoyama (Shirogane-yama), whose colors change with the seasons

The place Akazawa Karen was proud of was Shirogane-yama, also known as Suidoyama, near Uenari Elementary School.

She told us that the view from the top of Suidoyama is very beautiful, and that at night, the city lights sparkle and look even more beautiful than in the morning.

The trees on Suidoyama also change color with the seasons. Every spring, cherry blossoms bloom across the mountain, and the entire mountain turns pink, becoming “Sakurayama” (Cherry Blossom Mountain). In summer, it is lush and green, and in autumn, the leaves turn brilliant colors, so the mountain looks different each time you visit.

Anyone can apparently climb Suidoyama with ease, making it a place you’ll want to visit in every season.

3. The people of the community are Uenari District’s greatest pride

The final thing Hirano Kaho shared was her pride in the kind community members who always watch over the children with warmth.

On hot and cold days alike, community members stand at the school gate every morning and welcome the students with cheerful greetings of “Good morning.” Hirano told us that hearing those greetings gives her “a boost and helps me enjoy a pleasant day.”

When the children leave school, community members watch over them and offer kind words such as “Welcome home” and “Take care.”

Community members also actively help with events such as sports days and festivals.

The students at Uenari Elementary School strongly felt how much they are supported every day by these community members. Hirano said, “The people in our community are what Uenari District is most proud of.”

Children can enjoy a safe and happy school life thanks to the people in their community. Her presentation conveyed a heartfelt sense of gratitude toward them.

Children’s voices as they look to the future

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

Twenty students took part in the interviews.
The dreams they shared were wonderfully varied, from becoming professional athletes or teachers they admire to becoming hairdressers. It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

Their determination to pursue what they love brought warmth, courage, and inspiration to us adults, too.

Thank you, everyone at Uenari Elementary School.

From the Writer

Through “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” we will continue sharing the appeal of schools and local communities through the voices of children.

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

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