“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs on FM Kurashiki every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m.
Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on what makes each school and its district 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 January 24, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured “Tsubue Elementary School” in Tsubue, Kurashiki City.
Here are the lively voices of the children.
This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. The Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team edited and published it.
The information in this article was accurate when it was published in March 2026. 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 the schools they visit, taking a closer look at what makes their school special. Also featured is “What We Love About Our District,” where children share what they like about their community 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, the program visited Tsubue Elementary School in Tsubue, Kurashiki City. Near a chestnut grove where delicious chestnuts are harvested, the children are enjoying a lively school life.
The children were eager to tell us what makes Tsubue Elementary School special.
About Tsubue Elementary School
First up was Kato Sana. She spoke clearly and enthusiastically, sharing three things she loves about Tsubue Elementary School.
The first is its spacious school grounds.
The grounds have playground equipment and soccer and basketball courts, where many children happily play during lunch break. The spacious grounds also come in handy for events such as sports day.
The second is the “chestnut grove” right in front of the school.
Every autumn, the children can gather chestnuts, making it an annual seasonal event. “I look forward to taking the chestnuts we pick home and eating them,” says Kato. The school’s mascot, Kuri, was created in honor of the grove. Both the chestnut grove and Kuri are an important part of the children’s everyday lives.
The third is the warm community.
Various events are held, including summer festivals, the Tsubue Fureai Fair, and sports festivals. The children say these events are supported by local residents and parents. The community’s warm connections help children enjoy school life with peace of mind.
The school’s introduction conveyed the unique appeal of Tsubue Elementary School: nature that lets you experience the changing seasons and the warmth of local people.
Tsubue Elementary School students share what makes their school and district special
Next, we’ll share what the children are proud of about their school and district.
They told us what makes Tsubue Elementary School and its district special.
1. Kameshima Mountain, a symbol of the town
Ikuno Daisuke shared what makes the school and district special. Let’s hear his top three in ranking order.
In third place is the natural setting, surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers.
Greenery right beside the school adds color to everyday life. In October 2025, a disaster-prevention park was also developed as a hub for community safety. The effort to protect people’s lives while living in harmony with nature is one of the district’s great sources of pride.
In second place is the connection with local people.
People watch over the children as they walk to and from school each day and decorate the bulletin board at the school gate with pictures, showing how much they care about Tsubue Elementary School. Thanks to this dedicated support, events such as festivals are held with great enjoyment, and warm bonds have grown as the whole community supports the children.
And in first place is the chestnut grove, a symbol of the school.
Local residents carefully maintain the grove, and Ikuno happily told us, “Thanks to the local people, we get to eat delicious chestnuts every autumn.” Being able to enjoy chestnuts from the grove is a special privilege for the children of Tsubue Elementary School. The grove is a symbol not only of the school, but of the community as well.
Kato and Ikuno’s presentations conveyed how the children never forget to be grateful to the local people. We hope they will continue to grow freely amid the lush greenery and warm community.
Thank you, everyone at Tsubue Elementary School.
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.
Sixteen children took part in the interviews. They shared a wide range of dreams, including becoming Japanese-language teachers, nurses, childcare workers, game creators, and athletes. 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 Tsubue 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 you.
With every school visit, we’ve seen how children grow each day with the warm support of their teachers and local communities.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over local children and support their healthy, happy growth.
Articles about FM Kurashiki
FM Kurashiki “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Information
| Name | FM Kurashiki “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” |
|---|---|
| Address | 520-28 Hakurakucho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-430-0828 |
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You can also listen to “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” on the FM Kurashiki website.