On FM Kurashiki, every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM, we broadcast "Gather! Elementary School Students".
The personality, Asuka Abe, visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to interview children who talk about the charm of their schools and school districts, as well as their big dreams. Through the genuine voices of the children, we can once again feel the charm of the community.
In the broadcast on January 31, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced the situation at "Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School" located in Tsurajima, Kurashiki City.
We will deliver the lively voices of the children.
This article is a contributed piece by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. It has been edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.
FM Kurashiki "Gather! Elementary School Students"
In "Gather! Elementary School Students," we conduct direct interviews with sixth graders at the visited elementary schools, deeply exploring the charm of the schools everyone attends. Additionally, the "School District Pride," where children introduce the good and favorite aspects of their community from their perspective, is also a highlight.
They talk about their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always with them... We will also present heartwarming interviews that will surely move adults as well.
This time, we visited Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School in Tsurajima, Kurashiki City. The school district is filled with community events such as the reading session of Kyukin Susukida and the Senzairaku festival, where children are spending their days full of energy.
The charm of Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School was shared by the children right away.
Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School
The first to present is Shunpei Nishiyama. He introduced the charm of Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School in three points.
The first point is the friendliness of the entire school.
During recess, regardless of grade, students play dodgeball and tag energetically. Also, during the monthly "Vertical Play," sixth graders plan games for all students to enjoy, filling the school with bright laughter.
The second point is the beautiful school building and scenery.
Some people even call the beautifully shaped school building "Cinderella Castle." Thanks to the daily cleaning by the children and the maintenance of flower beds by community volunteers, the school maintains its beauty at all times. Furthermore, since the school building is located on a hill, the view from the windows is excellent. You can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Mizushima Industrial Complex, which has been selected as one of the "100 Night Views."
The third point is the disaster-resistant school building.
There is a very solid bedrock beneath the school building, which is said to be unshakeable even during earthquakes. Additionally, being on a hill means there is no concern about tsunamis. As a fortress protecting the safety of the community, it is also considered a refuge for nearby elementary and junior high schools during major earthquakes.
Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School provides an environment where children can spend their time safely.
Nishiyama said, "I want to work hard so that the good aspects of the school will continue to increase." The positive feelings of each individual, like Nishiyama, are what create the charm of Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School.
Children of Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School Talk About "School & School District Pride"
Next, we will introduce the "pride in the school and school district" that the children are proud of.
Three children presented the charms of Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School and its district.
1. A Learning Place Where the Meiji Poet Kyukin Susukida Lives On
Nanako Yamaoka introduced her pride, which is related to the poet Kyukin Susukida, who was active during the Meiji era. Within the school district of Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School, there is the birthplace of Kyukin Susukida.
Kyukin Susukida is known as a representative poet of Japan, having left behind works that are even included in high school textbooks.
At Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School, every October, they engage in reading sessions of Kyukin Susukida's poems. Representatives from the fifth and sixth grades hold reading sessions together with representatives from nearby schools, continuing the spirit of Kyukin Susukida, a great predecessor of the community.
The environment where children can closely engage with historical literature seems to be a significant source of pride for them.
2. Interaction with Enthusiastic Community Volunteers
Next, Miharu Hirama mentioned the presence of community volunteers who support school life as her pride.
The community volunteers are very active and enthusiastically support the children's learning and daily lives. Specifically, they help with the learning of second and third graders during class time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and gently teach them how to use sewing machines in home economics classes, providing heartfelt support for their learning.
Additionally, they are involved in maintaining the lawn and flower beds, working for the school in ways that are not always visible. Hirama expressed her gratitude for the support of these community volunteers and shared her desire to convey that feeling with cheerful greetings.
3. A Spectacular Festival Where the Community Comes Together: "Senzairaku"
Finally, Yuzuki Shimamura presented the festival called "Senzairaku," where portable shrines parade through the streets.
Senzairaku refers to the floats that appear in the festival, but it seems that Shimamura introduced it as the "common name" for the festival.
There are a total of 23 portable shrines from different districts, and the moment they all gather in one place is said to be very powerful. Shimamura has participated in Senzairaku since childhood and loves singing together and playing the drums vigorously with everyone.
This festival, which unites the hearts of the community, is cherished by the children as an important event symbolizing the bonds of the school district.
With its beautiful school building, rich history, and warm support from the community, Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School is filled with charm. I hope the children continue to enjoy their school life freely and happily.
Thank you, everyone at Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School.
Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future
After learning about the school's charm, we also asked everyone about their future dreams.
The 18 children who answered the interview included aspiring athletes, archaeologists, hairdressers, nutritionists, and presidents of food companies... Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.
The sight of children challenging themselves with "what they love" as their driving force gives us adults great courage and inspiration.
Thank you, everyone at Tsurajima Higashi Elementary School.
Conclusion
In "Gather! Elementary School Students," we will continue to deliver the charm of schools and communities through the voices of children.
Every time we visit an elementary school, we feel that the children are growing every day with the warm support of their teachers and the community.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the local children so that they can spend their days healthily and happily.
Articles About FM Kurashiki
FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Data
| Name | FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students" |
|---|---|
| Address | 520-28 Shirakuratown, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-430-0828 |
"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" can also be listened to from the FM Kurashiki website.