“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Nagao Elementary School Edition (Aired February 14, 2026) 〜 The Appeal of Nagao Elementary School, Where Children Grow Up Warmly Watched Over by the Community in a Town with Views of the Shinkansen

“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 cover what makes each school and school district special, and interview children about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The February 14, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured Nagao Elementary School in Tamashima, 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 presented was current when this article 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 each school they visit, taking a closer look at what makes their school special. The program also features “School District Pride,” introducing the things children love about their community from an elementary school student’s perspective.

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

This time, the program visited Nagao Elementary School in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.
The school has 821 students. Surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a warm and welcoming environment where children thrive.

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

About Nagao Elementary School

First to present was Sakura Ishikawa. Speaking clearly and confidently, she shared three things she loves about Nagao Elementary School.

The first is the children’s lively greetings, suited to the time and place.
At Nagao Elementary School, children do more than simply say hello: they call people by name and make a point of bowing after speaking, a practice known as “gosen-gorei” (bowing after speaking). These heartfelt greetings have become a habit, creating a bright atmosphere throughout the school and filling it with smiles, she says.

The second is the large number of students who take part in volunteer activities.
After getting ready each morning, many students voluntarily begin helping out for the good of the school. They clean carefully, looking for dirt as they go, so the hallways and classrooms are always kept sparkling clean.

The third is the delicious school lunches that everyone looks forward to.
Since the meals are made from scratch in the school kitchen, delicious aromas fill the school by third and fourth period. The meals are generous, with fresh vegetables and warm soup, and students can enjoy freshly cooked, hot rice. Ishikawa’s favorite menu item is curry. Being able to enjoy delicious school lunches every day is one of Nagao Elementary School’s great attractions.

Ishikawa says, “What makes our school special today is thanks to the support of many people. I want to keep discovering what makes Nagao Elementary School special while remembering to be grateful to those around me.” Her attitude of gratitude will surely make Nagao Elementary School even more special in the years to come.

“What We Love About Our School and School District,” According to Nagao Elementary School Students

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

Three children shared what they love about Nagao Elementary School and its school district.

1. Warm community connections, with everyone involved in raising children

The first thing Akari Yamamoto shared was the many events that offer opportunities to connect closely with local residents.

At activities such as the town sports day and making New Year’s decorations, people of all ages, from children to seniors, spend enjoyable time together. The children’s association also organizes events such as camping and day trips, creating fun memories. Sports activities such as foot baseball and softball are held as well.

In addition to these many events, local residents also stand along the roads during the school commute to help keep children safe.

Yamamoto says that the “warmth of the whole community coming together to raise children” is a great source of pride for the school district. With the support of local residents, children can enjoy a safe and happy school life.

2. Close ties with local residents

Next, Keigo Takahashi shared the many opportunities to connect with local residents.

There are many opportunities to interact directly with local residents, such as the Nagao Festival and Hana Vola (a flower-filled community promotion initiative). Local residents also watch over children on their daily commutes to and from school, and a culture of exchanging greetings has taken root.

He told us that these everyday interactions with the community are something special to the Nagao school district.

3. Shin-Kurashiki Station, used by many people, and the many appealing local shops

The final presenters were Nonoka Ikemoto and Kanako Ono. They told us about Shin-Kurashiki Station and the distinctive local shops rooted in the community.

Shin-Kurashiki Station is served by the Shinkansen and used by many people every day. Nagao Elementary School is so close to the station that students can see the Shinkansen, making it a familiar presence in their lives. There is a street piano at Shin-Kurashiki Station, and once all the fifth graders sang along to its music. The station staff are also kind, making the station a local symbol that is easy for everyone to use.

The school district is also home to a large shopping mall, as well as community-rooted shops such as Meat Shop Chiya, the Western-style restaurant Eve, and Fujiwara Flower Shop. The town is lively thanks to shops that have continued to be loved by local residents.

The children at Nagao Elementary School spend their days supported by local residents and mindful of their gratitude. I think the connections between the children and local residents are what bring out even more of the school district’s appeal.

Thank you to everyone at Nagao 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.

Thirteen children took part in the interviews this time.
Their dreams include becoming professional athletes, singer-songwriters, florists, and Shinkansen drivers. It’s exciting to imagine what their futures may hold.

The children’s determination to pursue their passions gave us adults great courage and moved us deeply.

Thank you to everyone at Nagao Elementary School.