“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School Edition (Broadcast March 21, 2026)～Five Shrines and a Beloved Confectionery. The Children of Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School, Daisuke Takahashi’s Alma Mater, Pursue Their Dreams

“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 what makes the schools and their districts special, and to hear from children about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The March 21, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast introduced life at “Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School” in Tsurajima-cho, 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 April 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 an in-depth look at what makes their schools special. The program also features “What We’re Proud of About Our District,” introducing the good things and favorite places in the area 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 and express gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.

This time, the program visited Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School in Tsurajima-cho, Kurashiki City. The school has 231 students and a long, proud history spanning 153 years.

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

About Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School

First to introduce the school was Haruna Baba. She spoke clearly and confidently in a loud voice.

The first thing she mentioned was how well the children get along.
They regularly interact across grade levels through “mixed-grade group activities,” and students in every grade are very close. The whole school is now working to make greetings even more lively, with all the students taking part in a morning greeting campaign at the school gate. Their days are full of energy.

Another essential part of the school’s appeal is the traditional event “Gakutoboshi,” which has been held for generations.
For this event, pictures and words written in calligraphy are attached to the forehead, and a candle inside is lit. At night, the foreheads glow, creating a truly magical scene. “It’s so beautiful—I could watch it forever!” Baba said.

Baba says the children can enjoy school life because many people in the community support the school in various ways, including safety patrols, reading aloud to students, and disaster-prevention volunteering.

Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School cherishes its history and traditions, as well as its ties with the local community, and is surrounded by warm bonds.

“What We’re Proud of About Our School and District,” According to Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School Students

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

Three children shared what they love about Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School and its district.

1. Five Shrines Watching Over the Children

The first thing Yuka Yamamoto told us she was proud of was the five shrines in the school district.

Yamamoto feels that the reason they can go about their school lives happily and safely every day is that the gods are always watching over them.

The five shrines are one of the things the district is proud of, giving the children a sense of security. We hope you’ll visit all five shrines and pay your respects.

2. The Presence of Daisuke Takahashi, a Graduate Who Has Achieved Success Around the World

Next, Tsumugi Ono proudly told us that a world-famous person graduated from the school.

That person is Daisuke Takahashi, who competed in figure skating at the Olympics. Ono happily shared that Takahashi sent a surprise congratulatory message for the school’s 150th anniversary ceremony.

Ono’s words, “I want to make the most of every day and achieve my dreams and goals so I can keep up with Takahashi,” showed how Daisuke Takahashi’s achievements inspire the children of Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School.

3. “Kyukindo,” a Beloved Local Confectionery Shop

The last student to present was Yuki Takahashi.

Takahashi introduced “Kyukindo,” a local shop loved for its Japanese and Western-style sweets.
He says it’s a shop full of delicious treats, offering Japanese sweets such as Kyukin Manju and Kyukin Senbei, its signature products, as well as Western-style sweets like shortcakes, sablés, and cookies.

The shop’s name, “Kyukindo,” comes from Kyukin Susukida, a poet from Tsurajima. It’s a beloved confectionery shop that Takahashi wholeheartedly recommends as “really delicious.” It’s one of the things that makes the district worth visiting.

With its 153-year history and traditions, Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School provides an environment where children can grow freely, supported by the warm support of the local community. We look forward to seeing what dreams the children will achieve in the future.

Thank you to everyone at Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School.

The 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.

Nine children answered our questions this time.
Some talked about the jobs they hope to have, such as lawyer, doctor, or pastry chef, while others said they want to be “kind people.” It’s exciting to imagine what they’ll be like in the future.

The children’s determination to take on challenges, driven by the things they love, gave us adults great courage and inspiration, too.

Thank you to everyone at Tsurajima Nishiura Elementary School.