“Gather Around, Elementary School Students”: Otsushima Higashi Elementary School (Aired July 4, 2026)～Warm Friends Like Family! Discovering the Charm of Otsushima Higashi Elementary School, Where Students Learn About Local Jobs and Take Pride in Their Community

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

The July 4, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured “Otomarihigashi Elementary School” in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.

Here are 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 in this article was accurate when it was published in August 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” interviews sixth graders at each school it visits, taking an in-depth look at what makes their school special. Also featured is “What We’re Proud of About Our District,” where children share what they like about their local area from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also features heartwarming interviews that may move adults, too, 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, we visited Otomarihigashi Elementary School in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.

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

About Otomarihigashi Elementary School

First to introduce the school was Ayana Tani. She spoke clearly and confidently about Otomarihigashi Elementary School.

Otomarihigashi Elementary School is a welcoming school with 159 students. It is a small school, with just one class in every grade except sixth grade. But that means everyone knows each other by face and name, and the children are so close that they share a strong bond like a family—the school’s greatest source of pride.

On sunny days, many children gather in the playground during breaks to enjoy playing across grade levels with playground equipment and balls.

Another major attraction of Otomarihigashi Elementary School is its many fun events throughout the year. At the Sports Festival held every May, the whole school works together to achieve good results. At the Learning Presentation in November, students showcase what they have learned in front of a large audience.

“I get a little nervous when I’m presenting, but when it goes well, I feel a great sense of accomplishment,” Tani said, describing how the events help students grow.

There are also plenty of fun events that bring students into contact with nature, including an autumn field trip, sea and mountain studies, and a school trip.

At Otomarihigashi Elementary School, the small class sizes allow every child to take center stage, and everyone gets along and supports one another. Through warm exchange, the children will continue to grow and thrive.

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

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

Three children ranked what they consider the best things about Otomarihigashi Elementary School and its district.

3rd Place: “Many Large Factories” That Expand Children’s Learning

Nishii Ranka, who announced third place, said she was proud that there are many large factories in the school district.

Otomarihigashi Elementary School is located in the southern part of Tamashima, where the factories of leading companies representing Okayama Prefecture and Japan—including Kuraray, a Chugoku Electric Power power station, and Sumitomo Heavy Industries—are located nearby.

In the upper grades, students research these factories as part of their “Period for Integrated Studies.” Nishii also visited a Chugoku Electric Power facility when she was in fifth grade.

Being able to tour the inside of a factory and learn in detail about local industries is a valuable experience unique to the Otomari area. I felt that being able to see up close the work that supports society greatly nurtures the children’s intellectual curiosity.

2nd Place: “A Wide Variety of Shops” That Support Daily Life and Learning

Nagahisa Rentaro announced that the second thing he was proud of was the many shops in the school district.

He said that many shops line Sangyo Road, a major thoroughfare, including supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores, and that he often goes shopping with his family.

He also said that when he was in second grade, he visited these shops as part of a “Town Exploration” study. He remembers being shown areas behind the sales floor that customers don’t usually see and learning directly from shop staff about the ways they do things.

The shops nearby are also places where children can learn.

1st Place: A Local Pride! The “Otomari Festival,” with Its 170 Steps to Climb

Aito Fujioka announced the top-ranked source of pride. He told us about the Otomari Festival, held every October.

The Otomari Festival is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kurashiki City. It is a traditional event loved by many people, especially those in the local community.

Each district has its own “boat,” “senzairaku” festival float, and “danjiri” float, which are paraded through the Otomari area over the course of a day. The highlight comes at night, when people work together to carry a mikoshi and race up an astonishing 170 steep steps.

“I’m looking forward to this year’s Otomari Festival, too,” Fujioka said with a smile, conveying the whole community’s enthusiasm for the festival.

The children of Otomarihigashi Elementary School deepen their learning about the region by working with local shops and businesses. I hope they continue to grow up healthy while cherishing their traditions.

Children’s Voices as They Look to the Future

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

Ten children answered our questions this time.
It’s exciting to imagine their futures—as nail artists, cat café managers, company presidents, and more.

The children’s determination to pursue what they love gave the adults great courage and moved them deeply.

Thank you to everyone at Otomarihigashi Elementary School.