"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Otsushima Higashi Elementary School Edition (Aired on July 4, 2026) ~ Friends as Warm as Family! The Charm of Otsushima Higashi Elementary School Learning Local Jobs and Taking Pride in Their Community

"Gather! Elementary School" is broadcast every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM on FM Kurashiki.

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 children's genuine voices, you can once again feel the charm of the community.

In the broadcast on July 4, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced the "Otoshi East Elementary School" located in Tamashima, 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"

In "Gather! Elementary School," we directly interview 6th graders at the visited elementary schools to deeply explore the charm of the school everyone attends. Additionally, the "District Pride" segment introduces the good and favorite aspects of the community from the perspective of elementary school students.

We will also present heartwarming interviews that make even adults feel emotional, as children talk about their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always with them.

This time, we visited Otoshi East Elementary School located in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.

The Charm of Otoshi East Elementary School was quickly shared by the children.

About Otoshi East Elementary School

The first to introduce the school is Ayana Tani. She spoke clearly about Otoshi East Elementary School.

Otoshi East Elementary School is a cozy school with 159 students. Although there is only one class for each grade except for 6th grade, the children are so close that they can recognize each other's faces and names, boasting a strong bond like a family.

During recess on sunny days, many children gather on the playground to play joyfully with equipment and balls, transcending grade levels.

Additionally, the abundance of fun events throughout the year is a major charm of Otoshi East Elementary School. During the "Sports Festival" held every May, all students unite to strive for good results. In November, the "Learning Presentation" showcases the fruits of their daily learning in front of a large audience.

Tani said, "I feel a bit nervous when presenting, but when I do well, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment," sharing about the growth gained through these events.

In addition, there are many enjoyable events such as autumn field trips, learning about the sea and mountains, and school trips that allow children to connect with nature.

Because of the small number of students, each one can take the lead, and everyone supports each other at Otoshi East Elementary School. Through warm interactions, the children will continue to grow healthily.

Children of Otoshi East Elementary School Talk About "School & District Pride"

Next, we will introduce the "pride in the school and district" that the children are proud of.

Three children presented the charms of Otoshi East Elementary School and the district in a ranking format.

3rd Place: "Many Large Factories" Expanding Children's Learning

The 3rd place was announced by Ranka Nishii, who proudly mentioned the many large factories in the district.

Otoshi East Elementary School is located on the southern side of the Tamashima area, and nearby are the factories of Kuraray, the power plant of Chugoku Electric Power, and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, which are prominent companies representing Okayama Prefecture and Japan.

In higher grades, students conduct research on these factories during "Comprehensive Learning Time." Nishii also visited Chugoku Electric Power during her 5th grade.

By actually touring the factories, children can learn in detail about local industries, which is a valuable experience unique to the Otoshi area. The environment allows children to closely feel the work that supports society, greatly nurturing their intellectual curiosity.

2nd Place: "The Abundance of Stores" Supporting Daily Life and Classes

The 2nd place was announced by Rentaro Nagahisa, who highlighted the abundance of stores in the district.

Along the major road called Industrial Road, there are many supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores, and he mentioned that he often goes shopping with his family.

Additionally, during the "Town Exploration" learning in 2nd grade, they visited these stores, where they were shown the behind-the-scenes of the sales floor that they usually don't see and learned directly from the store staff about their ingenuity, which left a deep impression on him.

Local stores serve as a learning space for the children.

1st Place: "Otoshi Festival," Climbing 170 Steps, a Source of Community Pride!

The 1st place pride was shared by Aito Fujioka, who talked about the "Otoshi Festival" held every October.

The Otoshi Festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Kurashiki City and is a traditional event loved not only by the local people but also by many others.

Each district has "boats," "Chitose-raku," and "Danjori," which parade through the Otoshi area throughout the day. The highlight occurs at night when they work together to carry the portable shrine and climb the steep 170 steps, which is an impressive sight.

Fujioka said with a smile, "I am looking forward to this year's Otoshi Festival," conveying the passion for the community's festival.

The children of Otoshi East Elementary School deepen their learning about the community in collaboration with local stores and businesses. I hope they continue to grow healthily while maintaining their respect for tradition.

Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

After learning about the school's charms, we also asked everyone about their future dreams.

Ten children participated in the interview this time.
Imagining their future selves as nail artists, cat café managers, and CEOs of large companies is exciting.

The sight of children challenging themselves with "what they love" as their driving force gave great courage and inspiration to the adults.

Thank you, everyone at Otoshi East Elementary School.