“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School Edition (Broadcast April 25, 2026)～Children Growing Up in Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School, in a Town Alive with the Spectacular Scenery and History of the Seto Inland Sea

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” is broadcast 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 cover what makes the schools and their districts special, as well as children who talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The April 25, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School, located in Shimotsui, Kurashiki City.

Here are the lively voices of the children.

Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School closed at the end of March 2026.
It was then merged with Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School and Shimotsui Junior High School on April 1, and Kurashiki Municipal Shimotsui Gakuen, the first compulsory education school in Kurashiki City, opened.

This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. The editorial team at Haretoco General Incorporated Association edited and published it.

The information presented is as of the time this article 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 the schools it visits, delving into what makes their school special. Also worth looking forward to is “District Pride,” which introduces the good things about the area and what the children like about it, as seen from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also features heartwarming interviews that may 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 Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School in Shimotsui, Kurashiki City. It closed in March 2026 and is now moving forward as Kurashiki Municipal Shimotsui Gakuen.

The children, who will be the last graduating class of Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School, shared what makes their school special.

About Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Takata Akari. She shared three things she likes about Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School.

The first thing she mentioned was the wonderful view from the school building.
The view from the second and third floors is especially spectacular. On sunny days, sunlight reflects off the Seto Inland Sea, making it sparkle as if sprinkled with glitter. The view from the school building, overlooking the islands and the Seto-Ohashi Bridge, captivates the children.

The second thing is how boys and girls can play together regardless of gender.
She told us that during recess, younger students play tag and older students play dodgeball, with everyone having fun together regardless of gender.

The last thing is how good everyone is at greeting others.
All the students make an effort to greet teachers, friends, and even local residents cheerfully, keeping in mind that they should “look the other person in the eye and speak loudly.”

Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School had 67 students in total. It was full of the warm, welcoming atmosphere unique to a small school and the charm of a school rooted in its community.

“What We’re Proud of About Our School and District,” as Told by Shimotsui Nishi 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 Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School and its district.

1. The beautiful streetscape of Shimotsui, steeped in history

Osaki Kosuzu told us that she is proud of the streetscape, where old buildings with namako-kabe walls still remain.

Among the historic sights, she said that Gion Shrine, which dates back to the Muromachi period, is especially important. Local children love the summer festival at Gion Shrine and look forward to it every year.

The atmospheric streetscape is a treasure of the community for the children, too.

2. Views from Shiroyama overlooking the Seto-Ohashi Bridge

Next, Onishi Nagito shared that he is proud of the view from Shiroyama behind the school building.

At the summit, nothing blocks the view, and the Seto-Ohashi Bridge and islands of the Seto Inland Sea spread out beautifully before you. In October, all the sixth graders climbed Shiroyama as part of their integrated studies. The climb seems to have been a little difficult, but the magnificent view they saw after making the effort is one of the things the children are proud of.

3. Experience the history of the Kitamaebune ships at the Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum

The last to share was Okamoto Momoka. She talked about the Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum, a popular tourist spot in Shimotsui.

The Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum displays materials about the Kitamaebune ships that operated from the Edo period through the Meiji period. It is a valuable place to experience the region’s history firsthand, and Okamoto and her classmates have visited on a town exploration trip.

It is a place cherished by the children as an important site that passes Shimotsui’s history and traditions on to the next generation.

Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School was close to the spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and streets steeped in local history. Surrounded by the warmth of the town, many children grew up there. Now that it has become Shimotsui Gakuen, let’s all watch over the children as they spread their wings even further.

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.

Five children answered our questions this time.
Fishermen, game creators, baseball players, glove makers… It’s exciting to imagine what they’ll become in the future.

The children’s determination to take on challenges, driven by the things they love, gave the adults great courage and moved them deeply.

Thank you to everyone at Shimotsui Nishi Elementary School.