"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School Edition (Aired on April 25, 2026) ~ The School Closest to the Seto-Ohashi Bridge in Japan! Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School with 153 Years of History

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

The program features personality Asuka Abe visiting elementary schools in Kurashiki City, interviewing children who talk about the charm of their schools and neighborhoods, as well as their big dreams. Through the genuine voices of the children, the appeal of the community can be felt anew.

In the broadcast on April 25, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced the situation at Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School located in Shimotsui, Kurashiki City.

We will deliver the lively voices of the children.

Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School closed at the end of March 2026.
On April 1, it was integrated with Shimotsui West Elementary School and Shimotsui Junior High School, and the first compulsory education school in Kurashiki City, "Kurashiki City Shimotsui Gakuen," was opened.

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 Around! Elementary School Students"

In "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we conduct direct interviews with sixth graders at the visited elementary schools, deeply exploring the charm of the schools everyone attends. Additionally, the "Neighborhood Pride" segment, where children share the good and favorite aspects of their community from their perspective, is also a highlight.

Children express their exciting future dreams and convey their gratitude to their families who are always with them... Heartwarming interviews that even adults find touching will be shared.

This time, we visited Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School located in Shimotsui, Kurashiki City. The school closed in March 2026 and is now progressing as Kurashiki City Shimotsui Gakuen.

The Charm of Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School was shared by the last graduating students.

About Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School

The first to introduce the school is Sara Takeshita. She presented the charm of Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School, which has a long history of 153 years.

Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School is located near Washuzan Hill and Shimotsui Port, where one can feel the rich nature, and it is also known as the "school closest to the Seto-Ohashi Bridge." The view of the Seto-Ohashi Bridge from the classroom is impressive, and students can enjoy beautiful scenery every day.

Additionally, the "closeness" that comes from having only 35 students in total is also a charm. The students enjoy various activities together, transcending grade levels, and the entire school is bound by warm ties.

Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School, which closed in March 2026. Ms. Takeshita expressed her feelings about the precious remaining time, saying, "The days we can spend at school are becoming fewer, but I want to create many more memories from now on."

Children of Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School Talk About "School & Neighborhood Pride"

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

Three children presented the charms of Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School and its neighborhood.

1. Various Festivals Color the Town of Shimotsui

Daiki Shimizu presented the numerous festivals that are actively held in the community.

For example, there is the "Fukiage Festival," which is bustling with various stalls and many people, and a powerful festival held in the Obatake area where portable shrines clash fiercely.

At the end of the festival, there are sometimes candy tosses. Shimizu shared a heartwarming episode, saying, "My dad worries and stays in the back, so I can't catch many candies."

Shimizu expressed, "I want to continue the tradition of the festival." The children who grew up at Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School will surely enliven the future festivals of Shimotsui.

2. Enjoying Nature at the Seto-Ohashi Bridge and Washuzan Hill

Next, Momoka Kodama introduced the rich nature and beautiful scenery surrounding the school.

The Seto-Ohashi Bridge, visible from the classroom windows, is registered in the Guinness World Records as the longest road-rail combined bridge in the world. She proudly spoke about how Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School is the "school closest to the Seto-Ohashi Bridge" in Japan.

Additionally, every April, it is a tradition for students from first to sixth grade to climb Washuzan Hill in mixed-grade groups during the spring field trip. The time spent eating lunch and playing together while enjoying the beautiful scenery from the top of the mountain has become an invaluable memory for the children.

3. Warm Community Members Supporting Learning and Events

The last presentation was by Yae Kodama. She spoke about the community members who always support the school.

Community members serve as guest teachers in classes and as instructors for the "Calculation Dojo," teaching the children various things. Thanks to the active cooperation of community members in the school's initiatives, events and classes have become more enjoyable and fulfilling.

The daily greetings are warm, and the children of Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School were able to spend their school lives with peace of mind. The presence of community members supporting the school has become a great treasure.

Closing the curtain on 153 years of history, Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School takes a new step forward.
The bonds nurtured among the children under the watchful eye of the Seto-Ohashi Bridge will surely be carefully passed on to the newly established Shimotsui Gakuen. Let us continue to warmly support the bright future of the children.

Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

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

Five children participated in the interview this time.
Baseball players, tennis players, bakers, professional gamers, and jobs using computers... Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.

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

Thank you to everyone at Shimotsui Higashi Elementary School.