“Gather, Elementary School Students!” Hoda Elementary School Edition (Aired May 2, 2026)～Hoda Elementary School children fully enjoy local traditions, from a pencil-sharpening contest to bracken fern picking.

“Gather Round, Elementary School Students!” airs every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. on FM Kurashiki.

Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to cover what makes each school and its district special, and to hear children talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The May 2, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured “Hoida Elementary School” in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.

Here are the lively voices of the children.

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

The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in August 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

On “Gather Round, Elementary School Students!,” the hosts interview sixth graders at each school they visit, taking a closer look at what makes their school special. Also worth watching is “What We Love About Our School District,” where children share what they like about their community from their own perspective.

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

The children were eager to tell us about what makes Hoida Elementary School special.

About Hoida Elementary School

First to introduce the school was Kimoto Kanon.
Kimoto told us that Hoida Elementary School has warm connections that span across grade levels. Children regularly play and study together with students from different grades, fostering lively interaction.

Another major attraction is the many school events and activities. The children enjoy preparing together for events and activities, and take on all kinds of challenges every day. The gymnasium and classrooms are important places not only for studying, but also for these various events and extracurricular activities.

The children can take on new challenges freely, working together. We got a sense of what makes lively Hoida Elementary School so special.

Hoida Elementary School Students Share What Makes Their School and District Special

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

Ise Roa, Kondo Miku, and Nakagawa Nayu shared what makes Hoida Elementary School and its district special.

1. With a small student body, everyone gets along and there are lots of activities to do together

Their first point of pride was the warm, welcoming atmosphere that comes from being a small school. Everyone gets along very well, and they work together on many activities.

The school has a set of principles the children cherish, called “Hoida”: “Ho means being cheerful and energetic,” “I means doing your very best,” and “Da means getting along with everyone.”

True to these words, the children make the most of their small school community, caring for one another as they enjoy each day.

2. A school surrounded by nature

The second point of pride they shared was the abundant nature around the school.

As well as playing outdoors, the children learn about nature in depth in class and take part in activities such as exploring the local area—another special feature of Hoida Elementary School. The natural surroundings themselves serve as a big textbook and the children’s best playground.

Surrounded by greenery, the children are growing up healthy and carefree.

3. A variety of traditional events that bring school life to life

Their final point of pride was the many traditional events that are hard to experience at other schools.

Throughout the year, the school holds a variety of engaging events, including agricultural activities such as rice planting, rice harvesting, and threshing, where children learn from local residents, as well as bracken fern picking, a uniquely Hoida activity made possible by its rich natural surroundings.

The “Pencil-Sharpening Contest,” where students compete to see who can sharpen a pencil most neatly, marked its 50th anniversary in 2026 and is cherished as a long-standing Hoida tradition.

Supported by the warm cooperation of the local community, these traditional events have given Hoida Elementary School students special experiences they will remember for a lifetime.

The children of Hoida Elementary School are growing up happily as they take part in a variety of traditional events and school activities. We hope they will continue to enjoy school life, watched over by the lush green natural surroundings.

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 took part in the interviews this time.
They dream of becoming nurses, pet shop employees, YouTubers, or artists, while one said, “I want to join the track and field club in middle school.” It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

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

Thank you to everyone at Hoida Elementary School.