“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Nakasu Elementary School Edition (Aired August 16, 2025) ～ What makes Nakasu Elementary School special as everyone works together to build a better school?

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs 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 report on the schools and their districts, and interview children about their big dreams. Through the children’s candid voices, listeners can rediscover the appeal of the local community.

The August 16, 2025 (Saturday) broadcast introduced life at Nakasu Elementary School in Mizue, Kurashiki City.

We bring you the lively voices of the children.

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

The information presented was current when the article was published in October 2025. 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, taking an in-depth look at what makes their school special. Also featured is “What We Love About Our District,” in which children share what they like about their local area from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also brings you heartwarming interviews that may move even adults, as children talk about their exciting dreams for the future and express their gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.

This time, the program visited Nakasu Elementary School in Mizue, Kurashiki City.
A camphor tree on the school grounds serves as its symbol, and the children apparently came up with a character based on the tree.

What makes Nakasu Elementary School special? Let’s hear from the children.

About Nakasu Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Yuno Torigoe. Although she seemed a little nervous, she explained things clearly and confidently.

Here are three of the wonderful things about Nakasu Elementary School that Torigoe told us about.

The first thing she mentioned was the camphor tree, the symbol of Nakasu Elementary School.
This large tree stands in the center of the school playground. In summer, it provides ample shade where students can cool off.

Next, she introduced Kushumaru, a character created for the school’s 150th anniversary.
Kushumaru is based on the camphor tree, the symbol of Nakasu Elementary School. It was created for the school’s 150th anniversary after students from across the school shared their ideas.

The character’s large eyes are especially charming. Torigoe told us that Kushumaru can be found all around the school and is always watching over everyone.

Finally, she told us about the various initiatives to make the school a better place. These include “GB Cards,” given to students for doing something kind, and “Color Cone Road,” created to reduce the number of people running in the hallways. The school has come up with many creative initiatives.

Torigoe admires the kind teachers at Nakasu Elementary School and told us that she dreams of becoming a teacher herself. Everyone at Nakasu Elementary School is working together to make school life more enjoyable.

“What We Love About Our School and District,” According to Nakasu Elementary School Students

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

This time, three elementary school students shared their favorite spots in the district.

1. Sakazu Park is a place to relax

The first place Tanoue Yu told us she was proud of was Sakazu Park, located near the school.

Sakazu Park is also one of Kurashiki’s celebrated cherry blossom spots. In spring, many people visit to enjoy the beautiful, colorful blossoms.

Sakazu Park has plenty of places to play, and children from Nakasu Elementary School often go there even outside cherry blossom season. It is a familiar and important place for them to relax.

2. Kurashiki Sports Park, a destination for the annual school trip

The spot Ishii Subaru introduced as a local favorite was Kurashiki Sports Park.

Kurashiki Sports Park has an athletics stadium, baseball field, tennis courts, and more. Ishii said its appeal is that visitors can enjoy many different sports.

Nakasu Elementary School apparently visits Kurashiki Sports Park for its annual school trip in May. We hope the park will continue to ring with the children’s lively voices.

3. AEON MALL Kurashiki, a place where kids can find everything they need for fun

The last place Tokura Keishin confidently introduced was AEON MALL Kurashiki.

Nakasu Elementary School is closer to AEON MALL Kurashiki than any other elementary school in Kurashiki City, and Tokura apparently visits once or twice a week.

It’s not just convenient for shopping; the mall also has a variety of facilities, including an arcade and a movie theater, which is a plus for children. AEON MALL Kurashiki is a familiar place for them.

We learned that the area around Nakasu Elementary School is exceptionally well equipped with places for children to play and learn. We hope they will continue to enjoy their district and grow up healthy and happy.

Children’s voices as they look to the future

After hearing all about what makes the school special, we also asked the children about their dreams for the future.

Twenty students took part in the interviews.
Their dreams included becoming illustrators, athletes, chefs, professional gamers, police officers, and more—each one unique. It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

The children’s determination to pursue what they love gave us adults warmth, courage, and inspiration.

Thank you to everyone at Nakasu Elementary School.

From the Writer

Through “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” we will continue sharing the appeal of schools and local communities through the voices of children.

Every time we visit an elementary school, we see how the children grow day by day with the warm support of their teachers and local community members.

FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the children in the community, hoping they can grow up healthy and enjoy their lives.