"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Yanaihara Elementary School Edition (Broadcast on May 2, 2026) ~ Surrounded by the Festival at Misaki Shrine, Kintoki Carrots, the Blessings of Nature, and Community Exchange at Yanaihara Elementary School

"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 share the charm of their schools and neighborhoods, as well as their big dreams. Through the children's genuine voices, the appeal of the local area can be felt anew.

In the broadcast on May 2, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced "Yanaihara Elementary School" located in Funao, Kurashiki City.

We will deliver the lively voices of the children.

This article is a contribution by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. It has been edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.

The information provided is from the article published in September 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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 things and their favorite aspects of the area from their perspective, is also a highlight.

We will also present heartwarming interviews that make even adults' hearts swell, as children talk about their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always by their side.

This time, we visited Yanaihara Elementary School located in Funao, Kurashiki City.

About the Charm of Yanaihara Elementary School, we asked the children to share their thoughts right away.

About Yanaihara Elementary School

The first to introduce the school is Karin Uneda. She energetically presented the school's charm clearly.

Yanaihara Elementary School is surrounded by rich nature. According to Uneda, the number of students has increased compared to when she enrolled, making the school even more lively and vibrant. She mentioned that every morning, cheerful greetings are exchanged, allowing everyone to start the day on a positive note.

One of the school's prides is its spacious playground, which has also been used for joint athletic events with Funao Elementary School.

Furthermore, she mentioned that having many classes that involve the local community is a significant charm. There are classes where students enjoy activities like disc control and ground golf with local residents, and a "Thank You Meeting" is held to express gratitude to the community, emphasizing the school's warm exchanges with the area.

Children of Yanaihara Elementary School Talk About "School & Neighborhood Pride"

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

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

1. "Mizaki Shrine Festival" Lively with Local People

Nene Okada shared her pride in the festival held annually at Mizaki Shrine.

The autumn festival, in particular, is very exciting, with stalls lined up selling delicious foods like fried chicken, grilled chicken skewers, yakisoba, and candied apples. Additionally, there are goldfish scooping and yo-yo fishing games, along with a lottery with luxurious prizes, making it a lively event enjoyed by both children and adults.

On the day of the festival, elementary and middle school students are said to play energetically at the second park next to Mizaki Shrine.

A summer festival is also held at Mizaki Shrine. If you're interested, be sure to visit!

2. "Funao Winery" Selling Local Wine

Yoichiro Oka introduced his pride in "Funao Winery," which is located on a hill.

At Funao Winery, fragrant wines made from locally produced grapes and delicious ice cream are sold. It is a favorite spot filled with the charm of the region for both adults and children.

Moreover, it is not just a tourist facility; it is also used as a venue for evacuation drills for Yanaihara Elementary School. In times of need, it serves as a reliable spot that supports the community.

3. "Kintoki Carrot," a Specialty Alongside Muscat and Grapes

Kohei Fujita shared his pride in the "Kintoki Carrot" produced in Funao. While Funao is famous for grapes and muscats, Kintoki carrots are also well-known.

At Yanaihara Elementary School, third graders take a year to carefully grow Kintoki carrots. Although daily watering is quite challenging, the joy of harvesting large carrots after diligently caring for them is exceptional.

The experience of growing local specialties is truly a unique initiative of Yanaihara Elementary School. I want to try the nutritious Kintoki carrots from Funao.

Surrounded by the blessings of rich nature and warm exchanges with local people, the children of Yanaihara Elementary School enjoy their school life every day. Let us continue to watch over the children as they grow freely.

Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

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

Two children participated in the interview this time. They expressed their desire to work in fields they love, such as illustrator or patissier. Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.

The sight of children challenging themselves with "what they love" gives great courage and inspiration to adults as well.

Thank you, everyone at Yanaihara Elementary School.

From the Editor

Through the voices of children, "Gather Around! Elementary School Students" will continue to deliver the charms of schools and the community to everyone.

Every time we visit an elementary school, we feel the warm support of teachers and local residents as the children grow day by day.

FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the local children so they can live healthily and happily.