"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" is broadcast every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM on FM Kurashiki.
The personality, Asuka Abe, visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to interview children who talk about the charm of their schools and school districts, as well as their big dreams. Through the genuine voices of the children, the charm of the community can be felt anew.
In the broadcast on May 2, 2026 (Saturday), we introduced the situation at "Yanaihara Elementary School" located in Funao, Kurashiki City.
We will deliver the lively voices of the children.
This article is a contributed piece by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. and is 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 directly interview sixth graders at the visited elementary schools to deeply explore the charm of the schools everyone attends. Additionally, the "District Pride" segment, where children share the good and favorite aspects of their community from their perspective, is also noteworthy.
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 with them.
This time, we visited Yanaihara Elementary School located in Funao, Kurashiki City.
The Charm of Yanaihara Elementary School was quickly shared by the children.
About Yanaihara Elementary School
The first to introduce the school is Karin Uneda. She energetically presented the charm of the school.
Yanaihara Elementary School is surrounded by rich nature. According to Uneda, the number of students has increased compared to when she entered the school, making the days even more lively and vibrant than before. She mentioned that every morning, cheerful greetings are exchanged, allowing everyone to start the day feeling good.
One of their prides is the spacious schoolyard, 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 they enjoy disc control and ground golf with local people, and a "Thank You Meeting" is held to express gratitude to the community, emphasizing the warm interactions with the region.
Children of Yanaihara Elementary School Talk About "School & District Pride"
Next, we will introduce the "pride of the school and district" that the children are proud of.
Three children presented the charms of Yanaihara Elementary School and the district.
1. "Mizaki Shrine Festival" Lively with Local People
Nene Okada shared her pride in the festival held every year at Mizaki Shrine.
The autumn festival, in particular, is very interesting, with stalls lined up selling delicious foods such as fried chicken, grilled chicken, yakisoba, and candy apples. Additionally, there are goldfish scooping, yo-yo fishing, and 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 grown 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 is a reassuring pride 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. Daily watering is quite challenging, but 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 interactions 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 to the Future
After learning about the school's charm, 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 and 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.
Conclusion
In "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we will continue to deliver the charm of schools and communities through the voices of children.
Every time we visit an elementary school, we feel the warm support of teachers and local people as the children grow day by day.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the local children so they can live healthily and happily.
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Data of FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students"
| Name | FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students" |
|---|---|
| Address | 520-28 Shirakuratown, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-430-0828 |
"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" can also be listened to from the FM Kurashiki website.