“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Odaka Elementary School Edition (Aired September 13, 2025)～More Than 1,000 Students! The Community’s Charms and Team-Building Initiatives That Odaka Elementary School Takes Pride In

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” is broadcast on FM Kurashiki every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on what makes the schools and their districts special, and to hear from children as they talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The September 13, 2025 (Saturday) broadcast introduced Otaka Elementary School in Horinan, Kurashiki City.

Here are the voices of these energetic children.

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

The information presented was current when the article was published in November 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

On “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” we interview sixth graders at the elementary schools we visit to take a closer look at what makes their schools special. Also featured is “Pride in Our District,” where children share what they like and appreciate about their community from an elementary school student’s perspective.

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

This time, we visited Otaka Elementary School in Horinan, Kurashiki City. Established in 1873, the school boasts a history of more than 100 years.

We asked the children to tell us what makes Otaka Elementary School special.

About Otaka Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Kubota Nana. She spoke confidently, showing no sign of nervousness, and told us three things that make the school special.

First is the large student body, with more than 1,000 students across the school.

According to a 2024 survey, Otaka Elementary School had the third-largest student enrollment in Kurashiki City.

In addition to having opportunities to build friendships with many people, students say that at events such as the sports presentation and learning presentation, everyone works together, making the events even more enjoyable. She told us that at the sports presentation, 144 students in her grade formed a circle, joining together as one.

Second, all students work on the “Four Pillars of Otaka” to make school life more comfortable.

The Four Pillars of Otaka are four practices: “greeting,” “lining up shoes,” “walking in the hallways,” and “cleaning in silence.” Not everyone has mastered them yet, but the student council and sixth graders are leading discussions to make sure everyone can participate happily.

And third, students in paired grades spend time together.

At Otaka Elementary School, sixth graders are paired with first graders, and fifth graders with third graders. Students in paired grades enjoy interacting across grade levels by planning activities to do together during recess and showing each other their performances for the sports presentation.

Kubota said, “By talking with students in grades I don’t usually talk to, I can learn how to interact with people of different ages.”

We learned that Otaka Elementary School makes use of its large student body in a variety of ways. It was an introduction to a school where students can feel not only connections among their peers, but also bonds across grade levels.

“What We’re Proud of About Our School and District,” as Told by Otaka Elementary School Students

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

Three elementary school students told us what makes the Otaka school district special.

1. A Summer Tradition in the Community: “Otaka Summer Festival”

The first presenter was Yamamoto Ayana.
She introduced the “Otaka Summer Festival,” a summer tradition held every year at Otaka Elementary School.

The Otaka Summer Festival has many food and game stalls, and Yamamoto recommended target shooting and shaved ice.

Target shooting is fun because you get to shoot a toy gun and feel like a sniper. When it comes to games at a festival stall, target shooting is definitely a must.

She said shaved ice tastes even better because you eat it at a crowded, hot and humid venue. The crunchy ice and sweet syrup are another flavor unique to summer festivals.

The Otaka Summer Festival is held every year as a community event that brings together people from the neighborhood. Yamamoto excitedly said, “I want to go again this year with my friends.”

The recording took place before the 2025 Otaka Summer Festival was held.

2. A Wealth of Parks That Nurture Mind and Body

Next, Kanno Hina told us about the many parks in the Otaka school district.

Kanno said the parks have two main attractions.

The first is their abundant nature.
She said that in addition to playground equipment such as swings and slides, there are open grounds about the same size as the play areas, as well as many trees, which she feels enrich the heart.

The second attraction is the variety of playground equipment, so that children of all ages can enjoy themselves. There are facilities for many children to enjoy, including slides, sandpits, swings, and horizontal bars.

Kanno especially recommended Sakazu Park.
Sakazu Park has an area where visitors can play in the water, making it especially enjoyable during hot weather. The spacious environment is also a big draw for children.

3. An Area Full of Delicious Eateries

Finally, Mimura Yuka told us that there are many delicious eateries in the Otaka school district. She recommended two places in particular.

The first is “Yakiniku Marui Meat Shop.”
At this restaurant, meat is brought to your table on a Shinkansen train, and children aged elementary school and younger receive a treat at the end, among other touches that make it fun for both adults and children. It’s a child-friendly place where you can enjoy delicious yakiniku with a sense of excitement.

The second is “Okazuya Natsuki,” a bento shop.
The side dishes are homemade, and the menu changes every day, so you can look forward to wondering, “What will today’s side dish be?” The bentos contain a good balance of meat, fish, and vegetables, and provide plenty of nutrition, which is another reason she recommends them.

We heard there are many other delicious eateries in the Otaka school district, too, making us want to visit.

The children’s stories were full of things that made us want to visit the Otaka school district ourselves. We hope they enjoy delicious meals, play freely in the parks, and grow up healthy. Thank you to everyone at Otaka Elementary School.

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.

Twenty students answered our questions this time.
Some children spoke enthusiastically about the jobs they would like to try in the future, while others had not yet decided on a career but said, “I want to be this kind of person!” Every answer was full of personality, and imagining everyone’s future made us excited.

The children’s determination to take on challenges, driven by the things they love, gave us adults great courage and inspiration, too.

Thank you to everyone at Otaka Elementary School.

From the Writer

Through the voices of children, “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” will continue to share the appeal of schools and communities with everyone.

With every visit to an elementary school, we have seen how children grow day by day with the warm support of their teachers and local community.

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