“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 what makes the schools and their districts 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 December 6, 2025 (Saturday) broadcast introduced life at Kashiwajima Elementary School in Tamashima, Kurashiki City.
Here are the lively voices of the children.
This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. The editorial team at Haretoco General Incorporated Association edited and published it.
The information in this article was current when it was published in January 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
FM Kurashiki’s “Gather Around! Elementary School Students”
On “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” the hosts interview sixth graders at the schools they visit to explore what makes their schools special. The program also features “District Pride,” which introduces the good things about the area and what children like about it, from an elementary school student’s perspective.
The program also shares 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, the program visited Kashiwajima Elementary School in Tamashima, Kurashiki City. The school has 228 students. It is a bright, lively place where cheerful greetings ring out every day.
We asked the children to tell us what makes Kashiwajima Elementary School special.
About Kashiwajima Elementary School
The first to introduce the school was Inukai Anri. She spoke clearly about what makes Kashiwajima Elementary School special and about the school’s symbol.
The first thing she mentioned was the students’ energetic greetings.
Students who arrive at school voluntarily take part in a greeting campaign as volunteers. They reportedly greet everyone cheerfully each day, aiming high with the goal of “being number one in Kurashiki for greetings.”
Next, she introduced the metasequoia tree towering beside the school building.
A sign on the tree reads, “Grow straight and tall.” Inukai said, “Like the metasequoia, I want to become an honest and positive person.” The large metasequoia is an important symbol of Kashiwajima Elementary School, watching over the children.
Finally, she introduced the motto cherished by all the students: “Take the initiative, get along, and see things through to the end.” Inukai, a sixth grader, said, “I want to take the initiative in everything I do, get along with everyone, and become someone who sees things through without giving up.”
With its rich natural surroundings, warm motto, and cheerful greetings aimed at making it number one in Kurashiki, Kashiwajima Elementary School is a wonderful place of learning where children can grow up healthy and straight, like the metasequoia.
“What We Love About Our School and District,” According to Kashiwajima Elementary School Students
Next, we’ll introduce what the children are proud of about their school and district.
Three children shared what they love about Kashiwajima Elementary School and its district, ranking their favorites.
1. Nishina, a neighborhood supermarket with a great selection of sweets
Ishibashi Mana told us she was proud of Nishina, the supermarket in the school district.
Nishina was renovated in 2025, she said, making it even cleaner and more convenient. In addition to food, it also offers clothing and a 100-yen shop, making it an essential place for local residents.
What Ishibashi was proudest of was the wide selection of sweets. The shelves are lined with all kinds of treats, from gummies and potato snacks to snacks to enjoy with drinks, offering something for everyone from children to older people.
Nishina, which supports people’s daily lives, was also a familiar place for the children.
2. Hakobe Park, where everyone gathers with a smile
Morishita Riria introduced Hakobe Park.
While more parks have recently become overgrown with grass and see few visitors, Hakobe Park is reportedly always bustling with people of all ages, from small children to adults.
At Hakobe Park, children from Kashiwajima Elementary School play energetically, running around and practicing on the horizontal bars. Morishita also said happily, “I love Hakobe Park.”
It is one of the places we hope will continue to be loved for many years as a favorite spot for children to relax and play.
3. Entsu-ji Temple, where you can encounter mysterious Jizo statues
Nakano Kanta introduced the historic Entsu-ji Temple, founded in 1698. He said he was proud of its abundant nature and the beautiful view from the summit.
Nakano’s favorite feature is the two Jizo statues in front of the gate.
One has an angry expression, while the other is smiling—their contrasting, amusing expressions are part of their charm. There are also Jizo statues with various other expressions on the temple grounds, so he recommended, “Please go and see them.”
It is a temple where you can not only feel history but also make interesting discoveries from a child’s perspective.
At Kashiwajima Elementary School, cheerful greetings ring out as the metasequoia watches over the children. The children spend their days surrounded by local treasures such as Nishina, Hakobe Park, and Entsu-ji Temple. We hope they will continue to grow freely in Kashiwajima, keeping their motto, “Take the initiative, get along, and see things through to the end,” close to their hearts.
Thank you to everyone at Kashiwajima 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-one students answered our questions this time.
Some dreamed of becoming athletes, Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots, jockeys, or company employees. Others said they wanted to be “someone who can talk cheerfully with anyone” or “someone who can make everyone smile.” It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.
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 Kashiwajima Elementary School.
From the Writer
Through the voices of children, “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” will continue to share the appeal of schools and local communities with everyone.
With every school visit, we could see how the children grow each day with the warm support of their teachers and local community.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the children in the community, hoping they can grow up healthy and enjoy their lives.
Articles about FM Kurashiki
FM Kurashiki “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Information
| Name | FM Kurashiki “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” |
|---|---|
| Address | 520-28 Hakurakucho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-430-0828 |
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“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” can also be listened to on the FM Kurashiki website.