“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. on FM Kurashiki.
Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on what makes each school and its school district special, and to hear children talk about their big dreams. Through the children’s own words, listeners can rediscover the appeal of the local community.
The June 13, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School, located in central 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 July 2026. 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 to take a closer look at what makes their school special. The program also features “School District Pride,” where 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 even move 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 Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School in central Kurashiki City.
The children were quick to share what makes Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School special.
About Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School
Here are five things that Ichika Kato told us make Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School special.
First are the fun events held throughout the year.
There are plenty of events to brighten school life, including a sports festival, a field trip to Mukoyama Park, and overnight study trips to the sea and mountains.
Second are the Fureai Group activities, where students from first through sixth grade take part together.
They play together during breaks and work together to clean, helping everyone get along regardless of grade.
The third thing they mentioned was the greeting campaign at the school gate.
Led mainly by sixth graders, the campaign encourages students to greet one another cheerfully in the morning and start the day on a positive note.
Fourth is the school’s surroundings.
Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School is close to the Bikan Historical Area, City Hall, museums, and other places, making it a wonderful environment where students can experience local history and culture firsthand. The children sometimes visit the Bikan Historical Area for school events and lessons. Kato said, “It’s always lively and lovely.”
The fifth and final thing is the abundance of greenery and nature.
The school grounds include “Midori no Mori” (Green Forest), where cherry blossoms bloom in profusion, and a courtyard inhabited by a variety of creatures. The Environmental Committee looks after the pond and many plants and flowers in the courtyard. Perhaps it is this nature-filled school that allows the children to thrive.
Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School students share what makes their school and district special
Next, we’ll share what the children are proud of about their school and school district.
Three children ranked what they like about Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School and its district.
3rd place: A learning hub with around 570,000 books: Kurashiki Central Library
Chiaki Okamoto’s third-place pick is Kurashiki Central Library.
The Central Library is just a few minutes’ walk from Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School, and the children often use it.
According to 2021 data, the Central Library holds around 571,000 books. Okamoto told us, “It’s convenient because I can quickly look things up whenever I want to learn about something.”
It’s a library that serves the local community and is easy to drop into even when you have a little time to spare.
2nd place: Bustling with visitors during its spring grand festival, Achi Shrine
Next, Daiki Takayama shared his pick: Achi Shrine, which watches over the local community. He singled out the Spring Grand Festival, held in spring, as one of its biggest attractions.
At this festival, artwork and calligraphy from various schools are displayed, drawing many visitors. There is also a traditional ceremony in which the displayed works are burned as prayers are offered to the gods, making this a place that carefully preserves local culture.
Achi Shrine was deeply rooted in the children’s hearts as a kind and reassuring presence, like a deity protecting the lives of everyone in Kurashiki.
1st place: Popular with visitors from overseas, Bikan Historical Area, steeped in history and art
The top spot went to the Bikan Historical Area, as announced by Haruma Nishiumi.
One of Kurashiki City’s signature tourist destinations, it attracts visitors from all over the world, not just Japan, and is truly a place that could be called “the face of Kurashiki.” The Bikan Historical Area is packed with attractions, including the Ohara Museum of Art.
For the children of Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School, the Bikan Historical Area is a familiar place they sometimes pass through on their way to and from school. They told us that its beautiful scenery, right on their doorstep, is the greatest source of pride in their school district.
Local treasures such as the Bikan Historical Area, the Central Library, and Achi Shrine also serve as familiar places of learning for children. Let’s continue to watch over the children of Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School as they grow up surrounded by history and nature.
Children’s voices as they look to the future
After hearing all about what makes their school special, we also asked the children about their dreams for the future.
Twenty-one children took part in the interviews this time.
It’s exciting to imagine their futures as professional athletes, pastry chefs, teachers, auto mechanics, and more.
The children’s determination to pursue what they love gave us adults great courage and moved us deeply.
Thank you to everyone at Kurashiki-Nishi Elementary School.
From the Writer
Through “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” we’ll 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.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the children in the community and support their healthy, happy growth.
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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You can also listen to “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” on the FM Kurashiki website.