FM Kurashiki’s “Gather, Elementary School Students!” airs every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m.
Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on what makes each school and its district 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 February 21, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast introduced Kotoura Minami Elementary School in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
Here are the lively voices of the children.
This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. It was edited and published by the editorial team of Haretoco General Incorporated Association.
The information in this article is as of its publication in April 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
FM Kurashiki’s “Gather, Elementary School Students!”
On “Gather, Elementary School Students!”, the hosts interview sixth graders at each school they visit, taking a closer look at what makes their school special. Also featured is “What makes our school district special,” where children share what they like and appreciate about their community from their own perspective.
The program also features heartwarming interviews that may move adults, too, as children talk about their exciting dreams for the future and express gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.
This time, the program visited Kotoura Minami Elementary School in Kojima, Kurashiki City. The school has 207 students. Located along the coast, it is proud of its beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea.
The children were eager to talk about what makes Kotoura Minami Elementary School special.
About Kotoura Minami Elementary School
The first to speak was Miai Fujimori. She gave a thoughtful introduction to what makes Kotoura Minami Elementary School special.
The first thing she highlighted was the scenery, surrounded by the beautiful natural environment of the Seto Inland Sea.
On sunny days, students can see the sparkling sea and the impressive Seto-Ohashi Bridge from the school windows. It is a view they are proud of.
She also told us about the close friendships between students in different grades. The school’s intimate size, with 207 students in total, makes it possible for them to enjoy learning and playing together across grades, as well as taking part in mixed-grade group activities.
At Kotoura Minami Elementary School, all the students work together on three goals.
The first is cleaning.
During cleaning time, they aim to work quietly and stay focused from beginning to end.
The second is greetings.
With “Speak first, then bow” as their motto, they strive to greet others warmly and take the initiative.
The third is listening to others.
They make a point of listening to friends and teachers not only with their ears, but also with their eyes and hearts. She said that being mindful of how they listen helps them value others and broaden their own thinking.
Finally, Fujimori ended on an upbeat note: “We sixth graders are working hard to make Kotoura Minami Elementary School an inspiring school.”
By setting these three goals together and working steadily toward them, Kotoura Minami Elementary School will surely become an even more wonderful school.
Kotoura Minami Elementary School students share what makes their school and district special
Next, we introduce what the children are proud of about their school and district.
Three children shared what makes Kotoura Minami Elementary School and its district special.
1. Ko Hachimangu Shrine, where one of Okayama’s three major danjiri festivals is held
The first to speak was Miune Omori.
She talked about Ko Hachimangu Shrine, the shrine that represents the district.
She said that Ko Hachimangu Shrine has long been revered as a spiritual anchor for local residents.
The shrine hosts the Ko Hachimangu Grand Festival, one of Okayama’s three major danjiri festivals, and draws large crowds every year, from children to older people. The whole town comes alive with the powerful danjiri floats and mikoshi, as well as the sound of “shagiri,” festival music played from the danjiri.
As an important place where the region’s history and vitality can be felt, it is also an indispensable source of pride for the children of Kotoura Minami Elementary School.
2. Uniforms and jeans, unique to Kojima, the textile town
Next, Yuri Takahashi introduced uniforms and jeans, unique to Kojima, where the textile industry thrives.
Students at Kotoura Minami Elementary School also wear uniforms that embody the region’s skill and hard work. Takahashi told us that her favorite details are the girls’ sailor-style uniforms with white scarves and the boys’ gleaming gold buttons.
A unique initiative called “Kotoura Jeans Day” also began in the 2025 school year. On this special day, all students and teachers wear jeans. It has become a popular event that suits Kojima, the birthplace of domestically produced jeans.
Being able to experience the traditional craftsmanship of their own town every day must be something to be proud of, and is rare across Japan.
3. The sparkling, breathtakingly beautiful view of the Seto Inland Sea
The last to speak was Michi Yamamoto.
What she was proud of was the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea, which stretches out just beside the school.
From Kotoura Minami Elementary School, students can see the Seto Inland Sea sparkling in the sunlight and the magnificent Seto-Ohashi Bridge. They experience the beauty of their hometown every day. Yamamoto especially likes the sea shining on sunny days, and said, “It’s the best.”
The opportunity to enjoy nature close at hand is another major attraction, with local events such as crab fishing held in the area.
We could sense how the children enjoy school life freely, watched over by the tranquil scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
The children of Kotoura Minami Elementary School enjoy school life surrounded by beautiful nature in a town where history and industry thrive. Let’s all watch over Kotoura Minami Elementary School as it continues to grow into an even more wonderful school, led by its sixth graders.
Thank you to everyone at Kotoura Minami Elementary School.
Children’s voices as they look to the future
After hearing all about what makes the school special, we also asked the children about their dreams for the future.
Twenty children answered our questions this time.
From dancers and hairdressers to child welfare workers and archaeologists specializing in dinosaurs, it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.
The children’s determination to take on challenges inspired by what they love gave us adults great courage and moved us deeply.
Thank you to everyone at Kotoura Minami Elementary School.
From the Writer
Through “Gather, Elementary School Students!”, we will continue sharing the appeal of schools and communities through the voices of children.
With every visit to an elementary school, we have seen how children grow each day with the warm support of teachers and local residents.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the children of the region, so 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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You can also listen to “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” on the FM Kurashiki website.