Friday, May 23, 2025
On Tuesday, May 21st, from around 10:30 a.m., six fifth graders from Hokuryu Town's Shinryu Elementary School (Principal Kamata Sadao) had the opportunity to experience rice planting in the rice fields of Takada Co., Ltd. in Mitani, Hokuryu Town.
- 1 Rice planting experience
- 2 Shinryu Elementary School website (photograph and article by Principal Sadao Kamata)
- 3 YouTube videos
- 4 Other photos
- 5 Related articles
Rice planting experience
Guidance from Hokuryu Town Agricultural Guidance Association Chairman Akimitsu Takada
This is an experiential learning activity held during the 5th grade comprehensive learning class on "rice farming."
Following on from last year, we received guidance from Mr. Akimitsu Takada, chairman of the Hokuryu Town Agricultural Guidance Association.
On the day, Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro, local revitalization cooperation team members Takatsuki Masayuki and Sakai Yuto also joined the children in the barefoot rice planting experience!
Elementary school student greetings
"Thank you for taking the time to let us experience rice planting today despite your busy schedules. We are looking forward to learning many things today. We look forward to working with you," said a representative of the students.
All the students said, "Thank you very much!"
Greetings from Akimitsu Takada
"This is the second year that fifth graders have had the opportunity to plant rice.
We'll have you go barefoot into the rice field. The weather is nice today, so it shouldn't be too cold. The mud might be a little cold. We'll explain how to plant once you're inside.
Today we will be planting rice, but in the middle of the day we will have the students check out how the rice is growing and learn from it.
Last year, we made a scarecrow in August and had it put up here.
In the fall, we plan to harvest the rice, hang it on racks in the gymnasium, and once it has dried, thresh it.At the end, we plan to have a meal together with everyone (the entire student body), not just the fifth graders.
Now, please take off your shoes and get ready," Takada said.
Rice planting begins
First, gently remove a few seedlings from their seedling pots and you're ready to go!
Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki also participated
Mayor Sasaki moves smoothly as he plants rice!
Takatsuki Masayuki, take the lead
Takatsuki, who has never experienced rice planting before, took the initiative to lead the students!
Sakai Yuto, boldly
Photographer Sakai bravely ventures into the muddy rice fields with his precious camera in hand...
The voices of students flying about
"Seedlings are so small and cute," said a student.
With a seedling in one hand, I headed barefoot to the rice field...
"It's cold!"
"Where's the frog?"
"It's dangerous!" "Be careful not to fall!!!"
"I can't get my feet out! I'm stuck!"
"Let's do our best!!!"
"Please imitate the mayor."
"Mayor, you're good!"
"Once you get used to it, it becomes a little fun!"
At first, the students got their feet stuck in the muddy soil and screamed, but they gradually got used to it and planted the seedlings efficiently and with great enjoyment.
It's cold!
Once the rice planting is successfully completed, each person takes turns washing their hands and feet with a hose to remove the mud.
Some students screamed out in horror at how cold the tap water was, "It's so cold!"
Commemorative photo
After the event, everyone took a commemorative photo next to the sign they created!
Greetings from the student representative
"Thank you for teaching me how to plant rice today. I had a lot of fun planting rice."
All the students said "Thank you very much."
Takada greeted the class by saying, "Next time, please come study here again. We'll be waiting for you!"
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we wish the students of Shinryu Elementary School a precious rice planting experience, where they listen to the stories of farmers who put their heart and soul into growing rice and learn about the importance and difficulty of growing rice, which is imbued with life energy.
Shinryu Elementary School website (photograph and article by Principal Sadao Kamata)
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
FY2024
◇ Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi Writer: Ikuko Terauchi
