The Takamori-Higashi Elementary School is about a 10-minute car ride from Izumi-Chuo Station, which is 20 minutes by subway from Sendai Station. The school was founded in 1991 and is in a hilly area covered in fresh greenery. The local residents come not only from Sendai and the immediate vicinity but also from throughout the country. They are enthusiastic about the development of their community and have great expectations for the school.

The location to be photographed was the Takamori-Higashi Park adjoining the school. The school requested that the park be used so that it could be introduced to the adjacent school for an exchange activity. The park, which is situated in a hilly area surrounded by rich greenery, includes garden paths, an open lawn and a summerhouse. At the entrance of the park, where participants arrived after having attended a lecture, was a wall of flowing water, which must appear cool and refreshing on a summer day. From this starting point, children went out to the park in a drizzle. Children are creative in finding various subjects. Thinking nothing of the rainy weather, they walked about the park and enjoyed taking photos.

Coming back to the school, each child completed his or her work, choosing a favorite photo and putting it in a frame. At the presentation meeting, they wrote down descriptions of their works, feelings and experiences on the “Presentation Sheet.” Because all were third graders, there was some concern as to how they would handle their presentations. However, many children were proactive and raised their hands to talk about their excitement and discoveries, just as a teacher had told us they would. It was really a successful presentation meeting.