Katayama Elementary School is located an eight-minute walk from JR Suita station. Near the school flows Yodogawa, a river that empties into Osaka Bay. The school is one of the leading large elementary schools in the city with about 940 children, and stands on a hill where there are also old breweries and a city hospital. Small birds make trips to and from a bird box set on a tree by the school gate, and flowers and vegetables are grown with care on both sides of the path from the school gate to the door. Obviously, the schoolchildren are familiar with the nature around them every day.

The first session on June 25 took place at Kita Fureai Park, which is a five-minute walk from the school. The park, which is kept in good condition, seems to be very popular, and during the session there were many visitors. Children participating in the session threaded their way through th e visitors, lying on the green lawn or on fallen leaves to take photos from unusual viewpoints, taking photos of a dog taking a walk or pigeons gathering to be fed, or photographing scenes they usually overlook while playing. Each child tried to figure out some way or another to enjoy taking photos.

The second session on June 26 took place in the schoolyard. There are many ideal subjects: mushrooms appearing at the roots of a big tree, a wisteria with branches spreading in all directions, a beautiful lotus flower blooming in a pond with a damselfly flying around it. The children ran about around the schoolyard enjoying taking photos.

At the presentation meeting after coming back to school, they raised their hands one after another to give presentations. They were so active that it was hard to believe they were fourth graders.