On June 8, 19 children from the Hiroshima University-attached kindergarten planted rice in the Ecological Experimental Garden on Higashi-Hiroshima Campus.

This rice planting experience is held every year as part of the kindergarten's educational activities for older students. This time, they planted ancient rice (black rice) and Japanese rice (Akiroman), with the children in charge of the black rice.

First, Mr. Tsuneo Shioji, a technical specialist, talked about the living creatures in the rice paddies. The children smiled and cheered when they found water striders, tadpoles, and other animals in the Ecological Experimental Garden rice paddies, where pesticides are not used in pursuit of harmonious coexistence among living creatures.

After that, students from the School of Science explained how to plant the seedlings. The children soon joined the teacher and students in the paddies to experience rice planting for the first time. The children, who at first struggled to plant the seedlings, gradually became accustomed to the process, and after a few times, they became more adept at it. While planting, the children talked to each other and asked, "Is everything going well?” The children were earnestly engaged in the work, smiling, and saying, "The water in the rice paddies is warm, isn't it?” In between planting, the children played energetically in the creek.

In about an hour, they finished planting in the 75-square-meter rice field.

The weather forecast warned of rainfall, but the children's energy kept the downpour at bay, and they were able to finish rice planting without any hitch. The children will be able to experience the harvesting of rice in the fall.