A Note from the Kindergarten Manager

On a winter morning, the playground of Suwa Kindergarten transforms into a vast, white wonderland.
The second heavy snowfall of the year has arrived. In the midst of the silence, the children’s joyous voices echo through the air.

“The Snow Queen visited us last night!”
One child exclaims, eyes sparkling with excitement. As they speak, their breath turns into a soft white mist, dissolving into the air like magic.

“Look! Mount Fuji has appeared over there!”
Another child points at the frost patterns on the classroom window.
“It must be a secret map leading to a hidden sanctuary!”
They say it so matter-of-factly that even the adults find themselves nodding in agreement.

All across the playground, new worlds are coming to life in the hands of the children.
A snow kingdom, a dragon’s cave, an invisible but certainly real magical door—everything is shaped by their boundless imagination.

The teachers watch over them, their expressions soft and warm.
In the end, adults only need to step slightly into the world children create, and suddenly, they remember something they had long forgotten.

With every snowfall, Suwa Kindergarten transcends its usual playground and becomes an infinite canvas.
It is filled with the children’s creativity, cooperation, and the power to live fully in the present.
The stories they weave become footprints in the snow—marks that will never fade.
Snow is a mysterious thing. It disrupts transportation and makes adults sigh in frustration.
But for children, those tiny frozen water droplets have the power to repaint the entire world.
To me, snow is just something cold. But to them, it is the key to a kingdom, a clue to rescuing someone, a doorway to adventure.
Now, I wonder—will I be in charge of building a snowman today, or will I find myself managing the royal treasury of the Ice Palace?

冬の朝、諏訪幼稚園の園庭が真っ白な雪の世界へと変わる。
「雪の女王様が夜の間にやってきたんだよ！」
ひとりの子が目を輝かせながら叫ぶ。息を吐くと白く曇り、その言葉がまるで魔法のように空気に溶けていく。

「見て！あそこに富士山ができた！」
教室の窓ガラスにできた霜の模様を指さして、別の子が言う。
「きっと、秘密の隠れ家に続く地図だよ！」
さも当然のように言うので、大人のほうがむしろ納得してしまう。

園庭のあちこちでは、子どもたちの手によって新たな世界が生まれていた。
雪の王国、ドラゴンの住む洞窟、見えないけれど確かに存在する魔法の扉——すべては彼らの想像力次第だ。

そんな彼らを見守る先生たちの表情も、どこか柔らかい。
結局のところ、大人というものは、子どもがつくる世界にほんの少し入り込むだけで、忘れかけていた何かを思い出してしまうのだ。

雪が降るたび、諏訪幼稚園はいつもの園庭を超えて、無限に広がるキャンバスに変わる。
そこには、子どもたちの創造力、協力、そして“今”を生きる力が詰まっている。
彼らが描く物語は、決して消えない足跡として、雪の上に刻まれていくのだ。

雪というのは不思議なものだ。降ってしまえば交通機関は乱れ、大人はつい溜息をつく。
でも、子どもたちにとっては、ただの水分を含んだ氷の粒が、世界をまるごと塗り替える魔法になる。
大人の僕には、雪はただの冷たいものだけれど、彼らにとっては王国の鍵だったり、誰かを救うための手がかりだったりする。

A Note from the New Kindergarten Manager

There is a large cedar tree next to the main gate of Suwa Kindergarten.
Like a towering cedar tree that has watched over generations, Suwa Kindergarten celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Over these seven decades, countless children have run through its gates, played under its trees, and carried its memories into the world. The kindergarten’s history resembles a mighty tree—its roots deeply intertwined with the community, its branches spreading wide with new possibilities.

Cedar trees are revered across the world for their longevity and their quiet presence as guardians of the past, present, and future. Today, we reflect on Suwa Kindergarten’s journey through the lens of these timeless trees.

A Story Woven with Great Cedars

In the kindergarten’s garden stands an old, sturdy tree. Under its shade, children play tag, whisper secrets, and watch the seasons change. The sight reminds me of an old Japanese folktale about a talkative cedar tree that knew all the village secrets.

This tree, legend has it, would murmur to the wind:
“That child had a great day playing today.”
“The teacher snuck a snack when no one was looking.”

Much like this mythical cedar, the teachers of Suwa Kindergarten observe, nurture, and protect each child’s growth. Their wisdom, passed down through generations, has shaped the very foundation of this institution.

70 Years of Growth, Reaching for the Next Century

Seventy years ago, Suwa Kindergarten was just a young sapling, nurtured with the love of teachers, parents, and the community. Today, it stands strong, its roots deep, its canopy wide.

In Celtic mythology, great trees are seen as bridges between the past, present, and future. Likewise, Suwa Kindergarten remains committed to preserving its traditions while adapting to modern education, ensuring that its branches continue to spread for generations to come.

The North America Great Cedars and the Future of Our Children

In the forests of California stand the ancient redwoods—giants that have lived for thousands of years. One tale tells of a man who claimed to be “the world’s greatest tree climber”. With great enthusiasm, he climbed one of these towering redwoods, only to realize at the top:

“Wait… how do I get down?”

The villagers, amused, held a quick lesson on problem-solving.

“Alright, class, let’s discuss ways to get him down!”
“Forget the discussion—just help me already!”

Eventually, they lowered him with a rope, but from that day on, he was known not as “the world’s greatest tree climber” but “the man who forgot to climb down.”

This amusing tale carries an important lesson—planning for the future is as important as reaching new heights. At Suwa Kindergarten, we strive to instill this mindset in our children, helping them grow into individuals who can navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and curiosity.

One day, the children of Suwa Kindergarten will become parents themselves, returning with their own little ones to the same playground under the same great tree. With this vision, we will continue to provide a nurturing and inspiring environment—just like the mighty cedar that has watched over us all.

We look forward to many more years of growing together. Thank you for your continued support of Suwa Kindergarten.