A Future Where 'KIKKA' is Synonymous with Building Blocks: #April Dream
Wintech Co., Ltd. announces its goal to bring Japanese-made educational blocks 'KIKKA,' crafted with the spirit of craftsmanship and a unique structure, to children worldwide to nurture their cognitive skills.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
Wintech Co., Ltd. supports the April Dream initiative, which designates April 1st as a day to share dreams. This press release outlines the dream of Wintech Co., Ltd.
## Sharing Japan's Proud Culture and Charm with the World
Our dream is a future where 'KIKKA' is the first name people think of when it comes to building blocks. Currently, European-made blocks are widely known and have wonderful charm. However, Japan possesses a culture of delicate craftsmanship and play that builds cooperativeness, which we are immensely proud of. This is rooted in the Japanese spirit of manufacturing, from material selection to processing and finishing. We believe that Japanese building blocks also have a culture and charm that can stand proud on the world stage. Furthermore, children today are required not just to follow prepared answers but to think, experiment, challenge, and create on their own. We want to provide many children with the 'trigger' (Kikka) to naturally acquire these skills through play. That is why we created 'KIKKA,' an educational building block from Japan. KIKKA, born from these sentiments, is currently expanding through various initiatives.
## It Began with 'Blocks that Cannot be Stacked'
KIKKA was born from the desire for children to 'become people who can think and act for themselves.' Today's world is full of toys that can be played with without thinking. On the other hand, play that involves deep thinking and repeated trial and error seems to be decreasing. We believe that the cycle of 'try, think, and try again' is what nurtures a child's thinking power. Thus, we decided to create a toy that makes thinking more free and enjoyable. After many prototypes, we arrived at two shapes—X and K—modeled after flowers and butterflies. There are no rules for how to play. From simple play to difficult challenges, the possibilities depend on the child's imagination and growth. It may not work well at first, but the moment of 'I did it!' that follows nurtures thinking power, curiosity, and self-esteem. 'Blocks that are not easy to stack and don't go as expected' is the origin of KIKKA. Our wish is for children to develop the power to carve out their own futures through the experience of playing while thinking.
## KIKKA's Initiatives
KIKKA went on sale in June 2024. For the material, we use 'Yoshino Hinoki' (cypress) from Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture, one of Japan's leading forestry regions. Since children hold these in their hands, we focused on safe materials and quality that lasts a long time. Since its launch, we have actively participated in experience events in Yoshino Town—the origin of the materials—and parenting events across various locations, valuing opportunities to hear directly from children and parents. Through these efforts, KIKKA was awarded the '18th Kids Design Award' (2024) and the 'Wood Design Award 2025,' receiving high praise for its value and initiatives.
In November 2025, we began selling 'KIKKA Basic 40,' a large-capacity set of 40 pieces for childcare and educational institutions. KIKKA is an educational block that helps develop 'non-cognitive skills' such as thinking power, creativity, and the courage to challenge. These are considered vital elements for children living in the coming era and are gaining attention in educational settings. In December of the same year, following the Wood Design Award, our collaboration with Yoshino Town deepened, and we had the opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to the town mayor. Subsequently, as an initiative utilizing local resources, KIKKA was adopted as a gift for the Yoshino Town Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) program. Currently, in addition to the official shop, the number of handling stores, including department stores and local toy specialty shops, is expanding nationwide. More opportunities for people to actually pick up KIKKA and experience the play have increased, allowing them to feel the concept and charm of KIKKA.
### Notable Activities:
- 'Play with KIKKA!' at Hinohara Forest Toy Museum: Experience event held at the Hinohara Forest Toy Museum in Nishitama District, Tokyo (April 5-6, 2025).
- Presentation at the 8th Joint Press Conference: CEO Matsumoto presented 'KIKKA Basic 40' (September 26, 2025).
- Courtesy visit to Yoshino Town Hall: Following the Wood Design Award 2025, the team visited Yoshino Town, the material's origin, to meet the mayor (December 18, 2025).
- First exhibition at the Tokyo Gift Show: KIKKA debuted at the '101st Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2026,' one of Japan's largest gift festivals (February 3-6, 2026).
## Toward the Realization of Our Dream
KIKKA will continue to expand its sales channels and awareness within Japan to deliver its value to more children. Furthermore, as an educational block from Japan, we are looking toward overseas expansion and will broaden our collaboration with domestic and international companies and organizations. Regardless of country or culture, the 'power to think, try, and challenge' is essential for children living in the future. We believe that the successful experience of 'I did it!' through play will become the joy and confidence of each child and the driving force for taking a step toward the future. KIKKA will continue its journey to become the 'trigger' (Kikka) for a happy future for many children.
## Company Profile
Company Name: Wintech Co., Ltd.
CEO: Kentaro Matsumoto
Headquarters: Keifuku Ibaraki Bldg, 7-22 Miyamoto-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka
Email (PR): press@wintech.jp
Email (General): info@wintech.jp
## Sharing Japan's Proud Culture and Charm with the World
Our dream is a future where 'KIKKA' is the first name people think of when it comes to building blocks. Currently, European-made blocks are widely known and have wonderful charm. However, Japan possesses a culture of delicate craftsmanship and play that builds cooperativeness, which we are immensely proud of. This is rooted in the Japanese spirit of manufacturing, from material selection to processing and finishing. We believe that Japanese building blocks also have a culture and charm that can stand proud on the world stage. Furthermore, children today are required not just to follow prepared answers but to think, experiment, challenge, and create on their own. We want to provide many children with the 'trigger' (Kikka) to naturally acquire these skills through play. That is why we created 'KIKKA,' an educational building block from Japan. KIKKA, born from these sentiments, is currently expanding through various initiatives.
## It Began with 'Blocks that Cannot be Stacked'
KIKKA was born from the desire for children to 'become people who can think and act for themselves.' Today's world is full of toys that can be played with without thinking. On the other hand, play that involves deep thinking and repeated trial and error seems to be decreasing. We believe that the cycle of 'try, think, and try again' is what nurtures a child's thinking power. Thus, we decided to create a toy that makes thinking more free and enjoyable. After many prototypes, we arrived at two shapes—X and K—modeled after flowers and butterflies. There are no rules for how to play. From simple play to difficult challenges, the possibilities depend on the child's imagination and growth. It may not work well at first, but the moment of 'I did it!' that follows nurtures thinking power, curiosity, and self-esteem. 'Blocks that are not easy to stack and don't go as expected' is the origin of KIKKA. Our wish is for children to develop the power to carve out their own futures through the experience of playing while thinking.
## KIKKA's Initiatives
KIKKA went on sale in June 2024. For the material, we use 'Yoshino Hinoki' (cypress) from Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture, one of Japan's leading forestry regions. Since children hold these in their hands, we focused on safe materials and quality that lasts a long time. Since its launch, we have actively participated in experience events in Yoshino Town—the origin of the materials—and parenting events across various locations, valuing opportunities to hear directly from children and parents. Through these efforts, KIKKA was awarded the '18th Kids Design Award' (2024) and the 'Wood Design Award 2025,' receiving high praise for its value and initiatives.
In November 2025, we began selling 'KIKKA Basic 40,' a large-capacity set of 40 pieces for childcare and educational institutions. KIKKA is an educational block that helps develop 'non-cognitive skills' such as thinking power, creativity, and the courage to challenge. These are considered vital elements for children living in the coming era and are gaining attention in educational settings. In December of the same year, following the Wood Design Award, our collaboration with Yoshino Town deepened, and we had the opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to the town mayor. Subsequently, as an initiative utilizing local resources, KIKKA was adopted as a gift for the Yoshino Town Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) program. Currently, in addition to the official shop, the number of handling stores, including department stores and local toy specialty shops, is expanding nationwide. More opportunities for people to actually pick up KIKKA and experience the play have increased, allowing them to feel the concept and charm of KIKKA.
### Notable Activities:
- 'Play with KIKKA!' at Hinohara Forest Toy Museum: Experience event held at the Hinohara Forest Toy Museum in Nishitama District, Tokyo (April 5-6, 2025).
- Presentation at the 8th Joint Press Conference: CEO Matsumoto presented 'KIKKA Basic 40' (September 26, 2025).
- Courtesy visit to Yoshino Town Hall: Following the Wood Design Award 2025, the team visited Yoshino Town, the material's origin, to meet the mayor (December 18, 2025).
- First exhibition at the Tokyo Gift Show: KIKKA debuted at the '101st Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2026,' one of Japan's largest gift festivals (February 3-6, 2026).
## Toward the Realization of Our Dream
KIKKA will continue to expand its sales channels and awareness within Japan to deliver its value to more children. Furthermore, as an educational block from Japan, we are looking toward overseas expansion and will broaden our collaboration with domestic and international companies and organizations. Regardless of country or culture, the 'power to think, try, and challenge' is essential for children living in the future. We believe that the successful experience of 'I did it!' through play will become the joy and confidence of each child and the driving force for taking a step toward the future. KIKKA will continue its journey to become the 'trigger' (Kikka) for a happy future for many children.
## Company Profile
Company Name: Wintech Co., Ltd.
CEO: Kentaro Matsumoto
Headquarters: Keifuku Ibaraki Bldg, 7-22 Miyamoto-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka
Email (PR): press@wintech.jp
Email (General): info@wintech.jp
FAQ
What makes KIKKA blocks different from others?
Unlike standard square blocks, they use unique X and K shapes. They are designed to be 'not easy to stack,' which encourages children to think critically through trial and error.
What materials are used for the blocks?
They are made from 'Yoshino Hinoki' (cypress) from Yoshino Town, Nara, a famous forestry region in Japan. It features a delicate texture, pleasant aroma, safety, and durability.
What kind of recognition has KIKKA received?
It has won the 18th Kids Design Award and the Wood Design Award 2025. It is also available in large sets for educational institutions and as a gift for 'Furusato Nozei' (tax return program).