Poco a poco is the hard-won realisation of a small, tight-knit team’s idea branched off from Sanyu Raito, led by wife and husband Shiho and Takashi. With over 70 years of manufacturing experience at our core, our mission is to pioneer a new era of products that not only enhance but also secure the well-being of future generations. Our journey began with a profound desire to craft environmentally conscious products, understanding the significance of preserving our planet for future generations. We naturally realised that those who will make the greatest changes in the future are the children of today. Poco a Poco emerged as a brand committed to producing educational toys that also champion for the environment.
Poco a poco’s name derives from a musical term meaning “little by little.” As our popularity grows in our home country of Japan, we hope to share our messages of kindness and education all around the world. Moving forward step by step, little by little, with determination, we will create a kinder future.
Through 3 kindnesses Poco a poco aims to lead the upcoming generations to become forward-thinkers who tackle challenges headstrong and enthusiastically. Having the confidence and thrill to take on the unsolved with passion and vigor. To see problems and enjoy coming up with ways to solve them. Developing outward, unique and experimental patterns of thought. Our 3 kindnesses follow:
1 out of 3 kindnesses “Environmentally friendly”
We live in a natural world that generously grows the main material for Poco a poco toys. Rice husks. Rice husks are the shells of the rice, which are usually thrown away during harvesting. Here at Poco a poco we utilize the rice husks to mitigate waste, close the loops in unsustainable manufacturing processes, and create long-lasting, gentle manufacturing methods that work with nature. As well as creating young fun-filled memories with Poco a poco toys, which serve as tangible reminders of nature’s generosity, we hope that the children who play with our toys will be inspired to respect and feel a sense of responsibility towards preserving our planet’s well-being.
2 out of 3 kindnesses “Gentle to the heart”
Sometimes the heart is forgotten about in our chase to grow up and become intellectual. However, nurturing the heart throughout childhood secures skills that are essential and beneficial to becoming well-rounded humans with exceptional abilities to solve the unsolvable. Using soothing colours, rounded edges, and rice husk’s natural tactile touch and smell, Poco a poco’s toys create a safe, calm and encouraging environment to experiment, learn and grow. Our toys are educational in areas such as counting, shapes, colours and problem solving. Our question cards can be used as practice questions that may appear in exam-like settings. However, our toys are also open play, which leads to the skills found during one’s own experiments and trial and error. We are really happy to have created a line of toys that practice a multitude of skills.
3 out of 3 kindnesses “Delivering excellence”
Producing products that stand the test of time by skills gained through 70 years of overcoming challenges others refused to tackle. Poco a poco is the dream of Shiho and Takeshi, parents of 3 young adventurers. Along with Shiho and Takeshi, our dedicated team of caring, fun-loving, and adept members put our heads together to create toys which encapsulate our ideologies. Our designs are then made into reality by our innovative in-house manufacturers, who have paved the way for injection moulding in Japan. We then thoroughly test our toys to Japanese and European safety standards. Going above and beyond to make sure our materials are durable and safe to be sanitised more than daily with 80% alcoholic sanitizer. Shiho and Takeshi’s 3 adventurers also put our toys to the fun test and teach us new ways to explore with our toys that we hadn’t noticed yet.
Global Aspirations: As Poco a poco moves out of Japan and into the world, we hope to spread our 3 kindnesses message. To improve the world’s environment and create a brighter future for all future generations. Teaching play and skill improvement go hand in hand. Creating a healthier future for children to flourish in. Above all, we hope that the children who play with our toys become active members of the community who take action with their own hands to create a better world for everyone.
What a unique and beautiful idea for toys. The colours are so calming and look fun to play with. I hope to be able to purchase them for my nieces and nephews.