Kykomi's brings a little slice of Japan to Wausau
Claw skill games and a Japanese "Gashapon" machines were inspired by a trip to Japan
Kosher Chang and See Vang really enjoyed their trip to Japan a year ago. But beyond that, they also came back with a business idea.
On July 14, that vision will become reality when Kykomi’s opens its doors officially.
The main attractions: Gashapon machines, vending machines which feature collectable characters from anime series and even Peanuts. And a claw machine game where those playing can win Japanese-style plushies as prizes.
The two started working on the project only a few months ago, and quickly brought the idea to life.
That included getting an entertainment license, something the city hasn’t issued in some time. In fact, everyone involved had to do some research because it had been so long since one had been issued one.
The idea is to have something fun to do in the Wausau area for younger generations who grew up with Japanese anime and manga series (cartoons and comic books, respectively) and who may have parents who found those things as teenagers.
Tariffs almost threw a wrench into the whole enterprise. The machines that are made in the U.S. are very expensive, but cost almost ten times less in China. So Kosher said he ordered the claw machines from China, but while they were in shipping, President Donald Trump started implementing his tariff policies, leaving Kosher to wonder whether the machines would drastically change in price or what might happen.
He got them though, in plenty of time to fill the red-light, flashing color room in the Third Street Lifestyle Center (which many may still remember as the Washington Square building.
I asked about maintenance, thinking back to the Aladdin’s Castle Arcade days when as a kid sometimes my favorite machine would be broken. Kosher says because he bought them in China, so any issues that pop will need to be handled with a few YouTube videos and some hard work.
The business’s name might sound Japanese, but in reality it’s a portmanteau of Chang and Vang’s children’s names: Kyler, Kody and Midori.
For those who haven’t been to Japan, vending machines are everywhere, serving everything from green tea to ice cream and even household items such as socks. Those who have been to Japan will recognize the white, rounded machines that are found all over the place in Tokyo and other Japanese cities.
All the items in them are directly from Japan and are limited in number, making them collectible.
As far as the crane game, the claw machine allows players to attempt to grab various plush figures, and those playing them can collect multiple plushies to trade them in for bigger or more valuable items, even the highly sought-after Labubus the kids are all crazy about right now (actually created by a Hong Kong artist).
Many of the items were chosen for their cuteness factor or collectibility, Kosher and See say.
Some might believe the crane game is designed to lose, but Kosher assures customers that’s not the case. They’re designed around skill, not like the crane games one might be thinking of that seem to purposely miss. They held a soft opening last month to test out the machines and make sure everything was running smoothly. He said everyone who participated walked away with something to take home.
Why did they choose the spot they did? Kosher says downtown has so much going on, and good foot traffic. And that is only likely to grow as more housing gets added to the downtown.
Kosher said he wanted to start something he could possibly pass on to his kids one day. He says they’re excited about the business, and their friends are too. That’s probably a good sign.
Kykomi’s opens July 14 in the Third Street Lifestyle Center, just at the start of the long hallway where the CVA gift shop once was. Kykomi’s has not yet posted hours online.
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