Jigsaw puzzles from Japan

Cherry blossom

"Is it a cloud or is it mist? The fragrance tells all." Or so the old song says. Late March is when newspapers in Japan publish a map of the "sakura front", the line indicating the spread of full-bloom across the country. Here's a selection of views of one of Japan's best-loved symbols.

On this page: 2000 pieces - 1000 pieces - 954 pieces panorama - 300 pieces

2016 pieces

Cherry avenue

This avenue runs along the bank of the Gongendô river, in the middle of the Kanto Plain, and is a famous location for cherry-blossom viewing.

This will not be an easy puzzle - more than half of the area of the picture is occupied by the mass of pink blooms.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23504 (23-504 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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2000 pieces

Himeji Castle

Famous as the best-preserved example of Japanese castle building, the historical origins of Himeji castle are said to date back to the building of a fort in 1333. From a supposed resemblance to the outstretched wings of a bird, it is also known as "White Heron Castle."

(This is a reissue of puzzle code E20050.)

Himeji Castle website (includes English version)
More castle puzzles

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 102 x 73 cm (40" x 29")
Code: E19016 (19-016 on box)
Retail price ¥4200 (approx. US$39.62 €26.42 £20.69)
Shipping from ¥1950 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$18.40 €12.26 £9.61)
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Cherry blossom time, Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Castle, in northern Japan, framed by its famous cherry trees, the first of which are said to have been brought from Kyoto in 1715. There's also a glimpse of the castle foundation wall, in the usual "diagonal" building style.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 2000 pieces; 72 x 49 cm (28" x 19")
Code: BS72504 (S72-504 on box)
Retail price ¥2600 (approx. US$24.53 €16.35 £12.81)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.38 €6.92 £5.42)
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1500 pieces

Rape flowers and cherry blossom (Ehime)

With their mellifluous Japanese name, na-no-hana, these yellow flowers have earned a place in popular songs as an emblem of the countryside in spring. They set off the pink cherry blossoms perfectly in this view near Imabari, a city facing the inland sea.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E15517 (15-517 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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Springtime under steam

A steam locomotive captured among the cherry blossoms, on the Mōka line in Tochigi. Passing through a traditional cotton-growing area, this line has never been electrified, and on weekends and holidays the usual diesel railcars are replaced by this steam train.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E15531 (15-531 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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Thatched cottage (Hiroshima) (Morita)

An idyllic scene in late spring: this thatched cottage, with its accompanying kura (storehouse) is reflected in a newly flooded paddy field, the scene completed by a cherry in full flower and a splendid set of koinobori (carp streamers for boys' day).

The house is preserved in Bihoku Park, in Shobara (Hiroshima Prefecture).

Born 1946 in Osaka, Morita set out as a freelance scenic photographer in 1975. He has had numerous collections of his work published in book form, as well as calendars and other media, and continues a punishing schedule, spending 200 days a year tramping the Japanese archipelago for material. (Morita is his family name.)

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Apollo puzzle: 1500 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: P15111 (15-111 on box)
Retail price ¥2600 (approx. US$24.53 €16.35 £12.81)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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1000 pieces

Fuji cherry blossom

The ultimate symbols of Japan - Mt Fuji and the cherry blossom. This view is from the south (Shizuoka side).

In stock
A Road puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: RS13273 (RS-13-273 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.38 €6.92 £5.42)
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Weeping cherry - Niigata

Weeping cherry in full bloom, pink petals dotting the surface of the stream that wends its way under the ornamental bridge. The setting is a park in Yuzawa, high in the mountains north of Tokyo - this town is famous as the location of Kawabata's novel The Snow Country. "The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country..." (Seidensticker's translation)

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E10631 (10-631S on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1000 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$9.43 €6.29 £4.93)
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Cherry avenue

This avenue runs along the bank of the Gongendô river, in the middle of the Kanto Plain, and is a famous location for cherry-blossom viewing.

This puzzle is not for beginners: the mass of pink blooms occupies about 75% of the area of the picture.

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: Y101016 (10-1016 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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Cherry blossom time - Itsukushima

The great torii, or Shinto ceremonial gateway of Itsukushima shrine seen from an unusual perspective, looking out from Miyajima to the mainland. Completed in 1875, this torii is somewhat unusually sited in the tidal part of the bay, and is famous as one of the traditional "Three sights of Japan."

See also: Itsukushima - the classic view (1000 pieces) and Ama-no-hashidate (1000 pieces), one of the other "Three sights"

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E10649 (10-649S on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1000 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$9.43 €6.29 £4.93)
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Kyoto cherry blossom

A beautiful photograph of a beautiful hanging cherry, in the Gion-Shirakawa area of Kyoto. This puzzle will not be particularly easy (there is a lot of pink!) but the teahouses in the background provide a wonderful variety of textures. Hanging in front of the windows are sudare, the traditional reed blinds that in summer help to keep the interior from the searing Kyoto heat.

In stock
A Road puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: RS13248 (RS-13-248 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.38 €6.92 £5.42)
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Weeping cherry (Takeuchi)

In the grounds of Kôrinji, a Buddhist temple in Nagano Prefecture, this pendulous cherry stands against a perfect backdrop of mature bamboos. Though obviously of considerable age, the tree does not fail in its annual display.

This is a beautiful photograph - the colours, while subdued, are rich, and the detail is breathtaking. Takeuchi comments that (rather than knowing about lenses and things) the key to taking photographs like this is knowing in advance where the best trees are.

The photographer, Takeuchi Toshinobu, born in 1943, is well-known as a nature photographer, and teacher. (Takeuchi is his family name.)

Technical details: Zenza Bronica GS-1 Zenzanon PG 250 mm, 1/4sec f/22, Fujichrome Velvia; polarising filter and tripod

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: Y10975 (10-975 on box)
Retail price ¥2800 (approx. US$26.42 €17.61 £13.79)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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954 pieces

Cherry pink

Hirosaki Castle, in northern Japan, is famous for its cherry trees, the first of which are said to have been brought from Kyoto in 1715. These trees overhang the moat like pink clouds over a pink sea - making what is surely the puzzle for lovers of cherry blossom.

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 954 pieces; 102 x 34 cm (40" x 13")
Code: Y0923 (09-23 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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Philosopher's walk in spring

This famous path in Kyoto is named after the philosopher Kitaro Nishida who would meditate while strolling along it. The cherry trees lining the waterway provide a display surely enough to raise the springtime spirites of any philosopher...

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 954 pieces; 102 x 34 cm (40" x 13")
Code: Y0928 (09-28 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$23.58 €15.72 £12.32)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
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300 pieces

Matsumoto Castle with cherry blossom

Matsumoto, high in the Japan Alps, has one of the best-preserved castles in Japan. Here we see it perfectly framed by cherry blossom.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 300 pieces; 38 x 26 cm (15" x 10")
Code: B73159 (73-159 on box)
Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
Shipping from ¥500 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$4.72 €3.14 £2.46)
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Kintaikyo - cherry blossom

This bridge is a landmark of western Japan, with both red maples and cherry trees planted alongside, for gorgeous pictures in all seasons. We are told that the name Kintaikyô - or "Brocade sash bridge" - is derived from a resemblance to a kimono sash. This is pretty unconvincing, until you realise that the river under the bridge is Nishikigawa: this Nishiki is the Japanese reading for "brocade", written with the same Chinese character as the Kin in Kintai.

The bridge consists of five wooden arches: at the time it was originally built (1673), wheeled transport was almost unknown in Japan, so presumably it was not worthwhile going to the extra effort of providing a level roadway. It seems unlikely that this design would have been used in Europe at that time.

Matsumoto-san's excellent photographs of the bridge (in Japanese)
Hokusai's painting (Interesting to see his perception of the stone pillars: compare my essay on walls. And for more than you ever needed to know about bridges, read J. E. Gordon.)

Also 1000 pieces: Kintaikyô in summer

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 300 pieces; 38 x 26 cm (15" x 10")
Code: B73153 (73-153 on box)
Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$11.32 €7.55 £5.91)
Shipping from ¥500 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$4.72 €3.14 £2.46)
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Art puzzles

A wide variety of the artists in our collection have puzzles featuring cherry blossom: Thumbnails of all cherry blossom art puzzles

Deleted puzzles

For reference: you can view all the photo puzzles of cherry blossom that are out of print in the Attic.