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$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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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."

Himeji Castle website (includes English version)

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23549 (23-549 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Magome post town in spring

Magome is the forty-third station on the old Nakasendo route (counting from Tokyo), and together with the forty-second (Tsumago) has been restored as a historical monument. It is easy to imagine how daunting this slope would have looked to travellers of centuries past, being the start of many uphill days.

The richly-varied textures will make this an enjoyable, and never tedious puzzle.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23564 (23-564 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Aizuwakamatsu Castle

Although this castle boasts a history stretching back more than 600 years, it was damaged in the Battle of Aizu — hostilities during the switch from the rule of the Shoguns to the Meiji restoration — and the main tower was destroyed by 1874. It was rebuilt (in reinforced concrete) in 1965, and finally in 2011 the black roof tiles were returned to the authentic red tiles from the time of its destruction. The castle grounds contain around a thousand cherry trees, one of which frames the view here.

The castle is in the modern city of Aizu-wakamatsu, after which it is usually named in English, but it is also known as Tsurugajô, or "Crane Castle".

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23575 (23-575 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Matsushima cherry blossom

One of the traditional "Three sights of Japan", the picturesque Matsushima bay contains innumerable small islands. A pale moon hangs over just a few of them, seen through the massed pink blossom...

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23576 (23-576 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Itsukushima in spring

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."

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E23563 (23-563 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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2000 pieces

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$35.14 €26.80 £22.22)
Shipping from ¥1100 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$14.86 €11.34 £9.40)
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1500 pieces

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$35.14 €26.80 £22.22)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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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$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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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$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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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$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Kiyomizudera at cherry blossom time

This very famous Kyoto temple is trestled out from the side of the hill overlooking Kyoto. The original temple is said to have been founded more than 1200 years ago, but most of the present structure dates from the 1600s.

What does the name mean?

pure

water

temple

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E10722 (10-722 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Fuji in spring

Cherry blossoms line this brook, with Mount Fuji towering in the background, still in its winter coat.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 72 x 49 cm (28" x 19")
Code: B71375 (71-375 on box)
Retail price ¥2600 (approx. US$35.14 €26.80 £22.22)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Kintai bridge

An image of surreal colours — the pink cherry blossom blending with the pink-purple of dusk as the floodlights being to light the pillars. 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.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: E10721 (10-721 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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Cherry blossom tunnel

Steam trains still run on the Oigawa line, a private railway running from the Pacific coast mainline up into the foothills of the Southern Alps. This one is called Sakura ('Cherry'), appropriately enough, since the line is famous for the cherry trees planted on either side to form a "tunnel".

In stock
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 75 x 50 cm (30" x 20")
Code: Y101129 (10-1129 on box)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$33.78 €25.77 £21.37)
Shipping from ¥1200 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
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759 pieces

Sanneizaka

In a quaint corner of Kyoto, these steps are part of the passage called Sanneizaka. There are various theories for the origin of the name, but the most prominent one (based on the characters used to write the name today) is that it refers to a prayer for safe childbirth.

The cherry blossoms and traditional roof tiles provide an exquisite combination of textures for this puzzle.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 759 pieces; 38 x 53 cm (15" x 21")
Code: E57504 (57-504 on box)
Retail price ¥1600 (approx. US$21.62 €16.49 £13.68)
Shipping from ¥800 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$10.81 €8.25 £6.84)
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Ninna-ji temple

This temple is famed for its collection of 200 or so cherry trees, here seen in full bloom. Originally founded in 888, most of the buildings in the Ninna-ji precinct date from the seventeenth century.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 759 pieces; 53 x 38 cm (21" x 15")
Code: E57503 (57-503 on box)
Retail price ¥1600 (approx. US$21.62 €16.49 £13.68)
Shipping from ¥700 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$9.46 €7.22 £5.98)
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300 pieces

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.

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.)

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$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
Shipping from ¥500 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$6.76 €5.15 £4.27)
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Kiyomizudera cherry blossom

What does the name mean?

pure

water

temple

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 300 pieces; 38 x 26 cm (15" x 10")
Code: B73178 (73-178 on box)
Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
Shipping from ¥500 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$6.76 €5.15 £4.27)
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Kuonji - weeping cherry

Kuonji is a historically important temple, dating back to 1281, in central Japan—just a valley to the west of Mount Fuji. The weeping cherry must be of a considerable age too, standing almost as high at the main building.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 300 pieces; 38 x 26 cm (15" x 10")
Code: B73154 (73-154 on box)
Retail price ¥1200 (approx. US$16.22 €12.37 £10.26)
Shipping from ¥500 (N. America, Europe, Australasia: approx. US$6.76 €5.15 £4.27)
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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.