The Attic

© Mizuno Katsuhiko

Kôdai-ji (Mizuno)

Neatly trimmed azalea bushes provide a colour contrast with the building housing the living quarters for this temple.

What does the name mean?

high

stand

temple

Born in Kyoto in 1941, Mizuno earned a degree in literature from Doshisha University in 1964. Since 1969 he has worked as a freelance photographer, in a lifelong quest to capture the essence of Japanese tradition in his native city, and resulting in publication of some one hundred books of his photographs.

Permanently unavailable
An Appleone puzzle: 500 pieces; 380 x 530 mm (15" x 21")
Code: A05172 (500-172 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Mizuno Katsuhiko

Pathway, Hônen-in (Mizuno)

Though subdued in mood, this is a vibrant photograph. It appears to be early summer, and the rain-soaked flagstones emphasise the lush foliage. The wide range of textures will prevent this from being tedious as a puzzle, and it would make a wonderful picture for the wall.

What does the name mean?

law

thus

temple

Sorry: the gloss is rather mysterious, but after all, it is a personal name.

Born in Kyoto in 1941, Mizuno Katsuhiko earned a degree in literature from Doshisha University in 1964. Since 1969 he has worked as a freelance photographer, in a lifelong quest to capture the essence of Japanese tradition in his native city, and resulting in publication of some one hundred books of his photographs.

Permanently unavailable
An Appleone puzzle: 500 pieces; 380 x 530 mm (15" x 21")
Code: A05175 (500-175 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Mizuno Katsuhiko

Iris pond, Ryôan-ji (Mizuno)

This temple, founded in 1450, is best known for the raked pebble garden, but also has very beautiful more conventional gardens. This spring profusion of irises and lotus blossoms is said to have been the model for Monet's impressionist pond paintings.

What does the name mean?

dragon

repose

temple

Born in Kyoto in 1941, Mizuno Katsuhiko earned a degree in literature from Doshisha University in 1964. Since 1969 he has worked as a freelance photographer, in a lifelong quest to capture the essence of Japanese tradition in his native city, and resulting in publication of some one hundred books of his photographs.

Permanently unavailable
An Appleone puzzle: 500 pieces; 380 x 530 mm (15" x 21")
Code: A05186 (500-186 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Beverly Enterprises

Murôji pagoda

Murôji is a mountain temple on the outskirts of Nara. As is the case with many temple buildings, this pagoda is built in the middle of woods, leaving no ideal viewpoint for photographing it. Here we peer up the stone steps flanked by colourful, if slightly moth-eaten rhododendrons.

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A Beverly puzzle: 500 pieces; 360 x 490 mm (14" x 19")
Code: B050118 (050-118 on package)
Retail price ¥1280

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© Beverly Enterprises

Azumino

An idyllic rural scene high in the Northern Alps. But this particular view is very well known, because the water mill was featured in Yume (Dream), the film by Kurosawa Akira.

Permanently unavailable
A Beverly puzzle: 500 pieces; 490 x 360 mm (19" x 14")
Code: B050119 (050-119 on package)
Retail price ¥1280

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© Beverly Enterprises

Mt. Fuji from Oshino

Mt. Fuji from the east, this time from a beautifully kept Japanese garden in Oshino.

As Mount Olympus was the home of the Greek gods, so Mt. Fuji (3776 metres above sea level) has its place as the symbol of Japan. Although most popular tourist pictures show the view from the south, with the bullet train passing below Mount Fuji, the best views are from the north and east sides.

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A Beverly puzzle: 500 pieces; 490 x 360 mm (19" x 14")
Code: B050142 (050-142 on package)
Retail price ¥1280

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© Beverly Enterprises

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.

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Not available
A Beverly puzzle: 500 pieces; 490 x 360 mm (19" x 14")
Code: B75257 (75-257 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Fumio Yumoto

Kenrokuen - azaleas

This very famous garden dates back to the 17th century; beyond the bridge we see the distinctive arch-based stone lantern that is its symbol. The neatly trimmed azaleas are a characteristic of this garden style.

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An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E05056 (05-056S on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Nakamura Tsuneo

Crystal Island (Nakamura)

This lagoon in the Truk islands is captured by the marine photographer Nakamura Tsuneo. (The simple composition and foreground in particular make for a real "puzzler's puzzle.")

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An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E05058 (05-058S on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Epoch

Tsutanuma, autumn tints

A gorgeous autumn scene of dawn lighting up the forest. Although only 500 pieces, this will make a nice challenge, since almost all the pieces are various shades of red.

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Discontinued July 2017
An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E05089 (05-089 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Epoch

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.

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Discontinued December 2020
An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 380 x 530 mm (15" x 21")
Code: E05098 (05-098 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Epoch

Mt. Fuji - winter snow scene

A beautiful snow scene - from another part of Oshino, to the east.

As Mount Olympus was the home of the Greek gods, so Mt. Fuji (3776 metres above sea level) has its place as the symbol of Japan. Although most popular tourist pictures show the view from the south, with the bullet train passing below Mount Fuji, the best views are from the north and east sides.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 500 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E51598 (51-598 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Sekai Bunka Photo

Bamboo pathway

A puzzler's puzzle! A stepped footpath climbs through the bamboo grove in Rakusai, Kyoto. There is a lot of green in this puzzle, in a gradation from the dark shadows among the bamboo trunks to the sunlit sky seen through the topmost fronds.

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A Road puzzle: 500 pieces; 520 x 380 mm (20" x 15")
Code: RS5580 (RS-55-80 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Road

Kyoto moss garden

Though officially known as Saihôji, this temple is better known as Kokedera, the "Moss Temple", because of its expansive gardens entirely carpeted in moss (120 species, we're told). The temple was originally founded in the eighth century, and the garden restored in 1339.

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A Road puzzle: 500 pieces; 520 x 380 mm (20" x 15")
Code: RS5586 (RS-55-86 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Yanoman

Shirakawa-go in spring

Blossom surrounds a tiny paddy field as spring comes to this village in the northern Alps.

Randy Johnson's travel notes on Shirakawa-go

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A Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: Y05710 (05-710 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Yanoman

Miyajima fireworks

The great torii, or Shinto ceremonial gateway of Itsukushima shrine stands vividly silhouetted against a firework display. 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."

Brad Templeton's photos of Miyajima
See also: Itsukushima cherry blossom and Ama-no-hashidate (1000 pieces), one of the other "Three sights"

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A Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: Y05781 (05-781 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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© Yanoman

Shinkansen below Mount Fuji

The iconic shot of modern Japan: the "bullet train" passing below Mount Fuji. This is the N700, the version introduced in 2007, cutting the journey time between Tokyo and Osaka to under two-and-a-half hours.

This puzzle has micro pieces

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A Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 215 x 165 mm (8" x 6")
Code: Y4109 (41-09 on package)
Retail price ¥1000

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© Yanoman

Osaka castle

Restoration of the main tower of Osaka castle was finally completed in 1997. Though made of concrete, it is a faithful reproduction of the original.

This puzzle has micro pieces

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued November 2017
A Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 215 x 165 mm (8" x 6")
Code: Y4110 (41-10 on package)
Retail price ¥1000

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© Yanoman

Seventy islands, Palau

The immensely beautiful islets are in the Rock Islands, part of the Pacific nation of Palau.

This puzzle has micro pieces

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued July 2017
A Yanoman puzzle: 500 pieces; 215 x 165 mm (8" x 6")
Code: Y4113 (41-13 on package)
Retail price ¥1000

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© Ebihara Mikio

Old-time steam journey (Yamaguchi)

This steam locomotive is number one of the C57 type, which has acquired the nickname of Kifujin, or "Lady", runs a nostalgic service on the Yamaguchi line across western Honshu.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

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An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08035 (08-035 on package)
Retail price ¥1400

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© Maki Mizuno

Pink for a precious person

A tasteful collection – actually a range of hues not only pink, for an interesting puzzle.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued April 2018
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08036 (08-036 on package)
Retail price ¥1400

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© Epoch

Nagaoka fireworks

The famous Nagaoka firework festival fills the sky with rosettes, while the bridge across the Shinano River is brilliantly lit with a "Niagara" display.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

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An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08513 (08-513 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Epoch

Nara fire festival

The firework display accompanies a older tradition - burning off the previous year's dead grass, here covering the slopes of Wakakusa-yama (342 m high), and making a spectacular sea of fire.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08514 (08-514 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© AFLO

Kobe port firework display

Dazzling display of fireworks over Kobe port. This is a modern development out into the bay, including a pleasure park–the big wheel is prominent, though reduced to a solid blur by the long exposure needed to capture the fireworks.

A natural harbour and important port from ancient times, when Japan opened its doors to the world in 1868, Kobe became one of the principal points of foreign influence, together with Yokohama and Nagasaki, and it retains this cosmopolitan feel to this day.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08525 (08-525 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Epoch

Sumidagawa firework display (Tokyo)

Sumidagawa is the great river through Tokyo that is the site of the annual summer fireworks display.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08526 (08-526 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© AFLO

Takayama

A well-preserved street in the old part of Takayama, in the northern Alps. The splendid display of wisteria graces the front of the Hisadaya restaurant, which has perhaps provided the colourful parasols. The next building is the Takashima crafts (kôgei) gift shop, so though preserved, the town is still alive.

Randy Johnson's travel notes on Takayama

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08527 (08-527 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Amanaimages

Grand Palace, Bangkok

A night view of the fabulous complex of buildings that has been the official residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two hundred years.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued December 2017
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08530 (08-530 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Epoch

Ginkgo avenue in Tokyo

Sunbeams filter through the bright yellow leaves of the ginkgo, a popular tree for city planting, and often to be seen in Tokyo.

See my "Plant Watcher's" page on the ginkgo.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued January 2022
An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08549 (08-549 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Epoch

Guilin dawn

China's most famous and spectacular scenery, the gorges on the Li river at Guilin.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

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An Epoch puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: E08553 (08-553 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Apollo

Red Fuji

A spectacular aerial view of the rare but genuine meteorological phenomenon whereby at dawn or sunset the whole side of the mountain appears to glow red.

As Mount Olympus was the home of the Greek gods, so Mt. Fuji (3776 metres above sea level) has its place as the symbol of Japan. Although most popular tourist pictures show the view from the south, with the bullet train passing below the mountain, the best views are from the north and east sides.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued December 2018
An Apollo puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P46201 (46-201 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Apollo

Fuji cherry blossom

The ultimate symbols of Japan - Mt Fuji and the cherry blossom, in this view from the north, across Kawaguchi lake.

As Mount Olympus was the home of the Greek gods, so Mt. Fuji (3776 metres above sea level) has its place as the symbol of Japan. Although most popular tourist pictures show the view from the south, with the bullet train passing below the mountain, the best views are from the north and east sides.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Apollo puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P46203 (46-203 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Takashi Sato

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.

Permanently unavailable
An Apollo puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P46204 (46-204 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Apollo

Ryuzu falls

These falls (near Nikko, in Tochigi) descend 60 metres in a gently inclined torrent extending for 200 metres. The name is derived from the appearance of the huge rock separating the two streams at the lower end of the falls, which is said to resemble the head of a dragon.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued May 2023
An Apollo puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P46209 (46-209 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© Apollo-sha

Kintai bridge with 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. The name of the river is Nishikigawa, or "Brocade river", and the name of this bridge suggests it is like the sash of a kimono.

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.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued June 2017
An Apollo puzzle: 450 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P46217 (46-217 on package)
Retail price ¥1200

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© RGG

Nostalgic blue train

The "Blue train", the long-distance sleeper service which connected Tokyo to Kyushu, from 1929 to 2009, when it was finally eliminated by competition from the shinkansen and the air alternative. This photo is somewhere in Kyushu.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued February 2019
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7")
Code: E52101 (52-101 on package)
Retail price ¥1800

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© Epoch

Tokyo tower lit up

Tokyo Tower at night. At 333 m tall the tower, which celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2008, dominates the skyline.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued April 2024
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 182 x 515 mm (7" x 20")
Code: E52105 (52-105 on package)
Retail price ¥1800

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© Epoch

Nara temples

A striking dawn view of the twin pagodas of Yakushi-ji, one of the historic temples of Nara, capital of Japan from 710 to 784.

Wikipedia article

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued June 2017
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 182 x 515 mm (7" x 20")
Code: E52135 (52-135 on package)
Retail price ¥1800

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© Epoch

Mount fuji with bullet train

The iconic shot of modern Japan: the "bullet train" (Shinkansen) passing below Mount Fuji. This is the N700, the version introduced in 2007, cutting the journey time between Tokyo and Osaka to under two-and-a-half hours.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued February 2019
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7")
Code: E52144 (52-144 on package)
Retail price ¥1800

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© Amana Images

Oirase in summer

The Oirase river flows out of Lake Towada east to the sea, and the steep descent provides a renowmed beauty spot. Delicate shades of wild azaleas provide splashes of colour amid the green.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7")
Code: E52702 (52-702 on package)
Retail price ¥1500

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© Epoch

Tokyo waterfront nightscape

Rainbow Bridge and the rest of the modern Tokyo waterfront twinkles in the twilight...

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued September 2017
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7")
Code: E52711 (52-711 on package)
Retail price ¥1500

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© Epoch

Tokyo Station

Tokyo station has been recently renovated, and its imposing red-brick frontage looks smarter than ever. Over recent decades it has also gained a backdrop of huge office buildings, making an interesting blend of textures for a puzzle.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued October 2018
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7")
Code: E52720 (52-720 on package)
Retail price ¥1500

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© Epoch

Tashiroike

High in the Japan Alps, the highest chain of mountains running north-south across the main island, this winding lake is a well-known beauty spot.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued December 2017
An Epoch puzzle: 420 pieces; 515 x 182 mm (20" x 7")
Code: E52726 (52-726 on package)
Retail price ¥1500

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