The Attic

© Epoch

Fuji snowscape

At an altitude of over 900 metres, the village of Oshino benefits from the fresh water which wells in abundance from the slopes of Mount Fuji. This winter view shows the mountain to best advantage, and will be a severe challenge: apart from the mass of blue sky pieces, almost everything is white. But there is an interesting range of textures to help you.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued December 2017
An Epoch puzzle: 2542 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E75027 (75-027 on package)
Retail price ¥3500

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© Epoch

Kinkakuji in winter

The "Gold pavilion," perhaps the most famous of Kyoto's temples, in the depths of winter. The placid waters and still grey trees are beautifully set off by the brilliant gold leaf of the building. This will not be an easy puzzle!

Kinkakuji was originally built in the 1300s, and given to the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397, but was destroyed in an arson attack in 1950. Rebuilt in 1955, the gold leaf covering was only completely restored in 1987. Like the "Silver pavilion," this is only a nickname, and the formal temple name is Rokuonji.

What does the name mean?

gold

pavilion

temple

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23058 (23-058 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Epoch

Kinkakuji in winter

The "Gold pavilion," perhaps the most famous of Kyoto's temples, in the depths of winter. The placid waters and still grey trees are beautifully set off by the brilliant gold leaf of the building. This will not be an easy puzzle!

Kinkakuji was originally built in the 1300s, and given to the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397, but was destroyed in an arson attack in 1950. Rebuilt in 1955, the gold leaf covering was only completely restored in 1987. Like the "Silver pavilion," this is only a nickname, and the formal temple name is Rokuonji.

What does the name mean?

gold

pavilion

temple

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E15516 (15-516 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

More puzzles like this one

© Apollo

Kenroku-en in snow

The famous garden, dating back to the 16th century, in winter garb. In the foreground is the stone lantern, perhaps the best known of its type. The tree "umbrellas" are ropes supporting the branches of ancient pines, under the weight of snow.

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued April 2018
An Apollo puzzle: 1053 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P47612 (47-612 on package)
Retail price ¥1800

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© Beverly Enterprises

Shirakawa-go

Snow-encrusted persimmons hang over a view of winter in this historical mountain village in the northern Alps. These traditional buildings housed extended families of up to forty people.

Randy Johnson's travel notes on Shirakawa-go

Permanently unavailable
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B100134 (100-134 on package)
Retail price ¥1980

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© Beverly Enterprises

Ama-no-hashidate

This is one of the traditional "Three sights of Japan" (along with Matsushima and Miyajima, all coastal sites). A ribbon of old pine trees covers a natural sand spit formation that almost closes the mouth of the bay - the traditional belief is that it is best viewed upside down, with your head between your legs. Of course, you can do the puzzle whichever way up you prefer. This winter scene is not all grey: in the foreground bright pink ume (plum) blossoms poke out from under their covering of snow.

Randy Johnson's travel notes on Ama-no-hashidate
See also : Itsukushima shrine, one of the other "Three sights" - The classic view (2016 small pieces) and Cherry blossom time (1000 pieces)

Permanently unavailable
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B100135 (100-135 on package)
Retail price ¥1980

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© Beverly Enterprises

Fuji rosy dawn

Yet another view from Oshino. There are touches of pink on the mountain, but reflected in the icy pond we see the whole face of Fuji as a rosy glow.

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
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B100169 (100-169 on package)
Retail price ¥1980

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© Beverly Enterprises

Mt. Fuji swans

Swans feed on Tanuki-ko, a small lake to the west, as the sun rises over Mt. Fuji.

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
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B71238 (71-238 on package)
Retail price ¥2600

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© Beverly Enterprises

Mt. Fuji sweetcorn

Sweetcorn cobs drying in the cold but bright winter sun. This is the view from Oshino, a village to the north-east of Fuji.

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
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B71289 (71-289 on package)
Retail price ¥2600

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© Epoch

Shirakawa-go in winter

Winter in this historical mountain village in the northern Alps, with its traditional buildings housing extended families of up to forty people. The floodlighting brings a warmth to the image, and provides an interesting range of colours for the puzzle.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E11365 (11-365 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Epoch

Sapporo glistening

Famous for its ice festival, Sapporo is one of the few cities in Japan with the space to present large-scale views. This is Odori Park, originally designed as a fire-break in the 19th century, and running right across the city. The winter illuminations bring a sense of warmth, despite the freezing temperatures.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued September 2017
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E11366 (11-366 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Takeda Kazutaka

Steam and snow

This steam locomotive, C11 171, was built in 1940, and retired in 1975. After 24 years sleeping in a park in Shibecha, in the wild east part of Hokkaido, it was restored and in 2000 began to provide a winter service on the line through the Kushiro wetlands to Shibecha. It now pulls passengers through this winter wonderland, while the carriages are equipped with old-fashioned stoves to provide both warmth and a nostalgic touch.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E11383 (11-383 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Epoch

Ginzan spa resort

This spa is well-known in Japan since featuring in the TV drama Oshin, but probably more famous worldwide as the inspiration for the bath-house location in Miyazaki's anime feature "Spirited away".

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E11387 (11-387 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Epoch

Sagano grove in winter

This view of the famous bamboo grove outside Kyoto always makes a challenging puzzle, and it is not obvious whether the winter snow version will be slightly easier or slightly harder!

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued December 2018
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E11419 (11-419 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Road

Fuji from Oshino

A crisp winter view, Fuji towering serenely above these traditional cottages 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.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued November 2016
A Road puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: RS13217 (RS-13-217 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Yanoman

Hokkaido sunset

A dramatic sky, and a powerful impression of cold wilderness, yet amazingly this location (Hitsuji-ga-oka, lit. "Sheep-hill") is right on the outskirts of Sapporo.

Permanently unavailable
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: Y101085 (10-1085 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Yanoman

Mt. Fuji - Dawn

This view is from Oshino, with the early morning sun striking the mountain.

There is a lot of purple in this puzzle, which is going to make it something of a challenge!

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
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: Y10934 (10-934 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Takeuchi Toshinobu

Frozen dawn (Takeuchi)

Deepest winter on the Tokachi plain in Hokkaido (no precise location), in the total stillness after dawn - the temperature -20 degrees. Against the dark forest background, steam rising from hot springs forms an ethereal floating cloud.

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

Technical details: Pentax 645N2, 600mm telephoto, f/16 AE +2/3 exposure adjustment; polarising filter; tripod

Permanently unavailable
A Yanoman puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: Y10998 (10-998 on package)
Retail price ¥2800

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© JAL Photo Service

Tashiroike in winter

High in the Japan Alps, the highest chain of mountains running north-south across the main island, this winding lake is a well-known summer beauty spot. In winter it takes on a very different character: severe, but no less picturesque.

There is a lot of interesting detail in this puzzle, but it will not be easy!

Permanently unavailable
An Apollo puzzle: 950 pieces; 1020 x 340 mm (40" x 13")
Code: P0904 (9-04 on package)
Retail price ¥2800

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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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