The Attic

© Epoch

Oirase rapids

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

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued September 2018
An Epoch puzzle: 2542 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E75502 (75-502 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Epoch

Kappa bridge, Japan Alps

This wooden suspension bridge is a landmark of the Kamikochi resort area in the Japan alps, and its span of some 30 metres carries hikers across Azusagawa river. Beyond can be seen some of Japan's most majestic mountains.

The bridge is named for the mythical water-creature, the kappa, which is said to live in deep clear waters such as these.

Wikipedia article on Kappa

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: E75511 (75-511 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Epoch

Shirakawa-go houses

A fine summer day in this historic village in the Japanese alps. These gasshōzukuri houses, named after a supposed resemblance between the roof and hands at prayer, were built to house extended families of up to forty people, and are now part of a World Heritage site.

Looking across a ripening paddy field, a row of foxgloves in the foreground adds an extra accent to this big challenge puzzle...

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued November 2016
An Epoch puzzle: 2542 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E76607 (76-607 on package)
Retail price ¥3400

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© Epoch

Oirase rapids

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

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23532 (23-532 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Imamura Yutaka

Kappa bridge, Japan Alps

This wooden suspension bridge is a landmark of the Kamikochi resort area in the Japan alps, and its span of some 30 metres carries hikers across Azusagawa river. Beyond can be seen some of Japan's most majestic mountains.

The bridge is named for the mythical water-creature, the kappa, which is said to live in deep clear waters such as these.

Wikipedia article on Kappa

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued February 2018
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23547 (23-547 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Epoch

Nagano flower road

Flowers line a hiking trail in the mountains of central Japan — the approach to Ontake-san, the 3067-metre high mountain seen in the distance. Long revered as one of the sacred high peaks, this volcano long regarded as extinct suddenly erupted in 1979.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23567 (23-567 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Amanaimages

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
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23568 (23-568 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Epoch

Ama-no-hashidate

Azaleas make a bright foreground to this view along Ama-no-hashidate. This is one of the natural wonders of Japan, a natural sand spit formation that almost closes the mouth of Miyazu bay, and is covered by a ribbon of old pine trees.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued September 2018
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23574 (23-574 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Epoch

Nabegataki falls

This waterfall high in the mountains of Kyushu has been made more famous by repeated appearance in TV commercials. At 10 m high and 20 m wide it is impressive enough, but its other claim to fame is that you can walk through the large cave behind the curtain of water. This gives it the alternative name of Urami-no-taki, literally "seen behind falls".

Photos including the reverse view

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

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An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E24602 (24-602 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Beverly

Irises in Shirakawa

Irises bloom by the edge of the little brook that flows past this country cottage in the traditional style of the Japan Alps, in the famous preserved village of Shirakawa-go.

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued September 2018
A Beverly puzzle: 2000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: BS72524 (S72-524 on package)
Retail price ¥2600

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© Epoch

Shirakawa-go - early summer

An idyllic scene by a country cottage in the traditional style of the Japan Alps (in the famous preserved village of Shirakawa-go). The yellow flowers in the stream in the foreground are kakitsubata, a delicate but very common variety of iris.

Randy Johnson's travel notes on Shirakawa-go

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Code: E19007 (19-007 on package)
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© Epoch

Shiraito falls

Shiraito-no-taki, or "White-thread falls" is just west of Mt. Fuji. With a drop of 25 m, and a total width of 200 m, this is only the most famous of many waterfalls of this name.

Combination of 1500 + 400 small-piece puzzles

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Code: E17601 (17-601 on package)
Retail price ¥3500

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© Epoch

Tashiroike

High in the Japan Alps, the highest chain of mountains running north-south across the main island, the banks of this winding lake are fringed with wild azaleas.

More about wild azaleas in Sano Gallery

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

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Code: E18502 (18-502 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Epoch

Dawn over Hokkaido lavender

A dramatic dawn view of the lavender fields in Furano, Hokkaido. This is one of Epoch's "graded" series (2 kyu), so it is not designed to be easy...

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An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E14507 (14-507 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Yamamoto Keisuke

Furano lavender fields

Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, has a gentler topography, and climate ideal for flower growing. Lavender fields provide a dash of brilliant colour in the summer countryside — and nearly half of the puzzle area is purple blossom, so do note expect it to be very easy!

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1500 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E15546 (15-546 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Apollo

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.

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

This puzzle has the same image printed on both sides.

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Discontinued July 2020
An Apollo puzzle: 1053 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P49402 (49-402 on package)
Retail price ¥2200

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© Apollo

Gokayama irises

Irises line the paddy fields in this preserved village of the traditional mountain houses, high above Toyama.

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

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Discontinued August 2020
An Apollo puzzle: 1053 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: P49614 (49-614 on package)
Retail price ¥2100

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© Appleone

Mashûko

Mashûko - or Lake Mashu if you prefer - is a deep (140 m) caldera lake, with some of the clearest water in the world. What most of the guide books fail to mention is that this beautiful view is rather rare; when I went there, we saw nothing but thick cloud, above, below, and all around.

The wild orange lilies in the foreground are a common feature of the Japanese summer landscape.

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An Appleone puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: A10297 (1000-297 on package)
Retail price ¥2400

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© Beverly Enterprises

Hokkaido poppies

Hokkaidô is the northernmost large island of Japan, with very different topography. Rolling hills and pastures give it a much more "European" feel than the islands further south. Here brilliant red poppies lie next to a swathe of purple lavender; we are not given the exact location.

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A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B100110 (100-110 on package)
Retail price ¥1980

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© Beverly Enterprises

Hokkaido lavender fields

A little cooler than most of Japan, the northern island of Hokkaido is ideal for flower growing. Here lavender stretches as far as the eye can see, even lending a purple haze to the distance.

Permanently unavailable
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B100120 (100-120 on package)
Retail price ¥1980

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© Beverly Enterprises

Hokkaido sunflowers

Hokkaidô, the northernmost large island of Japan, is typified by gentle landscapes that give it a much more "European" feel than the other islands. Vincent van Gogh would surely have felt at home in this field of sunflowers, outside the town of Biei.

The official Biei town website (in Japanese)

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A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: B100121 (100-121 on package)
Retail price ¥1980

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© Beverly Enterprises

Karasawa falls

One of Japan's many medium-sized waterfalls, with a drop of about 15 metres. Actually not the only one called Karasawa-no-taki, either - I found two in Nagano prefecture alone, but it's fairly clear that ours is the one at Sugadaira. The splash of golden yellow in the foreground is the very common yamabuki, well-known to Western gardeners as the shrub Kerria.

Japanese sites with photographs of Karasawa-no-taki: The one in the puzzle - Another one (further south: Kiso-Fukushima)

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Code: B100126 (100-126 on package)
Retail price ¥1980

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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.

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued June 2020
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: BM71834 (M71-834 on package)
Retail price ¥1800

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© Beverly

Gokayama

Irises line the paddy fields in this preserved village of the traditional mountain houses, high above Toyama.

This puzzle has TINY pieces!

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued June 2018
A Beverly puzzle: 1000 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: BM71855 (M71-855 on package)
Retail price ¥1800

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© Epoch

Ozegahara

Ozenuma, or "Oze swamp," is another name for this wetland area, right on the junction of Tochigi, Niigata, and Gunma prefectures. It's also an easy train ride from Tokyo, and a popular destination for hikers, hence requiring a twin boardwalk. This is early summer, when the wetland is covered with yellow lilies.

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An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E10120 (10-120S on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Epoch

Tashiroike

High in the Japan Alps, the highest chain of mountains running north-south across the main island, the banks of this winding lake are fringed with wild azaleas.

More about wild azaleas in Sano Gallery

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E10121 (10-121S on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© Epoch

Lake Mashuko

Mashûko - or Lake Mashu if you prefer - is a deep (140 m) caldera lake, with some of the clearest water in the world. What most of the guide books fail to mention is that this beautiful view is rather rare; when I went there, we saw nothing but thick cloud, above, below, and all around.

The wild orange lilies in the foreground are a common feature of the Japanese summer landscape.

(From the Epoch "Power Spot" collection)

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E11364 (11-364 on package)
Retail price ¥3000

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© Epoch

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.

The picture on the box has a number of "mistakes", slight differences from the puzzle.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued December 2020
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E59502 (59-502 on package)
Retail price ¥3500

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© Epoch

Hida paddy fields

The famous preserved village of Shirakawagô has its extended-family houses surrounded by paddy fields, showing that rice can be grown even in the high valleys of the Japan Alps. The Hida name is the ancient kuni name of this area; it's now part of Gifu.

Photo note: I hesitated about this puzzle. It's a good close up view of paddy fields, but even given today's fashion for highly saturated photographs, I find the colours exaggerated. It is a fun puzzle to do, though, because of the reflection symmetry.

Permanently unavailable
An Epoch puzzle: 1000 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E83188 (1000SN-188 on package)
Retail price ¥2500

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© JTB photo

Summer comes to Oirase

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

This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Permanently unavailable
Discontinued September 2018
An Epoch puzzle: 759 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E57501 (57-501 on package)
Retail price ¥1600

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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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© 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

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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© Higashida Yuji

Mamako falls with azaleas

Mamako falls in Kyushu makes an impressive sight with its 20-metre drop.

The photographer, Higashida Yuji comments that because the location is overshadowed by trees he chose an overcast day in March, bringing out a rich palette of colour both in the azaleas and the tones of the water surface.

Technical details: Linhof Master Technika 4x5 Field Camera, Nikkor 300 mm, 4 seconds at f/64; Fujichrome Velvia

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A Yanoman puzzle: 300 pieces; 380 x 260 mm (15" x 10")
Code: Y03644 (03-644 on package)
Retail price ¥1400

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