Jigsaw puzzles from Japan

Scenic puzzles - 1500 pieces and over

3000 pieces

Uyuni salt flats, Bolivia
© Kazuyoshi Nomachi

Uyuni salt flats, Bolivia

Three thousand pieces, and all of them are sky! The famous Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia are covered in water during the wet season, and provide this amazing mirror effect.

Detail

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 3000 pieces; 1020 x 730 mm (40" x 29")
Code: E21514 (21-514 on package)
Retail price ¥4200 (approx. US$28.77 €26.58 £22.83)

All about ordering (please read first)

Majestic Fuji
© Ryuzo Toyotaka
Position map

Majestic Fuji

Fuji in winter garb — the aerial view from the north.

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.

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 3000 pieces; 1020 x 730 mm (40" x 29")
Code: E21515 (21-515 on package)
Retail price ¥4200 (approx. US$28.77 €26.58 £22.83)

All about ordering (please read first)

2542 pieces

Firework collection
© Epoch

Firework collection

Japan has a long tradition of large-scale firework displays, and here is a collection of the many different types.

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2542 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E76013 (76-013 on package)
Retail price ¥3900 (approx. US$26.71 €24.68 £21.20)

All about ordering (please read first)

2016 pieces

Sagano bamboo grove lit up
© Epoch
Position map

Sagano bamboo grove lit up

A night view of the bamboo grove at Sagano in Kyoto. With roughly 1400 pieces of bamboo, and the rest path and brushwood fence, this is a real puzzler's puzzle!

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23546 (23-546 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

Red Fuji
© Epoch
Position map

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.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23502 (23-502 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

Kintai bridge
© Epoch
Position map

Kintai bridge

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.

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23535 (23-535 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

Himeji Castle with azaleas
© Epoch
Position map

Himeji Castle with azaleas

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 puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23593 (23-593 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

Great Seto Bridge
© Epoch
Position map

Great Seto Bridge

An impressive engineering project, this chain of bridges was completed in 1988, to link the main islands of Honshū and Shikoku for the first time. The twin-deck bridge carries the main expressway and a railway line.

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

Out of stock
Resupply date uncertain
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23606 (23-606 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

Ninen-zaka, Kyoto
© Epoch
Position map

Ninen-zaka, Kyoto

This stone-paved street in Kyoto is a big tourist attraction, lined with traditional tea houses and other sources of refreshment (including, apparently, a branch of Starbucks).

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E23602 (23-602 on package)
Retail price ¥2500 (approx. US$17.12 €15.82 £13.59)

All about ordering (please read first)

Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto
© Epoch
Position map

Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto

This is one of two associated Shinto shrines on the Kamo river in northern Kyoto, its name meaning "Upper Kamo shrine" — the other is Shimogamo ("Lower Kamo"). The two have a very long history, going back to the Heian period (c. AD 800), but as is the tradition the structures themselves are maintained and rebuilt as necessary. This is the immensely ornate main gate (rōmon).

One of the oldest shrines in Japan, it is now a World Heritage site.

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E22108 (22-108 on package)
Retail price ¥2800 (approx. US$19.18 €17.72 £15.22)

All about ordering (please read first)

Yōmeimon at Nikko
© Ogawa Hidekazu
Position map

Yōmeimon at Nikko

This spectacular entrance gateway, Yōmeimon, is the central feature of the Nikkō World Heritage site. The whole site is a Shinto shrine (Tōshōgu) built in the early 1600s to honour Tokugawa Ieyasu, the very first Shogun of the Tokugawa era. Since he was the most powerful man in Japan at the time, perhaps it is not so surprising that for a Shinto building this is unusually ornate.

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E22106 (22-106 on package)
Retail price ¥2800 (approx. US$19.18 €17.72 £15.22)

All about ordering (please read first)

Kappa bridge, Japan Alps
© Epoch
Position map

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.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E22110 (22-110 on package)
Retail price ¥2800 (approx. US$19.18 €17.72 £15.22)

All about ordering (please read first)

Fuji towers over the city lights
© Epoch
Position map

Fuji towers over the city lights

An unusual distance view of Fuji, over the city lights around Lake Suwa to the north-east.

* This puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2016 pieces; 750 x 500 mm (30" x 20")
Code: E22102 (22-102 on package)
Retail price ¥2800 (approx. US$19.18 €17.72 £15.22)

All about ordering (please read first)

2000 pieces

Uyuni salt flats
© Kazuyoshi Nomachi

Uyuni salt flats

A puzzle where all the pieces are sky! The famous Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia are covered in water during the wet season, and provide this amazing mirror effect.

* This puzzle has TINY pieces!

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E54011 (54-011 on package)
Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.70 €12.66 £10.87)

All about ordering (please read first)

Kinkaku-ji
© Epoch
Position map

Kinkaku-ji

Perhaps the most famous of Kyoto's temples, this is the "Gold pavilion." It 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.

* This puzzle has TINY pieces!

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E54001 (54-001 on package)
Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.70 €12.66 £10.87)

All about ordering (please read first)

Neuschwanstein castle
© Orion/Amanaimages

Neuschwanstein castle

The famous fairy-tale German castle built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria... you will need lots of patience with the green pieces!

* This puzzle has TINY pieces!

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E54014 (54-014 on package)
Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.70 €12.66 £10.87)

All about ordering (please read first)

Kappa bridge, Japan Alps
© Epoch
Position map

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 TINY pieces!

In stock
An Epoch puzzle: 2000 pieces; 530 x 380 mm (21" x 15")
Code: E54023 (54-023 on package)
Retail price ¥2000 (approx. US$13.70 €12.66 £10.87)

All about ordering (please read first)

Himeji Castle
© Beverly
Position map

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 puzzle has smaller pieces than the standard size.

In stock
A Beverly puzzle: 2000 pieces; 720 x 490 mm (28" x 19")
Code: BS62519 (S62-519 on package)
Retail price ¥3000 (approx. US$20.55 €18.99 £16.30)

All about ordering (please read first)

Deleted puzzles

For reference: you can view all the scenic puzzles of 1500 and more pieces that are out of print - in the Attic.