Review: 31218 Japanese Cherry Blossom Landscape
Posted by Huw,
The Art theme has come a long way since the first Dots-for-adults examples that founded the line during 2020, encompassing LEGO versions of famous paintings as well as original works of art, such as 31218 Japanese Cherry Blossom Landscape, which will be released in January.
Not only is it a joy to behold, it's also very reasonably priced for a change.
Summary
31218 Japanese Cherry Blossom Landscape, 1,892 pieces.
£99.99 / $139.99 / €119.99 | 5.3p / 7.4c / 6.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A beautiful piece of original art that will brighten up any room
- Very reasonably priced
- Ticks all the boxes for a Japanese landscape painting
- None
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Construction
Construction begins with the frame, which is 44 studs square and 5 and 2/3rds deep.
Next, the 'canvas' and its supporting frame are built and once that's out of the way, the fun part starts: 'painting' the picture. This begins with a straightforward studs-up section at the top, before progressing to SNOT methods for the pool at the bottom, and techniques akin to decoupage for the mountains.
When completed, the canvas is pinned into the frame using 2l Technic axles, so it's easy to get in but not so much getting it out again.
The completed model
There's really only one word that can be used to describe the finished model: beautiful! It encompasses everything you'd expect to see in a Japanese landscape, including a snow-capped Mount Fuji and its reflection in a lake, a pagoda, a red bridge, cherry blossom, and cranes flying overhead. The sunset colours in the sky, which include a new shade of pink, named 'warm pink', seen here for the first time, really make it pop.
The upper line of tiles is 222 Light Purple (BrickLink Bright Pink), the lower is 283 Light Nougat. Warm Pink, which we believe is 430, is in the middle.
The water flowing out of the frame at the bottom is hinged, making it possible to display it standing on a shelf, as shown above, with the water spilling onto the surface, or on the wall with the torrent continuing its cascade down towards the ground.
It looks great from afar but also rewards closer inspection, where you can admire the fine details in the blossom and the depth of the scene.
Hooks are provided at the back to facilitate mounting on a wall. I do wish they'd standardise on the spacing between them, though, to make it easy to replace one with another in your house.
Verdict
The Art theme has matured considerably in the last few years, and its designers are producing artwork that's easily on a par with the brick-built masterpieces elsewhere in the range.
The vibrant colours and attractive composition of this particular piece will brighten up any room in your house and what's particularly impressive about it is the price. It's just £99.99 / $139.99 / €119.99 for 1,892 pieces, which compares very favourably with, for example, 11372 Autumn Cottage Garden, which is the same price but much smaller physically and in piece count.
It'll be available from LEGO.com from 1st January.
63 likes
32 comments on this article
On one hand, I really love this set. On the other, I don't know, there's something that does no quite do it for me. Maybe it's the frame? I'm note sure. Weird.
Wow, I don't think I realized the frame was quite that deep!
I've never been really taken with these Art sets (though more than the interminable flower sets) but this one is quite tempting.
@eiffel006 said:
"On one hand, I really love this set. On the other, I don't know, there's something that does no quite do it for me. Maybe it's the frame? I'm note sure. Weird."
For me on reflection, Its that it reminds me of the kind of thing you'd used to see in the cheap home decor /bric a brac stores... I can't really explain it myself as saying 'its something that look to be better quality than it is', feels insulting.
Also, @Huw, I'd not really claim cons as none when you yourself mention the difficulty in taking it apart again, and the inconsistent hangers.
I never thought that I would like a Japanese inspired landscape, it’s just not really my thing. But this, this is, as Huw stated, is beautiful. It really is. It looks like a wonderfully crafted MOC, with the loving expertise that the best of sets get. Debuting a new color in an Art set is very exciting also! The gold ornamentation on the frame is nice executed, and it adds a subtle (but needed) touch of fancy. Still not 100% sold on the overhanging waterfall, but we’ll see. The NPU, recolors, and even the addition of the new color, elevate this set above many others. And the price?! Is it even legal for TLG to price a set like this? Wow. Incredible set, and early 2026 is shaping up to be a great one! N95 for my wallet though… :)
@Huw:
It looks like one, but is that a Dark Red carrot top? I know it’s been in a Speed Champions set…
Looks beautiful! Might pick it up although $140 USA is a bit outside of what I would like to pay. Maybe on a discount.
It looks off that Mt. Fuji has a reflection in the distance, but the much closer mountain cliff face doesn't reflect in the lake. The clear cut lines and the reversed perspective of the mountain is the most distracting on this set, apart from the ugly black frame (those thick, round corners ruin it). The water flowing out of the frame seems unnecessary as well.
I mean, that's pretty good. The pinks remind me of Pixy Stix, which makes me unexpectedly happy.
@Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
" @Huw:
It looks like one, but is that a Dark Red carrot top? I know it’s been in a Speed Champions set…"
Yes it is!
The problem I have with this kind of set is that colours (in areas like the sky) never blend together organically, and the end result looks a bit inelegant as a consequence.
This one looks amazing. I've always been a fan of Japanese landscapes, and this is definitely going on the list. I might even buy it at full price! I must admit I hadn't realised the frame was so thick, but I think that will make it work better next to the Starry Night..
The warm pink looks very close to Paradisa pink which is the best pink ever. It will be interesting to compare the two.
I love the colours and the detail of this set, especially the japanned frame, in keeping with the location. I'm not too sure about the two grey pieces in the waterfall, I might see if I can change them for something else. They stick out far too much and detract from the design.
The price I would argue is expensive, but then again I usually have sets more costly than this, so I suppose it's in the cheaper section of my collection.
Beautiful set. Will try to get it next year. Also, new shade of pink, nice.
But how about they bring back Sand Red and Sand Purple?
@eiffel006 said:
"On one hand, I really love this set. On the other, I don't know, there's something that does no quite do it for me. Maybe it's the frame? I'm note sure. Weird."
I feel the same way. They did a fantastic job making a Japanese landscape picture.
The problem is I never felt I needed a Lego Japanese landscape picture in my house.
Can you also put a single mount in the middle, instead of those two? Did the same with the Hokusai, and it's still hanging....
But cool set I will eventually surely get. As a pretty big Japanophile there are a few things that somewhat bug me,but overall it's pretty good.
@Mister_Jonny said:
"The problem I have with this kind of set is that colours (in areas like the sky) never blend together organically, and the end result looks a bit inelegant as a consequence."
My dad bought three Japanese silk paintings when he was on leave from the USAF. Being crafted entirely from threads stretched across the "canvas", you get a very similar effect. And having been bought in Japan, it's hard to argue that they aren't authentic.
@WizardOfOss said:
"Can you also put a single mount in the middle, instead of those two? Did the same with the Hokusai, and it's still hanging...."
Yes, by rebuilding the frame slightly.
@Huw said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"Can you also put a single mount in the middle, instead of those two? Did the same with the Hokusai, and it's still hanging...."
Yes, by rebuilding the frame slightly."
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for when I eventually get it. Having to drill two holes for this seems a bit overkill.....
(But just ordered the Mily Way.....that one might be a bit too big and heavy for a single screw....)
@WizardOfOss said:
" @Huw said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"Can you also put a single mount in the middle, instead of those two? Did the same with the Hokusai, and it's still hanging...."
Yes, by rebuilding the frame slightly."
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for when I eventually get it. Having to drill two holes for this seems a bit overkill.....
(But just ordered the Mily Way.....that one might be a bit too big and heavy for a single screw....)"
From @Huw's review of that set:"It can be a nuisance hanging pictures that need two hooks or screws: you have to get them level and the correct distance apart, but in this instance they are needed because it's slightly heavier on the right-hand side, so won't hang level if only one is used."
Stunning. I hope there are some good GWPs planned for January!
@TheOtherMike said:
"From @Huw 's review of that set:
"It can be a nuisance hanging pictures that need two hooks or screws: you have to get them level and the correct distance apart, but in this instance they are needed because it's slightly heavier on the right-hand side, so won't hang level if only one is used."
"
Well....maybe with the mount slightly off-center? Bit of a balancing act....
And now that I think of it....the wall I was planning to hang it against is one shared with the bathroom. Probably better be carefull where to drill holes or I'll have bigger problems than a slightly tilted art piece....
A new pink is interesting, but I can't help but feel a little bitter that we get new colors like this that don't immediately jump out while the translucent neons got axed right as their solid counterparts debuted. I wish LEGO's palette debuts and retirements made more sense.
@Darth_Dee said:
"The warm pink looks very close to Paradisa pink which is the best pink ever. It will be interesting to compare the two."
Paradisa return imminent?
@WokePope said:
" @Darth_Dee said:
"The warm pink looks very close to Paradisa pink which is the best pink ever. It will be interesting to compare the two."
Paradisa return imminent?"
I would be amenable to this. Fingers, toes, ears and eyeballs crossed.
Closest to an official Bob Ross LEGO , even if this is a Japanese scene.
As for the new color, it's interesting, I can definately see it used for something Paradisa or Pokémon in the new future.
As much as I like this, my eyes struggle to understand what I’m looking at in some sections as the perspective seems to shift. The mountain shadow and water behind the house for example look like a Dam to my eyes.
@8BrickMario said:
"A new pink is interesting, but I can't help but feel a little bitter that we get new colors like this that don't immediately jump out while the translucent neons got axed right as their solid counterparts debuted. I wish LEGO's palette debuts and retirements made more sense. "
I have to agree. I couldn't help it, but my first thought when I saw the mention of a new color was similar to yours. I miss the neons, particularly trans neon orange, and they left a large gap with their departure.
I love this set! The designers did a fantastic job. Excited about the new color, too :)
Sorry. That skyline looks like an atomic hellscape.
@WizardOfOss said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"From @Huw 's review of that set:
"It can be a nuisance hanging pictures that need two hooks or screws: you have to get them level and the correct distance apart, but in this instance they are needed because it's slightly heavier on the right-hand side, so won't hang level if only one is used."
"
Well....maybe with the mount slightly off-center? Bit of a balancing act....
And now that I think of it....the wall I was planning to hang it against is one shared with the bathroom. Probably better be carefull where to drill holes or I'll have bigger problems than a slightly tilted art piece....
"
So...action feature for the waterfall?