Review : LEGO ART 31218 Japanese Cherry Blossom Landscape

Today we'll take a quick look at the contents of the LEGO ART set. 31218 Japanese Cherry Blossom Landscape, a box of 1892 pieces which will be available on the official online store from January 1, 2026 at the public price of €119,99.

The product caused quite a stir upon its official announcement, largely due to the prevailing Japanophilia that often wreaks havoc in many areas. That being said, while this painting certainly has its merits, is it really anything more than a construction vaguely inspired by the paintings displayed in every all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant in France?

That's the impression I had immediately after discovering the visuals of the product, with the feeling of having already had this type of work a thousand times between two plates of lukewarm spring rolls for which I had to push other guests anxious to recoup the flat rate cost of their lunch at the local Wok.

The proposal put forward here by LEGO is obviously inspired by very common creations in Japanese culture and the set is a melting pot of everything that can be found in the paintings that we have all encountered at least once.

The object, 39 cm high by 35 cm wide and 6 cm deep, combines everything possible with the inevitable Mount Fuji in the background, the indispensable tea house with its traditional roof, the usual cranes in flight, a cherry tree inevitably in bloom clinging to a rock, a few maples and a handful of umbrella pines.

The image is there, it is centralized within a picture framed by a structure with a slightly kitschy finish and LEGO accentuates the 3D depth effect with a clever waterfall that comes out of the frame and can serve as a support point if the thing is displayed on the living room dresser.

You have two options: hang this picture on the wall using the two fixings installed on the back of the frame, or simply place it somewhere by folding back the cascade's fringe. The picture stands upright without the cascade; its frame is deep enough to remain stable on a flat surface. However, the solution implemented here primarily avoids the need for a different assembly method and allows you to use the same product in all cases.

Some will see a touch of poetry here, others will marvel at the rather convincing 3D effect of the construction; it's up to each individual to assess the artistic merit of the product. Personally, I find it a bit corny and caricatured, but that's, once again, very subjective.

In terms of assembly, nothing new here: a brick-based structure, a few plates to form the base on which the various elements of the product are installed, a gradient sky made of Tilesa lake that uses the same technique as the LEGO IDEAS set 21333 Vincent Van Gogh - The Starry Night With its carefully stacked blue bricks, focusing on the instructions, the whole thing is finally covered by the previously assembled black frame, held in place on its edge by a few pins. The frame isn't quite complete; its structure is partially interrupted by the waterfall section that emerges from it.

This set cleverly capitalizes on the current fascination with all things Japanese, leaving it up to each individual to imagine it in their own home according to their personal taste. I find the overall effect far too busy and less elegant than the LEGO ART set. 31208 Hokusai: The Great Waveand I wouldn't know what to do with this falsely arty patchwork of clichés crammed into a frame.

Nevertheless, this product should easily find its audience, especially at under €100, once the more generous retailers have snapped up this box. In the meantime, €120 for this is undoubtedly a bit pricey, but they say art is priceless.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at December 9, 2025 at 23:59 PM. Simply post a comment under the article to participate. Shipping to the winner will only begin on January 1, 2026.