In the bearing wall by Garyu Sanso entrance, you will find stones shaped as moon or small boats sustaining the main building, Garyu-in. What catches your eye here are the buoyant designs and their playfulness, giving you a sense of wabi-sabi flair: the beautiful light and shadows created by the plants and stone pavement in the garden, the details on the finishings of decorations. An enchanting world that touches the senses of every visitor. Every time I step into this mountain hut that has been around for many seasons, I pay homage to its history. 

Sukiya architecture is an elegant and delicate Japanese architectural style. Garyu Sanso owes its prestige to a good entente between local carpenters and Kyoto craftsmen. It took 10 years to complete. The main pavilion, Garyu-in, is where this craftsmen collaboration reached its climax. The building took shape through a careful selection of materials, excellent management and the outstanding skills of master craftsmen. 

As you walk through the garden, you will be fascinated by the accents of plants, masonry and stonework, carefully designed to change their appearance according to the seasons. The view of Garyu-in pavilion from the garden is also a sight to behold. Garyu Sanso is also a compound that that takes full advantage of its surrounding nature. The more you explore the grounds, the deeper the scene becomes, and the more expressive it becomes. 

It is said that the reason why Garyu Sanso's design could reach such heights is because Ozu did not have the same architectural restrictions as Kyoto. The ideas and skills of the craftsmen shine in each 'space', taking form as playfulness with light, seasonal-themed decorations or spaces that perfectly encompass tea ceremony rituals. 

In the Seibuki-no-Ma chamber, carvings on its lintels decorate the space with elements of the four seasons. The openwork carvings are associated with water elements, such as rafts on clear streams in spring, snowflakes in winter or water ripples in summer. 

When candles are lit in the Buddhist altar of the 'Kagetsuki no Ma' chamber, visitors can experience a recreated sight of the moon. The 'Chigaidana' shelf , displaying the moon, is wraped by mist. On its right, the sliding door is deliberately dark gray to represent twilight, and the handle has a bat motif. Furthermore, there is a wonderful sense of wabi-sabi, with parts of the walls left unfinished to re-create the atmosphere of a dilapidated farmhouse. 

As you step into this small pavilion you will be captivated by its beauty. Light and shadow are managed carefully, enhancing the changes of time and season. Use your five senses to secretly feed your soul. 

'Furo-an' Pavilion was built on the Garyu cliff, overhanging the Hiji River. Supported by thin pillars, this 'kakezukuri' or cantilevered structure enables to oversee the watercourse. The round ceiling is intricately woven with bamboo, creating a clever design in which the mid-autumn moon is reflected on the river surface. And on sunny days, sunlight flickers and illuminates the ceiling. Just lose track of time and gaze at such elegant scenes. Furo-an also provides tea ceremony a remarkable tea ceremony setting. Enjoying Hiji River as a backdrop while having the tea prepared by a tea master is something special. (*Advance reservations are required)

The depth of Garyu Sanso can be better understood when visited with a local guide.