Garyu Sanso
Garyu Sanso
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located on the banks of the Hijikawa River, Garyu Sanso is a premier scenic spot that embodies the essence of Japanese culture. This masterpiece of architecture was meticulously built over a period of more than 10 years by Torajiro Kochi, a prominent trader around the turn of the 20th century. The name Garyu, meaning "reclining dragon," was supposedly given by the third lord of Ozu Domain, Yasutsune Kato, who believed that the shape of Mt. Horai resembled a resting dragon. At Garyu Sanso, you can immerse yourself in the serene beauty and breathtaking views once cherished by feudal lords. Step outside of Torajiro Kochi's carefully crafted Garyu-in and be enchanted by the meticulously designed stone pathways and the stunning moss garden. In 2011, Garyu-in was awarded one Michelin star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. In 2016, Garyu-in, Furoan, and Bunko were designated as National Cultural Properties. In 2021, Garyu Sanso was designated as a National Scenic Spot.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
127 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
35
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tara I
Washington DC, DC31 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
This is a beautiful small garden and house with a tea house that overlooks the river. They have some slightly bizarre rules about what you can and cannot take photos of, but definitely worth a trip. Inside the house they have a 4-seasons room with some beautiful carved wood windows, and the garden is small but lovely. The tea house is amazing, worth going to sit for a moment, but I also recommend going down to the river after you leave Garyu Sanso, and crossing the bridge to the little island (we dubbed it 'mosquito rock' but apparently the locals call it 'diving dragon island') and walk to the end where you can get a view of the tea house up in the trees above the river.
Written June 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flyintl
San Francisco, CA221 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
A small but incredibly serenely beautiful home with a sublime garden perched on a river.
I went there because I bought a combination ticket to the Ozu Castle and was truly amazed at Garyu Sanso.
I went there because I bought a combination ticket to the Ozu Castle and was truly amazed at Garyu Sanso.
Written December 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avin N
Robina, Australia401 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Loved the quietness and history of this old Japanese home and garden.
Lovely walk around the house and garden. Staff were very helpful with imparting their knowledge and keen to answer questions.
Lovely walk around the house and garden. Staff were very helpful with imparting their knowledge and keen to answer questions.
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna A
������20 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
A small world ofabsolute tranquility! One can see how people tried to leave wordly vanity and stay in the privacy of their mind. Beautiful garden, full of obscure meaning. Professional and passionate staff. Worth visiting!
Written May 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
陽祐 井
Shibuya, Japan3 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
This structure call "Garyu Sanso". Garyu means "still-hunting and waiting dragon".
Hijikawa river looks like it at this structure.
It was built at 1907 and very elaborately designed. Because at that time, Japan opened for world and started trading any material with foreign country. Everyone looked up new materials , goods and culture from foreign country.Therefore almost all people threw away past age culture, for example Japanese tea ceremony, building style and so on.
Mr. Torajiro Kochi, he is the founder this structure. He really achieved a lot of success with trading Japanese wax.And he really loved old age culture especially Japanese tea ceremony. He gathered carpenter form Kyoto and had them make this structure. These carpenter had very happy because they were treated contempt and didn't have business at that time.They were willing to work and into a lot of and deep elaborately designed.
When you go there, we would like you to find these design.
And every Sunday and national holiday from April to end of October, you can take casual tea ceremony in this Gary Sanso with 400 yen (One Japanese tea and confection, Not include enter fee)Please have a nice time and good taste.
Hijikawa river looks like it at this structure.
It was built at 1907 and very elaborately designed. Because at that time, Japan opened for world and started trading any material with foreign country. Everyone looked up new materials , goods and culture from foreign country.Therefore almost all people threw away past age culture, for example Japanese tea ceremony, building style and so on.
Mr. Torajiro Kochi, he is the founder this structure. He really achieved a lot of success with trading Japanese wax.And he really loved old age culture especially Japanese tea ceremony. He gathered carpenter form Kyoto and had them make this structure. These carpenter had very happy because they were treated contempt and didn't have business at that time.They were willing to work and into a lot of and deep elaborately designed.
When you go there, we would like you to find these design.
And every Sunday and national holiday from April to end of October, you can take casual tea ceremony in this Gary Sanso with 400 yen (One Japanese tea and confection, Not include enter fee)Please have a nice time and good taste.
Written June 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
원진 이
Seoul, South Korea79 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
I did not expect much about small town of Ozu, Japan, but Garyu Sanso was an unexpected pleasure. Situated right next to the river, Garyu Sanso provides spectacular view. Also as not many people visit here, you can enjoy tranquility. It is nice place to visit. It takes about 15minutes from Ozu Castle by foot.
오즈라는 작은 도시에 대하여 별로 기대하지 않았지만 가류 산장으로 인하여 예상치 못한 즐거움을 느낄 수 있었습니다. 강가에 위치하여 전형적인 일본미인 와비사비를 구현하는 공간입니다. 오즈성에서 도보 15분으로 꽤 가깝습니다. 걸어가는 길 자체도 볼 거리입니다. 느낌 있는 일본 소도시의
골목 골목을 경험 할 수 있습니다.
오즈라는 작은 도시에 대하여 별로 기대하지 않았지만 가류 산장으로 인하여 예상치 못한 즐거움을 느낄 수 있었습니다. 강가에 위치하여 전형적인 일본미인 와비사비를 구현하는 공간입니다. 오즈성에서 도보 15분으로 꽤 가깝습니다. 걸어가는 길 자체도 볼 거리입니다. 느낌 있는 일본 소도시의
골목 골목을 경험 할 수 있습니다.
Written February 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jessABamaGirl
Kokomo, IN923 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
This Villa allows you to see traditional Japanese architecture from the 20th century. Each room has an audio recording explaining certain aspects; unfortunately, it's not in English. BUT, they have a very detailed brochure. They have weird rules about taking pictures. The house opens to picturesque views of Ozu.
Written November 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R.
Ulsan, South Korea1,374 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Initially planned to take in Garyu Sanso as the 'supporting act' to the main feature of visiting Ozu, i.e.: Ozu Castle. As much as I enjoyed the truly excellent Castle, it was the unassuming Cottage/Gardens at Garyu Sanso that left the most indelible memory of my brief visit to this little town.
The persistent drizzle necessitated taking a taxi from Ozu Castle, but having toured the Cottage itself, the showers miraculously cleared-up and a staff member reminded me to visit the garden and teahouse outside, accessed through a little 1/2-sized doorway by the Cottage entrance. What a gem! The garden occupies a narrow strip of ground from the Cottage itself to a teahouse on stilts, overlooking the river below. Instead of some artificial elaborate planted garden, the garden looks very 'natural' and after the rain showers was very fresh and green and clean. I particularly liked some of the typically Japanese details, like floral displays floated on bamboo strips on water features.
With no other visitors in the garden itself, I probably spent 1/2-hour or so sitting alone (and shoeless) on the teahouse balcony, soaking in the tranquility. Returning to the Cottage, the helpful staff called a taxi to take me back to the JR Station.
Like I say .... indelible memories!
The persistent drizzle necessitated taking a taxi from Ozu Castle, but having toured the Cottage itself, the showers miraculously cleared-up and a staff member reminded me to visit the garden and teahouse outside, accessed through a little 1/2-sized doorway by the Cottage entrance. What a gem! The garden occupies a narrow strip of ground from the Cottage itself to a teahouse on stilts, overlooking the river below. Instead of some artificial elaborate planted garden, the garden looks very 'natural' and after the rain showers was very fresh and green and clean. I particularly liked some of the typically Japanese details, like floral displays floated on bamboo strips on water features.
With no other visitors in the garden itself, I probably spent 1/2-hour or so sitting alone (and shoeless) on the teahouse balcony, soaking in the tranquility. Returning to the Cottage, the helpful staff called a taxi to take me back to the JR Station.
Like I say .... indelible memories!
Written June 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ozteddy
Brisbane, Australia463 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This has to be the main reason to visit Ozu, and it was well worth the trip from Matsuyama to see it. Beautifully crafted and sited in the most perfect position looking onto the river it is simply beautiful, The garden although small is delightful and interesting and leads to perhaps the best feature, the tea house built on stilts over a bend in the river. Marred slightly by the modern buildings you can now see from it, it must have been the most wonderful place to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Only two other people there during our visit, it was really a lovely place, and the English leaftlet provided gives a really good insight into the history. Staff were very pleasant.
Written April 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mish_H50
Japan387 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
The house and garden are a great find- not what I expected in this small town. Both are very well done- the small details are amazing. Don't miss on the explanations of the staff of the rooms, its really a lot more interesting once its understood. the garden is really a gem.
Written July 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingGaryu Sanso - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Garyu Sanso
- Garyu Sanso is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Garyu Sanso:
- (0.21 mi) Ozu Shiromachi Guest House
- (0.26 mi) Business Hotel Daiichi
- (0.54 mi) NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town
- (0.65 mi) Hotel Ota
- (0.65 mi) Tokiwa Ryokan
- Restaurants near Garyu Sanso:
- (0.10 mi) Izumiya
- (0.04 mi) Garyu Chaya
- (0.11 mi) Futaba-Ya Shihocho
- (0.11 mi) Tominawa Shoeido
- (0.11 mi) Nakatsuka
Garyu Sanso Information
Excellent Reviews | 88 |
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Very Good Reviews | 35 |
Garyu Sanso Photos | 340 |