The main structure on the villa’s grounds is a single-story farmhouse style dwelling with a thatched hipped roof. Legend has it that the teahouse architect Yagi was appointed advisor in the much labored construction of Garyu-in, which started in 1903 and took over four years to complete, using the Katsura Imperial Villa, Shugakuin Imperial Villa and the palace of the princely house of Nashimoto as examples. The construction was carried out by famous carpenters of Ozu and Kyoto. The building is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece that contains architectural touches by Senke Jisshoku, and paintings by Matsutosih Suzuki.
