Garyū Sansō, a Meiji-period sukiya-style villa perched dramatically on a cliff above the Hiji River in Ōzu, is widely regarded as one of Japan's most beautiful rural villas and a masterpiece of traditional architecture. In mid-November, the garden's numerous Japanese maples turn a deep crimson that perfectly frames the pavilion's curved roof overhanging the river gorge below. The narrow forested gorge known as Tonbōkei stretches downstream, where autumn colours linger among steep walls of rock. Entry to the villa and garden is ticketed, and a small café serves matcha with seasonal sweets overlooking the koyo display.
- Type
- Venue
- Category
- Autumn Leaves
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- Mid November
- Region
- Shikoku
- Prefecture
- Ehime
- City
- Ōzu
Highlights
- ◆Meiji-era sukiya villa cantilevered over a forested river gorge
- ◆Deep crimson maple garden regarded as one of Japan's finest villa landscapes
- ◆Tonbōkei Gorge extending downstream for extended autumn walks
- ◆Matcha café with seasonal sweets and gorge views on-site