From the outer waiting arbour (sotokoshikake), one passes through the raised bamboo gate (agesudo), crosses the dry moat and takes the path of stepping stones that remind one of a lonely path deep in the mountains, coming at last to the Sodo (Founder's Hall). In the dry moat there is a big wash basin made from a natural stone which is set so that you have to squat down to use it. This is the wash basin from the two mat room at the Juraku residence.

The thatched roof slopes steeply, and has an atmosphere of solemnity befitting a sanctuary. The Sodo that Joshinsai built also had a thatched roof. The room has four-and-a-half mats, with an upper level opposite the nijiriguchi (crawl-through entrance). There is a circular window at the back of this raised area, behind which is the Rikyudo where Rikyu's image is enshrined. The toko (alcove) next to the raised area is facing sideways. The host's mat has a doko (utensil cabinet set into the wall) and the hearth is between the host and guests. The nakabashira (central pillar) is on the front corner of the hearth. There is a shikirikabe wall between the host and guests with a katoguchi (arched doorway). The host opens the taiko-busuma (sliding door with paper covering the whole door including the frame) after carrying in the utensils and arranging them. This kind of structure is called Doan-gakoi. In the time soon after the revival of the fortunes of the Sen family there was a mukogiri (hearth cut between host and guests) three mat Doan-gakoi, and this is a suitable structure for a Founder's Hall. There are few windows, giving a feeling of solemnity. Through the operation of the skylight, light can be let into the whole room. The corner pillar of the host's mat is partly hidden. This is called yojibashira.