In front of the outer waiting arbour is the nakakuguri gateway. It is a middle gate with a small opening cut into a short wall. Rikyu tried the same thing in the roji at the Juraku residence. The host greets the guests here. Passing through this gate the roji opens broadly out, and looking straight ahead, the Baikenmon gate can be seen. On the left there is the tranquil view of the light kirizumayane roof (like a half-opened and inverted book, the length of the ridge and the eaves are equal) of the Zangetsutei with its extended eaves. Going east on the stepping stones the garden path facing the seven mat room (shichijo) on the left, splits into two. Proceeding straight forward one comes at last to the roji of the Zangetsutei. The stepping stones are skillfully arranged to lead to the Zangetsutei, the Baikenmon gate, then on the right a well, with just enough shrubbery to make a pleasant view.

Following the stepping stones to the left leads one to the domabisashi (eaves over an earthen floor) of the Zangetsutei. The stepping stones are really cleverly laid out, leading smoothly to the kutsunugiishi (stone in front of tea room where shoes are removed). On the right is a stone on which a pail of water used for washing the hands is placed. At the right end of the domabisashi is a sodegaki fence extending out from the side of the buiding. It is made of bamboo branches and is of such an intricate construction, taking so long to make, that it is also called hyakuningaki (100 persons fence).

The Zangetsutei is a shoin (drawing room style) tea room that has been used from long ago along with Fushin'an. It was built by Shoan as a smaller version of the irotsuke (coloured) shoin at the Juraku residence. This ten mat room was built with a raised two mat area with a low ceiling, a tsukeshoin study area, and in front of this a slanting kesho yaneura. This unusual structure kept alive the special characteristics of the irotsuke kokonoma (eighteen mat) shoin. Although it is a shoin-style room it has both square and round pillars and an attic. It is an attractive room which owes its existence to the free energy of Rikyu's original ideas. The upper level is used as a tokonoma (alcove) and is called the zangetsudoko.

There is anecdote about Toyotomi Hideyoshi visiting the irotsuke kokonoma shoin, and resting his back against the corner pillar while observing the lingering moon. Today the upper level pillar is called taikobashira (Toyotomi Hideyoshi was also known as taiko).