The residence is separated into four wings each of which is named after four seasons: in the spring wing, there lives lady Murasaki, the summer wing, Hanachirusato and other women, the autumn wing is for the Ise Consort's short leaves from service (because of this she is called Akikonomu, which literally means preferring autumn), and in the winter wing, lady Akashi.
院は四季の町に分けられており、春に紫の上、夏に花散里そのほかの人びと、秋は斎宮女御の宿下りの町（このために秋好中宮と呼ばれる）、冬に明石の御方が住いする。