This is Kairakuen from the perspective of Lake Senba. The plum orchard is hidden behind a grove of very tall cedars and there's a serene bamboo forest off to the left. That building near the top of the hill is the Kobuntei, Tokugawa Nariaki's private quarters. Writers and artists and some of his other clever subjects were invited to parties here. They composed poetry to entertain the elderly guests. (Note to great-nieces and -nephews: Sharpen your pencils. Aunt Kathy will be expecting continuous entertainment in her dotage.)
According to the garden guide, Kobun is another word for Japanese plum and originated in China. The Kobuntei completely burned down as a result of an aerial attack on August 2, 1945 and took three years to rebuild starting in 1955.
This is the last plum blossom picture you'll see this year, but not the last picture you'll see from the Mito adventure.
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