Cherry blossoms in Japan started unusually early this year. In Berlin, in contrast, it has become very cold again in recent days. But spring is approaching. Our cherry blossom buds are becoming bigger and bigger!

As some of you may know, there is a small Japanese-style garden on the grounds of the Japanese-German Center Berlin. This photo of the cherry blossom buds was taken by our janitor Dirk JAGER. Even though the number of visitors is currently low due to the Corona crisis, our colleagues Mr. André RODRIAN and Mr. JAGER are taking care of the garden. After all, we want to be prepared for the day when we will be able to receive visitors in attendance again. Other colleagues take a walk through the garden for a change. In addition to the cherry trees, there are also numerous pine trees, and in the fall the garden is covered with their cones. So you get a real sense of the changing seasons.

So even while working, you can enjoy the seasonal spectacle of nature at the JDZB, as long as you are situated in the right room. Unfortunately, I have never worked in an room with a view of the garden. My colleagues who have offices facing the garden can admire it through large windows. That is enviable. However, these rooms get very hot in the summer because they are not equipped with air conditioning. So working on the non-garden side also has its advantages.

From now on, from time to time, we are planning to send you some seasonal greetings from our Japanese-German Center Berlin!

Photo: Dirk JAGER, house technician and janitor of the JDZB
Text: YAJIMA Yoshiko, works for the Press and Public Relations Department of the JDZB.