The Mori Ōgai Memorial Center is dedicated to intercultural research and education. The Center’s core themes are the life and work of the Japanese writer and medical doctor Mori Ōgai (1862– 1922). In the spirit of its namesake, it also provides a forum for discussing the diversity of cultural and academic encounters between East Asia and Europe.

The Center is located on the site of Ōgai’s first lodging during his studies in Wilhelmine Berlin (1887–1888). In the permanent exhibition, visitors can explore his biography and gain insights into a literary oeuvre that addresses encounters between the regions of the world and the disciplines of knowledge in a topical way. The exhibition focuses on the young scholar’s experience in Berlin and its aftermath. Thus, the memorial room recreates the atmosphere of Ōgai’s engagement with the world of European literature, philosophy, and science.

To promote engagement with Ōgai’s multifaceted life and works, the Ogai Portal (www.ogai.de) provides a rich body of information, research perspectives, and resource materials. The Center’s special exhibitions and regular events illuminate the intertwined history of German-Japanese relations.