Liberdade - Sao Paulo's Japantown
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Brazil is home to 1.5 million people of Japanese descent. Sao Paulo has the largest community of Nikkei in Brazil and the heart of the community is a district called Liberdade. In February 2008 I took a trip to Sao Paulo for the first time. These are my pictures from Liberdade.
Slides in this album |
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LiberdadeLiberdade is located in the heart of Sao Paulo and historically was the quarters where freed slaves lived, hence the name "Liberty" or "Liberdade" in Portuguese. Today it is known as Sao Paulo's Japan Town, but other Asian ethnic groups have also settled here.
Liberdade Torii |
bokinaka
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A living communityThe area is a mix of local shops, restaurants, apartments, hotels and community centers. Walking around, you really get a sense of a living community.
Nikkei Man in Liberdade |
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Culture centerInside this building is the Museum of Japanese Immigration. It tells the story of the Japanese settlers in Brazil. Many cultural and community centers are located in Liberdade, like kenjinkais (prefectural associations) and trade associations. |
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Buddhist templeThe Japanese immigrants brought their beliefs with them. This is a Buddhist temple in Liberdade. But not all Nikkei are Buddhist. Many have converted to Catholicism. But I did not see other churches in Liberdade.
Busshinji Temple in Liberdade |
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Street viewsThe concrete buildings in Sao Paulo are pretty drab, but in Liberdade, some of the buildings incorporate a Japanese theme, like this McDonalds.
Liberdade MacDonald's |
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Japanese flavorMany of the businesses cater to the Asian community in Sao Paulo. People shop here for Asian groceries, Japanese books and household goods. There is one street that has a row of futon stores. There are also gift shops offering Japanese knick-knacks like tea sets, cheap kimonos and fake samurai …
Making takoyaki in Liberdade |
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LanchonetesOne of the things I noticed was that the McDonalds was the only fast food joint I saw. People can get a bite to eat at these corner markets called "lanchonetes," located on almost every block.
Lanchonetes at night |
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A peek insideHere's a closer look inside the lanchonetes. I liked drinking "sucos" - freshly-squeezed fruit drinks. Some of the choices are exotic fruits from the Amazon.
A look inside a lanchonetes |
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Eating in LiberdadeThere are plenty of Japanese restaurants in Liberdade. This establishment serves buffet-style Japanese food. Besides the restaurants there isn't much nightlife in the area other than a few karaoke places.
Nandemoya - 1 |
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Cross-cultural cuisineOne of the things I was looking for on my visit was how they mixed Japanese and Brazilian food. I did find this unusual strawberry maki sushi (center of the picture). I also learned that yakisoba was a popular Japanese dish among Brazilians.
Nandemoya - 2 |
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Sakura soy sauceThis is Sakura soy sauce made by a Japanese immigrant to Brazil. Immigrants came to Brazil to work in agriculture and later started up other businesses, many of which catered to other Japanese.
Sakura soy sauce |
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Old friendsLiberdade has its own subway stop. The plaza in front of the station is a community area where people gather.
Liberdade gathering spot |
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Weekend marketOn weekends, the plaza becomes a street market where shoppers can buy clothes, gifts, handmade crafts and other items.
Street Market in Liberdade |
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Food stallsThe food stalls at the street market were mouth-watering good! This stall served meat on a stick and I'm not sure if it was Brazilian-style barbeque or giant-sized yakitori. Maybe both?
Food stall at Liberdade |
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Good fortuneThis Shinto priest writes good luck fortunes and sells protective amulets for people at the street market.
Liberdade street market - good luck charms |
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Origami craftsNathalia makes very tiny origami accessories and sells them at the street market with her father. She is also on a roller hockey team that sometimes competes in North America.
Liberdade street market - origami stand |
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Anime kidsRecently, Brazilian teenagers come to the station plaza to hang out on Sundays. They come here because they are anime fans and Liberdade is as close to Japan as they can get. Unfortunately, this picture was taken on Saturday.
Graffiti art at the Liberdade Metro plaza |
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Graffiti artThe streets of Liberdade are covered with a lot of cool graffiti art. This piece was made by Titi Freak and Ramon Martins.
Liberdade graffiti art - Fish |
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Titi FreakTiti Freak is a Japanese Brazilian street artist. His real name is Hamilton Yokota. You can see more of his artwork at www.tfreak.com.
Graffiti art in Liberdade |
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Future art museumWork is being done on renovating this old school into a Japanese Brazilian art museum. It is named after Manabu Mabe, a famous abstract painter who was born in Japan, but grew up in Brazil.
Museu de Arte Moderna Nipo-Brasileira Manabu Mabe |
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Taiko performanceThese young people performed taiko at an anime festival held at Bunkyo, the community culture center.
Hikari Daiko |
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Hikari DaikoThe name of the group is Hikari Daiko.
Hikari Daiko group shot |
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Tanabata FestivalEvery July, the streets of Liberdade are decorated with colorful streamers to celebrate the Tanabata Festival, just like the one in Japan.
七夕祭り＠リベルダーデ２ |
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Daniele SuzukiDaniele Suzuki is a television personality in Brazil. Here she is reporting from the Tanabata Festival. Brazilian Nikkei have formed communities, built homes and businesses and integrated into all aspects of life in their new homeland. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil. Omedetoo gozaimasu!
Daniele Suzuki |
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