Japanese Culture in the Middle of Sao Paulo

Most travelers taking advantage of flight deals to Sao Paulo are surprised to find so much Japanese culture in a Brazilian city. In fact, Sao Paulo is the home of Liberdade, which means “freedom” in Portuguese. This area in Sao Paulo known as the Japanese District is the home to several Japanese businesses, restaurants and shopping centers.

The Location
When taking flights to Sao Paulo, make sure to stop by the Japanese District where you will see Japanese culture mixed in with Brazilian flare. Liberdade is easily accessible by Sao Paulo’s subway system. Travelers getting off cheap flights to Sao Paulo can also take a train directly from the airport to Liberdade. Take the blue line train to Liberdade Station and you will find yourself in the heart of the Japanese District.

A Little History
In 1908, the first Japanese immigrants landed in Japan to work on coffee plantations. Eventually the capital of Brazil became a home to them. Today, more head over from Japan on last minute flights to see a little piece of home away from home. The Japanese District was given its name “Liberdade” in 1912.

In 1960 and 1970, Chinese and Korean immigrants made their way to Sao Paulo to take up residence in Liberdade. With frequent flights to Sao Paulo, more immigrants make their way over to the area each day, creating a mixture of Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Brazilian cultures.

Festivals of Liberdade
Liberdade Square and surrounding neighborhoods host several street festivals throughout the year. The two most popular festivals are Chinese New Year and Sendai TanabataMatsuri. The Sendai Tanabata is hosted every July to celebrate the legends of the people that created Liberdade and the culture behind it. With low airline prices, tourists from all over the world come to see this exciting festival that pairs the festivities of a traditional Brazilian carnival and Japanese history.

Attractions
Liberdade is the home to many Japanese shops, restaurants and even libraries. Frequent the shopping centers for goods shipped directly from Japan, Korea or China or get a taste of fusion cooking at its finest by visiting some of the many Japanese/Brazilian restaurants nearby. If you are in the mood for traditional Japanese cuisines, do not worry; there are plenty of restaurants serving up those traditional dishes. Tourists on cheap flights to Sao Paulo can also experience The Historical Museum of Japanese Immigration in Brazil, which showcases the history of how LIberdade started.