São Paulo’s Asiatown: A Little Piece of Japan Halfway Around the Globe

Imin ga tsukutta machi San Pauro Tōyōgai: Chikyū no hantaigawa no Nihon kindai (The Town Japanese Immigrants Built on the Other Side of the World: Bairro Oriental in São Paulo).

Facade of the Cine Niterói (from Colonia Geinoshi [History of Art and Entertainment in the Japanese Brazilian Colony])

The present-day Brazil Nihon Bunka Fukushi Kyōkai (Brazilian Society for Japanese Culture and Social Assistance).

The Japanese garden on Galvão Bueno Street in São Paulo’s Bairro Oriental.

Tanzaku upon which people write wishes during the Tanabata star festival.

Liberdade Square comes alive during the weekend Tōyōichi market days.

The São Paulo Chinese cultural center on Conselheiro Furtado Street.

The Chinese temple on Conselheiro Furtado Street.

Billboard for a ramen restaurant in Bairro Oriental.

Anime-influenced street art along Galvão Bueno Street.

On weekends, Liberdade Square attracts throngs of Japanese anime fans.

The facade of Liberdade’s Bradesco Bank resembles a Japanese castle.