Liberdade

Ano Novo Chinês. Foto: Divulgação.

The tour starts just before Liberdade on subway station Sé, on Praça João Mendes , ( # 108 ) to visit the Paróquia de Nossa Senhora da Assunção e São Paulo e Paróquia Pessoal Nipo – brasilieira de São Gonçalo , building from the eighteenth century that become historical heritage in 1971 by CONDEPHAAT . With masses prayed in Japanese , on Sundays , in the morning, it has its origin connected to the Irmandade Nossa Senhora da Conceição e São Gonçalo , who died preaching the Gospel in Japan in 1597.

Just outside the church , get to know one of the oldest bakeries in the city , the Santa Tereza (No. 150 ) , since 1872 with a diversified menu, served in the two floors of the building . Continue straight and turn right, you will see the neighborhood of Liberdade , one of the most popular postcards of the city , which has the most varied dining options , shopping and culture , in addition to inspired architecture in the Eastern tradition.

Bairro da Liberdade. Foto: José Cordeiro/SPTuris.

A major focus of the tour is the Praça da Liberdade, the scene of many celebrations throughout the year , such as Chinese New Year , Hanamatsuri , Tanabata Matsuri , among others, and Feirinha of Liberty, with several souvenirs, Nipponese and Brazilian foods on weekends. The square also has access to subway station Liberdade and it is surrounded by stores, restaurants and the Holy Church Cruz das Almas of the Hanged ( number 238 ) , simple construction from the second half of the nineteenth century that remains to this day a place where the faithful place their candles.

Continue on Rua dos Estudantes, a place that once housed the old pensions of students from Largo San Francisco and today offers various housewares stores. Take the opportunity to taste sweets, breads, pastries along the way and also see the Capela dos Aflitos, at the end of the Beco dos Aflitos, place of the extinct Cemitérios dos Aflitos, who ceased performing burials with the inauguration of the Cemitério da Consolação.

Return to the Galvão Bueno Street , a place with the highest concentration of various stores selling cosmetics , home products and grocery mainly with oriental products , graced by tori , large red porch and the Japanese lanterns . The entire neighborhood offers several restaurants with typical cuisine , karaoke , also highlighting the Tomás Gonzaga, small street between Av. Liberdade and Galvão Bueno Street and Glory Street.

Continue along Rua Galvão Bueno around the corner to the San Joaquin Street to visit the Japanese Immigration History Museum ( No. 381 ) , located on the top floors of the building Bunkyo, Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture and know the model of the Kasato – Maru , who brought the first Japanese immigrants to the port of Santos, in 1908 , as well as documents and Photos of this arrival in Brazil ( check Working Hours).

Down the street from the museum is the Buddhist Temple Busshinji ( No. 285 ) , registered office of the Soto Zen Buddhism in South America and Temple of the Buddha Heart- Mind, with a specific agenda for the practice of meditation , even for beginners and visits to the temple on request and pre-scheduled . Is it to eat hashi, buy a souvenir of oriental inspiration , sing in karaoke or just know a little more of the peculiarities of this district, Liberdade will always have something new , a typical party and its decorated and illuminated streets to receive you.