photo by Chris Jones
Japan has diplomatic relations with many countries, especially and maybe surprisingly, with Brazil. As you know, Japan and Brazil are located opposite from each other on the globe. However, many Japanese people migrated to Brazil in the 19th century, and there still are a large number of Japanese Brazilians living there. Then, more than a hundred years later, during Japan’s high economic growth period, many Brazilian people migrated to Japan to work for Japanese companies, and established Brazilian communities across Japan.
Oizumi-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma
Oizumi-machi is where factories of major Japanese companies including SUBARU and Panasonic are located. These companies have started to actively employ foreign nationals to work in their factories since 80’s, and now, one in ten residents of this town is foreign national. Also, about half of the foreign residents are from Brazil or have Brazilian ancestry. This is why there are so many Brazilian restaurants and grocery shops in this town. In particular, there are many popular restaurants that serve genuine Brazilian cuisine at reasonable prices for both Japanese and Brazilian customers. Each restaurants serve different types of food such as typical Brazilian food like feijoada and churrasco, or Brazilian style hamburgers.
Access: Around JR Nishi-koizumi station
Hamamatsu Station, Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka
Not many people know, but Hamamatsu city has the largest population of Brazilian migrants in Japan. It is also an industrial city with factories of major manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki. Out of 800,000 of total population, 10,000 are Brazilian nationals. There is Brazilian consulate general in this city, just like Nagoya city. As you know, Brazilian athlete team stayed in this city for training during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games. There is a Brazilian supermarket right outside of the south exit of JR Hamamatsu station, selling popular Brazilian snacks, soft drinks, alcohol drinks and meat. Also, there are many restaurants that serve Brazilian food, and other places where you can experience Brazilian culture including jiu-jitsu and capoeira.
Access: Around JR Hamamatsu station
Homi Danchi, Toyota city, Aichi
Located in the northern part of Aichi prefecture, Toyota city has been developing along with Japan’s most famous company Toyota, and the city itself was named after the company. About 3000 Brazilian residents who work for Toyota factories live in this Homi Danchi. With many signs written in Portuguese everywhere, this place looks like a mixture of Japan and Brazil. You can find many Brazilian food culture including hamburger shops, Brazilian restaurants, a supermarket that sells Brazilian instant food, snacks, canned food, meat, deli food and even pack lunch.
Access: 5 minutes by bus to Homi Danchi from Homi station of Aichi Loop Line
9-ban Danchi, Nagoya city, Aichi
As you know, Nagoya city, where the Brazilian consulate general is located, has many Brazilian residents. Same as Homi Danchi in Toyota city, this 9-ban Danchi in Nagoya city is well-known as a Brazilian town. The size of area is a little smaller than Homi Danchi, but there is a Brazilian supermarket, diners, hair salon, cake shop, church and jiu-jitsu class which you don’t see very often in ordinary Japanese cities. Especially, the cake shop offers gorgeous artworks of icing decorations for special occasions, not just ordinary sweets, so it is fun just watching their cake from outside.
Access: 10-minute walk from Tokai-dori station of Meijō Line
Olá!
Most of Brazilian towns in Japan were established by migrants from Brazil who moved to Japan after the Japanese government eased restrictions on working visa conditions in 80’s. Therefore, such Brazilian communities tend to be in industrial areas where companies actively employ foreign workers. Also, they are rather new compared to China and Korean towns in Japan, therefore these Brazilian communities are integrated in existing towns and cities, rather than taking up one corner of the town or city. Unlike Asian countries which are geographically close to Japan, Brazil is located totally opposite from Japan. Why don’t you enjoy Brazilian culture, which is totally different from Japanese culture, in Brazilian town in Japan.
