São Paulo is the city with the largest Japanese colony outside Japan in the world, with around 1.8 million Japanese’s or descendents. This people influence in the Brazilian culture formation in the 20th century is highly important.
Due to that, the Japanese government has chosen Brazil to open the first Japan House worldwide. Created by famous Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the institution is dedicated to show the best of Japan in the 21th century. The next houses to be inaugurated will be in London and in Los Angeles.
Located in one of the busiest corners of the most famous avenue, Paulista Avenue, it invites the public to a unique experience of contemporary Japan’s culture, technology and ways of life.
The house promotes, in its three floors, exhibitions, seminars, workshops and other activities, bringing to Brazil the most relevant Japanese creators and entrepreneurs of today in arts, design, fashion, gastronomy, science and technology. The space counts on a restaurant by renowned chef Jun Sakamoto, a store with high quality Japanese products, a library and a coffee shop.
Imi Café
The coffee shop is located on the first floor. The name is homage to immigrants who came in 1908 to work in coffee plantations, contributing to the Brazilian coffee boom in the beginning of last century.
The owner, Heloisa Minori Nagai, while visiting Japan as tourist, was highly impressed by the number of coffee shops there and their sophistication.
In her return to Brazil, she started searching and found out the special coffees. She then hired a consultancy to create her own blend, with Mitsuo Nakao grains especially to the coffee shop. The most successful preparation method in the house is Hario V60, but one can also appreciate a good espresso or ice coffee.
Imi baristas insist on explaining to customers how the Japanese preparation method works, little known in Brazil and by the large public, but which has been making a lot of success. The customer can also opt for the famous teas and typical Japanese sweets, like matcha special cake, ichigô short cake and choux cream.
Japan House
Avenida Paulista, 52 – Bela Vista, São Paulo
Japanhouse.com.br
Open from 10 am to 10 pm, from Tuesday to Saturday; it closes at 6 pm on Sundays.
Closed on Mondays.
