Hisa Tabi HisaTabi

Sao Paulo

Created: 08/2025
Updated: 08/2025

São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city, where historic neighborhoods blend seamlessly with modern skyscrapers.

Since my time there was limited, I was only able to visit a few major spots...

Many areas in São Paulo still carry the spirit of its rich history.
However, some of these neighborhoods require a bit of caution.
In fact, while using my phone in public, a few locals even warned me to be careful...

I also found that the cost of living in São Paulo felt surprisingly high.

Sightseeing Spot

Mercado Municipal Paulistano

If you want to fully experience the charm of Brazilian cuisine, the São Paulo Municipal Market is the place to be.

Inside the market, you’ll find not only fresh ingredients but also numerous food stalls where local chefs showcase their skills, serving up freshly prepared dishes.

The São Paulo Municipal Market is a fantastic spot to get up close with Brazil’s culinary culture.
Don’t miss the chance to discover ingredients rarely seen in Japan and savor authentic Brazilian flavors!

Catedral Metropolitana da Sé

If you're visiting São Paulo, be sure to stop by the Metropolitan Cathedral.

This beautiful cathedral is located in the city's historic downtown and enchants visitors with its rich history and architectural elegance.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is a grand structure that blends Gothic and Neo-Gothic styles.
Its imposing façade, soaring spires, and stunning stained glass windows are truly a sight to behold!

Theatro Municipal

The São Paulo Municipal Theater hosts a wide variety of performances, including opera, ballet, and concerts.
I've heard the interior is also full of fascinating sights.

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to explore inside...

Next time I visit, I definitely want to make time to take a closer look at the interior.

The Others

Just for reference, I've included a few photos of São Paulo's cityscape.

Restaurant

Bolinha

If you want to enjoy feijoada, one of Brazil’s most iconic dishes, I recommend “Bolinha.”

The feijoada I had there was a rich and hearty stew, with pork slowly simmered to perfection.
It tastes even better when paired with rice and cassava flour.
(The staff kindly explained the best way to enjoy feijoada, which made the experience even more special.)

That said, the prices felt a bit steep—perhaps because it's geared toward tourists.
Still, the flavor is absolutely worth trying at least once.

If you're curious about bold flavors and unique textures, be sure to stop by and give it a try!

A Casa do Porco Bar

A Casa do Porco Bar is a paradise for pork lovers.
You can indulge in a wide variety of pork dishes to your heart's content.

I went for the tasting menu, which lets you sample small portions of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

It’s a great way to experience the full range of pork flavors, but if you already have a specific dish in mind, ordering à la carte might be more satisfying.

Fogo de Chão

I visited “Fogo de Chão,” a well-known place to enjoy Brazil’s signature dish, churrasco.

The restaurant offers a generous salad bar with a vibrant selection of vegetables and appetizers, so you can start your meal by filling up here.
The interior is stylish and has a distinctly upscale atmosphere.

These days, you can find churrasco in Japan if you look for it, so the teppan-grilled style I had in Rio felt fresher and more unique as an experience.
It left a stronger impression on me.