Orchid nurseries
Japanese heritage.
Prefeitura de Guararema — CC0 · Prefeitura de Guararema — CC0 · Prefeitura de Guararema — CC0 · Prefeitura de Guararema — CC0 · Prefeitura de Guararema — CC0 · Prefeitura de Guararema — CC0 · Ana Carolina Sartelli from Brasil — CC BY-SA 2.0
Guararema is a small town of about 33,000 people on the Paraíba do Sul River, at the edge of Greater São Paulo between Mogi das Cruzes and São José dos Campos, known for its large orchid production. The area's history goes back to the sixteenth century, when Brás Cubas pushed inland in 1560 and gold was found, and villages under Mogi das Cruzes were set up in the early seventeenth century. The town grew on the riverbank, and its small centre keeps a quiet feel. The flower story began in the 1960s, when Japanese families bought land in the area now called Colônia Cerejeiras, first growing roses, then orchids and other flowers, until the town became one of the largest orchid producers. São Paulo visitors come at weekends to stroll along the river and visit the nurseries.
Japanese heritage.
A stroll.
A short break.
Guararema, Alto Tietê, São Paulo state
Japanese families who settled in the 1960s.