Japan’s Princess Kako spent June 13 in Rio de Janeiro, the former capital and currently the second largest city of Brazil, where she is making an official visit.

In the morning, she stopped at Corcovado, a World Heritage site known for the statue of Jesus Christ.

After watching the cityscape of Rio and the Atlantic Ocean from an observation deck, she responded to questions from reporters.

S/ Princess Kako / Just now as I watched the morning sun shining on the vast ocean, I remembered the faces of the people I have met so far. I think the people I met in Brazil and the things that happened in Brazil will remain in my heart forever.

Kako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito and second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito, traveled to Brazil to coincide with the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil.

In another part of Rio, she visited a museum documenting Japanese immigration to Brazil.

The museum opened in 2018 to commemorate 110 years since Japanese people began settling in Brazil.

The princess was reminded of the hardships the early Japanese immigrants faced as she was told that it took them two hours to get from the area where they lived to the nearest hospital.

Kako later attended a welcome event organized by entities including a Nikkei group.

She watched a samba performance by third- and fourth-generation Japanese-Brazilian children.

Afterward, the princess praised them for their great smiles and steps.

When one of the performers got emotional and started crying, she gave the child a warm hug.

The following day, Kako was in Foz do Iguazu, her final destination in Brazil.

She was welcomed by a taiko drum performance by fourth-generation Japanese-Brazilian children.

Kako said she enjoyed the dynamic show.

The Japanese princess later spoke with Nikkei people living in the area.

They included a 98-year-old first-generation immigrant from Japan.

Nakamura Shime says she and her family moved to the Amazon River area more than 70 years ago.

The woman said she is filled with joy that the princess came all the way to Brazil.

S/ Princess Kako / How are you spending your days?

S/ Nakamura Shime / I am old, so I don't do anything. All I do is prepare lunch at home.

S/ Princess Kako / Oh lunch! What kind of lunch do you make?

S/ Nakamura Shime / I prefer Japanese food.

Foz do Iguazu in the southwest is the eighth location in Brazil where Kako has traveled to during her 11-day stay through June 15.

On the last day, she toured the Iguazu Falls.

She is scheduled to arrive back in Japan on June 17.