Japan's Princess Kako of Akishino began her official visit to Brazil on Thursday as part of celebrations marking the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The visit takes place during what is being commemorated as the “Year of Friendship Exchange between Brazil and Japan”.

In Sao Paulo, Kako visited the Japanese Pavilion in Ibirapuera Park, where she participated in a series of activities.

Accompanied by Jose Taniguchi, President of the Association of Japanese Prefectures in Brazil, she paid her respects at the Monument in Honor of the Pioneers of Japanese Immigration, planted and watered a cherry blossom tree, toured the Japanese Pavilion, and fed koi fish.

Kako is also scheduled to visit the Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture and Social Assistance in the Liberdade district and is expected to meet with São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes.

The last visit by a member of the Japanese imperial family to Brazil took place in 2018, when Princess Mako, Kako’s older sister, came to mark the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the country.

In an 11-day tour Princess Kako will also visit Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, Campo Grande, several cities in the state of Parana, and Brasilia, where she is scheduled to meet government officials, as well as attend events with the Japanese-Brazilian community, the largest outside Japan.

AP video shot by Felip Campos Mello