La Colmena

La Colmena ("The Beehive") is a small town in eastern Paraguarí department, founded by Japanese immigrants in the 1930s. It retains a distinct Japanese-Paraguayan cultural heritage, visible in the local architecture, agriculture (particularly horticulture and soybean farming), and community events. The town is quiet and orderly, with a small Japanese garden and a cultural centre. The climate is subtropical; best visited May–September.

By Plane

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) is about 100 km northwest.

By Train

No passenger rail.

By Car / Road

La Colmena is about 60 km east of Paraguarí (1.5 hr) via secondary roads. Buses from Asunción and Paraguarí run a few times daily.

Walkable.

• Jardín Japonés – A small Japanese-style garden with a pond and bridges.

• Japanese Cultural Centre – Exhibits on the immigrant history.

• Horticultural farms – Fields of vegetables and flowers cultivated by descendants of the founders.

• Cultural tour – Learn about the Japanese immigrant story in Paraguay.

• Farm visit – Some farms welcome visitors interested in the agricultural methods.

• Comedor La Colmena – Japanese-Paraguayan fusion meals, GS.15,000–30,000.

Green tea and tereré.

• Budget: Basic hospedaje, GS.40,000.

Fresh vegetables and flowers.

• Caballero (20 km southwest) – Rural settlement.
• Paraguarí (60 km west) – Department capital.
• Quyquyho (20 km east) – Rural settlement.