TOKYO -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --

The total amount used on UnionPay cards by tourists visiting Japan broke above 15.0 billion yen in September 2013.

To commemorate this occasion, UnionPay International has launched a UnionPay Hotel Campaign (http://www.shopping-guide.co.jp/) with a special feature that offers a 1,000-yen discount to those who use the UnionPay card to pay for accommodations (minimum total of 10,000 yen) at any of the approximately 100 tie-up hotels around the country.

While cold weather swept through the country this winter, the cherry blossom viewing season will arrive, starting with cherry blossoms in full bloom around the end of March in western Japan and Kanto. The forecast for cherry blossoms this year is for a full bloom in Kyushu and areas that cover the southern section of Kanto at the end of March, in the northern area of Kanto and the Hokuriku region in early April, in Tohoku in early to late April and in Hokkaido around the time of Golden Week.

*The timing of the cherry-blossom viewing season may vary depending on weather conditions.

Information on cherry blossom viewing around the country

Around late March

• Nijo Castle (Kyoto)

Nijo Castle is where the light cherry pink of the cherry trees add grace to the white walls of the castle. A total of around 400 cherry trees of around 50 types cover the entire grounds.
Address: 541 Nijojocho, Horikawa-nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

• Sumida Park (Tokyo)

The 335 cherry trees that run along about 1 kilometers of the Sumida River form a tunnel of flowers. We recommend viewing the cherry trees that grow on a promenade that runs along the Sumida River bank from the cherry bridge that crosses Sumida River.
Address: 1-chome, 2-chome and 5-chome in Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

• Ueno Onshi Park (Tokyo)

The expansive park that spans around 350,000 square meters has been known as a popular site for cherry blossom viewing from the olden times.
Address: Ueno Park, 5-20 Taito-ku

Early to mid April

• Takasaki Joshi Park (Gunma)

Around 300 Prunus yedoensis cherry trees that line the inside of the moat at Takasaki Joshi Park attracts throngs of people for night viewing when the trees are lit up.
Address: Takamatsucho, Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture

• Kenroku-en (Ishikawa)

This garden, which is representative of the Edo period, spans around 110,000 square meters. It is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens and has been designated as a National Site of Special Scenic Beauty.
Address: Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Mid-April

• Hirosaki Park (Aomori)

The castle was built in 1611 (year 16 of the Keichou period). The original sections, including a tower, has been preserved, with the tower, a turret and gates designated as important cultural property.
Address: 1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan

Early to mid-May

• Maruyama Park (Hokkaido)

This is a nature park in Chuo-ku in Sapporro, Hokkaido. It is located on the northern side of the Maruyama primeval forest and contains a zoo, a baseball field, a track-and-field stadium, tennis courts and a park for children, and is popular among the city’s residents as a place for relaxation.
Address: 3 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

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