Agoda Springs into Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival

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Agoda.com has secured special rates for travelers heading to Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival 2010.

Agoda.com, Asia's Global Hotel Site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline.com, has secured special rates for travelers heading to Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival.

Sakura – the delicate pink flowers of the cherry blossom tree – appear just once a year in early spring and stay in bloom for only a week. Hanami, the long-standing Japanese tradition of observing this beautiful natural phenomenon, remains as popular today as it was when the custom first began in the late sixth century.

Sakura trees come into bloom in Japan's south in late March, with the last of the blossoms falling from Hokkaido's trees at the end of May. Sakura are deeply interwoven into Japanese culture, their image appearing on kimonos, in countless woodblock prints and on the 100 yen coin. The cherry blossoms’ fleeting duration has strong connections with Buddhist concepts of mortality and the transience of life, giving the trees an even deeper spiritual and cultural significance.

There are several key locations across Japan where the cherry blossoms are best viewed and where 'hanami parties' take place. Tokyo's Ueno Park has more than a thousand sakura trees which are festooned with blossoms each year, drawing thousands of locals who reserve the best viewing spots and celebrate the event with sake and special foods.

Kyoto also has fantastic hanami spots. The banks of the Kamogawa River are lined with sakura trees, while Daigoji Temple and the Hirano Shrine provide more reverent venues to appreciate the blossoms' beauty. In Osaka, crowds gather at Osaka Castle where 4,000 sakura trees bloom along the ramparts, giving the appearance of a castle afloat on a bed of pink clouds.

Thanks to Agoda's discount rates on hotel rooms throughout Japan, travelers from around the world have a choice of prime locations to experience the Cherry Blossom Festival across Japan, enjoying great savings at the same time. For the best deals on hotels in Japan this Sakura season, check out the special offers below.

Kyoto:

Hotel Sunroute Kyoto – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/kyoto/hotel_sunrou...
Book a Corner, Semi Double or Standard Twin Room for three nights from USD 81 per night. Normal rate: USD 101. Valid from March 22.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto – 5 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/kyoto/hotel_granvi...
Book any room type for 3 nights from USD 168 per night. Normal rate: USD 224.

Asakasa:

Chisun Grand Akasaka – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/tokyo/chisun_grand...
Book a Superior Double or a Superior Single Room for 3 nights minimum from USD 109 per night. Normal rate: USD 136.

Chisun Inn Asakusa – 2 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/tokyo/chisun_inn_a...
Book a Single or Double Room for 3 nights minimum from USD 101 per night. Normal rate: USD 81.

Tokyo:

Chisun Hotel Ueno – 2 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/tokyo/chisun_hotel...
Book a Double, Semi Double or Single room for 3 nights minimum from USD 94 per night. Normal rate: USD 123.

Osaka:

Chisun Hotel Shinsaibashi – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/osaka/chisun_hotel...
Book a Single, Double or Twin room for 3 nights minimum from USD 56 per night. Normal rate: USD 70.

Chisun Inn Osaka Honmachi – 3 Stars
http://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/osaka/chisun_inn_o...
Book a Single, Double or Twin room for 3 nights minimum from USD 56 per night. Normal rate: USD 70.

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Notes for Editors

About Agoda Company Pte Ltd:

Agoda Company Pte Ltd (Agoda.com) is a leading, Asia-based, online hotel reservations company, which specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices. Agoda.com is part of Priceline.com (Nasdaq:PCLN). Agoda's network includes over 10,000 hotels in Asia-Pacific and more than 100,000 worldwide. The multinational staff of 350 professionals, located throughout Asia, provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

In addition, Agoda customers participate in the Agoda Rewards Program, earning further discounts and free stays. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single chain, the Agoda Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at thousands of hotels around the globe, at any time. A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda's aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people.