Dear Christine, Jonathan, Cory , I’m delighted to introduce our proposal for the Japan tour! As always your travel experience is completely personalized to meet your musical goals and travel desires; our service will be utterly seamless, and your peace of mind totally assured thanks to our guaranteed prices without surcharge or supplement and our industry-leading protection plans. And what truly sets your Encore experience apart from any other? Maybe it’s our spectacular venues, handpicked for their ability to enchant and engage, coupled with guaranteed audiences to elevate every performance. Or our world-leading tour managers who bring every destination to life and handle the tiniest detail. Of course it could also be our meticulous planning, personal attention and comprehensive support before, during and after your tour! Whatever you need, an Encore tour transcends the ordinary and gives you a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Let Encore Tours make your dream performance tour a reality! Let’s talk soon!Julian 617 958 9501 View your tripsite for Japan here Traveler Resources Your Encore Benefits Guaranteed Land Rates We do not raise our prices based on currency fluctuations in the marketplace. This alleviates any unwelcome currency surcharges during the planning period or immediately prior to travel. The Best Tour Managers Around Our Tour Managers are repeatedly evaluated and praised as being the best in educational travel, and they are available to you 24 hours per day. The tour manager stays in the same hotel as the group, and coordinates hotel check-ins, restaurant reservations, and concert venue availability and rehearsal time. These representatives also deliver the educational portion of the tour with detailed historical commentary during travel. Protection Plans for Everyone Peace of mind comes standard when you travel with Encore. Every traveler is automatically enrolled in our Basic Protection Plan, which includes medical coverage while on tour and limited trip interruption benefits—so you’re covered if the unexpected happens. For those who want even more flexibility and confidence in their plans, our Ultimate and Ultimate-Plus Protection Plans offer expanded medical coverage, greater trip interruption benefits, and the ability to cancel for any reason up to four days before departure and receive a full refund. Financial Security Encore Tours and our parent company, ACIS, carry a $50 million general liability insurance policy to protect our groups. In addition, as an Active Member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), we post a $1 million indemnity bond as part of USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program. Tour Fundraiser Register 30 or more participants with Encore Tours and we will award your group a FREE weekend getaway for two to Paris or London over Veteran’s Day Weekend or Martin Luther King Day Weekend. We have had ensembles raise over $20,000 using this gift as a raffle prize. Domestic Fundraiser Info Sheet International Fundraiser Info Sheet Prelude Join Encore staff for our annual Prelude event, a free professional development weekend for ensemble directors and a guest that takes place in a different musically rich international destination. “Incredible! I cherished every moment. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Such experiences would have been impossible on my own. Being pampered in this manner and witnessing the professionalism and luxury that Encore embodies was an absolute delight.” – 2024 Prelude attendee Online Billing We are excited to offer the choice of group billing or direct billing and will gladly work with your preference. With group billing you will receive an invoice with each participant’s balance and payment due prior to the due date. If you decide to enroll your group in direct billing Encore will mail invoices to each participant for all payments due. Accounts can also be accessed 24 hours a day on our website and payments can be made online with MasterCard and Visa for no additional cost. This is the suggested payment plan, however you can adjust it according to the group’s needs. Automatic Payments Plan Encore offers an auto-pay option for all participants signed up for individual billing. Enrollment in the plan is free and funds are withdrawn from the participant’s checking account on a regular basis, with the last payment being processed 45 days prior to departure. 24-7 Overseas Coverage Encore has offices overseas in the event of an emergency. In addition, US staff are always available to ensure you are receiving a quality travel experience, before, during and after your concert tour. All land arrangements including concert bookings and promotion are provided directly by Encore’s affiliate offices, offering the highest quality services and the very best value to our clients. Graduate Level Credits Enhance your professional development! Directors and participants have the opportunity to earn graduate-level credits through their tour experience and participation in our Prelude events. These educational opportunities not only enrich your tour but also contribute to your lifelong learning and professional growth. Tour Inclusions Roundtrip airfare Airport and airline taxes, and current airline fuel surcharges Accommodations at conveniently located 4-star hotels 4 nights in Tokyo 3 nights in Osaka Rooming in twin room occupancy Breakfast daily Lunches and dinners as indicated on itinerary All sightseeing, entrances and upgraded meals as per itinerary Taiko Drumming Tea Ceremony Sushi workshop Temple visits Bullet train Tokyo – Osaka / luggage transportation separately 1 Jazz club entry up to JPY5,000 Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches and drivers Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program (1 per bus) Basic gratuities for the tour managers and bus/truck drivers Arrangements for 3 performances Rental of a drumkit for 3 performances All concert arrangements include venue rental and allocation, all necessary concert permits, all pre-concert advertisement, and on-site concert assistance Pre-concert rehearsal time, where possible What’s Not Included? Extra baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Specific seat assignments/allocations on flights Instrument and sheet music stands Any meals not listed in your itinerary Printed programs for the concerts Instrument hire. Example prices for e.g backline, keyboard, amplification on receipt of a specification Pricing Options # of payingPrice perperson(inc air)Price perPerson(no air)Free Spots# of buses/Tourmgrs80$6,099$3,5993290$6,699$4,19933100$6,599$4,09933 Based on “Land and Air” out of LAX accommodating the group in twin or triple rooms (triple rooms are extremely limited in Japan) Payment Deadlines DateAmountJul 31, 2027$200Sep 30, 2027$1,000Oct 31, 2027$1,000Nov 30, 2027$1,000Dec 31, 2027$1,000Feb 6, 2027Balance due Provisional suggestion only, subject to further discussion Sample Performance Venues Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Band Choir Orchestra SHOBI College of Music Tokyo Located in Tokyo’s central Bunkyo district, SHOBI College of Music provides a professional setting for concerts, rehearsals, workshops and musical exchanges. Its principal performance venue, SHOBI Vario Hall, accommodates up to 346 guests and features flexible staging and acoustics designed for a variety of musical and theatrical performances. The campus also includes a 200-capacity live music studio, recording facilities, ensemble rehearsal spaces and specialized practice rooms. With its extensive musical resources and convenient Tokyo location, SHOBI offers visiting ensembles an engaging opportunity to perform and connect with students in a contemporary conservatory environment. Band Orchestra Ota Kumin Hall Tokyo Located in Tokyo’s Ota ward near Kamata Station, Ota Kumin Hall, officially known as Ota City Residents Hall Aprico, is a modern cultural venue that hosts jazz festivals, orchestral concerts and other large-scale performances. Its wood-lined main auditorium seats 1,477 guests and features a spacious stage, orchestra pit and movable acoustic reflector designed to project live sound throughout the hall. The complex also includes a smaller performance hall, studios and exhibition facilities. Just a three-minute walk from JR Kamata Station and conveniently situated for access to Haneda Airport, Aprico provides visiting ensembles with a professional and accessible setting for performance in Tokyo. Band Choir Orchestra Osaka College of Music Osaka Located in Toyonaka, just north of central Osaka, Osaka College of Music offers visiting ensembles a professional setting dedicated entirely to musical study and performance. Its campus includes The College Opera House, a fully equipped theatre with seating for up to 756 guests, as well as Millennium Hall for chamber concerts, large rehearsal rooms for orchestras and wind bands, and more than 160 individual practice rooms. The college is approximately a 700-meter walk from Shonai Station, about 10 minutes by train from central Osaka, making it an accessible and inspiring location for concerts, rehearsals and musical exchange. Sample Hotels Traveling on a performance trip is a moving experience, and our goal is to ensure that all travelers have a life-changing experience. We also know that time is money, and comfort is essential. That’s why, when you’re touring with Encore, you will always stay in well-located, three- or four-star hotels—right in the heart of the destination you came to see. Hotel Metropolitan Oimachi Tracks Tokyo Tokyo Directly connected to Oimachi Station in Tokyo’s Shinagawa district, Hotel Metropolitan Oimachi Tracks Tokyo offers modern accommodations with excellent transportation links throughout the city. The hotel’s 285 guest rooms feature contemporary interiors inspired by a tranquil forest retreat, incorporating warm wood and soft green tones. Amenities include a fitness center, the Tailor Yard main dining restaurant and the Travelers House rooftop bar. With three rail lines serving Oimachi Station, guests can travel directly to major districts such as Shibuya and Shinjuku, while Shinagawa Station, Tokyo Station and Haneda Airport are all accessible within approximately 30 minutes, making the hotel a comfortable and convenient base for exploring Tokyo. Learn More Citadines Namba Osaka Osaka Set within the beautifully restored Takashimaya East Annex, an Important Cultural Property of Japan, Citadines Namba Osaka combines historic architecture with modern accommodations in the lively Namba district. The property offers spacious rooms and serviced apartments, including studios and multi-bedroom units, with amenities such as kitchen facilities, a residents’ lounge, fitness area, restaurant and self-service laundry. Namba and Nipponbashi stations are within walking distance, while Kuromon Market, Dotonbori and the district’s many shops, restaurants and entertainment venues are also nearby. Its comfortable accommodations and convenient location make it an excellent base for groups exploring Osaka. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us