California Youth Symphony – Companion Tour to Japan

Dear Leo and Kiri,

I’m so delighted to be able to introduce your CYS companions to the amazing destination that is Japan and to guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve designed for your performance tour.

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! Being permanently based in Europe gives me a unique perspective on the destination, and there’s no substitute for having experienced it personally!

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


Your Encore Benefits

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 fuel surcharges
  • 8 nights accommodation at conveniently located 4-star hotels
  • Rooming in twin room occupancy.
  • Breakfast daily and selected lunches or dinners as per your itinerary
  • All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary
  • Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver
  • Roundtrip rail tickets Osaka-Okayama-Kurashiki- Osaka
  • Single rail ticket Osaka-Tokyo
  • Luggage truck for Osaka -Tokyo
  • Instrument truck and driver for your equipment throughout the tour
  • Services of a professional Tour Manager (1 per coach) throughout your program
  • Basic gratuities for the tour managers and bus drivers
  • Basic travel protection plan (see above)
Japan temple close up

What’s Not Included?

  • Addtional baggage Fees imposed by the airlines
  • Specific seat assignments/allocations on flights 
  • Instrument rental
  • Instrument and sheet music stands  
  • Any meals not listed in your itinerary 
  • Printed programs for the concerts 

Pricing Options

TravelersPrice inc AirfareFree Spots
20$5,4791
25$5,1991
30$5,0391
Price NO airfare:
20$3,779n/a
25$3,499n/a
30$3,339n/a

Based on “Land and Air” out of San Francisco or “Land only/NAF” option as shown, accommodating the group in twin rooms.

Payment Deadlines

DateAmount
March 31, 2025$200
April 30, 2025$1,000
June 30, 2025$1,000
October 31, 2025$1,000
December 31, 2025$1,000
February 11, 2026Balance due

Payment schedule as suggestion only, can be adjusted to suit.

Sample Venues

Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant.

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.

Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre – Midosuji

Osaka

Holiday Inn Express Osaka City is a modern four-star hotel offering a comfortable and convenient stay in one of Japan’s most dynamic cities. The hotel features well-appointed rooms with plush bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a functional design suited for both business and leisure travelers. Guests can start the day with a complimentary breakfast and take advantage of the 24-hour front desk service. Its central location provides easy access to major attractions such as Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Universal Studios Japan.

Hotel Monday Tokyo Nishikasai

Tokyo

Hotel Monday Tokyo Nishikasai offers a modern and comfortable stay in Tokyo’s Edogawa district. With well-equipped rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a relaxing ambiance, it provides a convenient base for exploring the city. Nishikasai Station is just a short walk away, offering easy access to central Tokyo and nearby attractions like Tokyo Disneyland. A mix of Japanese and Western breakfast options adds to the hotel’s appeal for every type of traveler.

Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance.

Customize Your Tour

Are you ready to take your ensemble to new places? Get a quote from one of our tour consultants who will help you customize a trip to meet your goals.

Get A Quote