Hi Christine! It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve carefully curated for your trip to Japan. In every aspect of your tour, your goals and desires are our priority, ensuring a travel experience that is as personalized as it is seamless. From our industry-leading protection plans and guaranteed rates that safeguard against the unexpected, to the unrivaled expertise of our tour managers who bring every destination to life, every detail is thoughtfully considered. What truly sets your experience apart are our dynamic venues, handpicked for their ability to enchant and engage, complete with guaranteed audiences to elevate every performance. This unique blend of meticulous planning, exclusive access, and comprehensive support ensures that your performance tour transcends the ordinary, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Welcome to Encore Tours, where your dream tour awaits. Visit Your TripSite 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 All participants are covered at no extra cost by our Basic Protection Plan covering health insurance overseas and trip cancellation/interruption in case of illness. Participants also have the option to upgrade to our Ultimate or Ultimate Plus plans, which include the ability to cancel for any reason up to four days before departure and still receive a full refund. Additionally, all Encore participants travel with an automatic $15,000 health protection plan. 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. 2025 Domestic Fundraiser Info Sheet 2025 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 fuel surcharges Accommodations at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels Rooming in dual/twins 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 Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers Arrangements for three concert performance opportunities Bullet train TYO – HIR, HIR – KYO 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 Vox Headsets Important Notes: For Japan, the hotels are quite small and quad/triple rooms are extremely limited. I’ve therefore priced on twins. If the group ends up with an odd number of boys or girls, we’ll try to get one or two triple rooms, but it may be that the odd student will need to be in a single room (depending on hotel availability). Dietary restrictions in Japan need to be submitted earlier than in most other destinations (ideally by 60 days prior to departure and at least 30 days). Luggage on the bullet-train is very limited (most American suitcases do not fit) so our standard when arranging trips like this is to have the bigger luggage pieces transported by luggage truck. On Day 5, the group will need to bring a small overnight bag with them to Hiroshima (and their larger luggage will be transferred to their hotel in Kyoto directly) Maximum amount of passengers we can have on 1 bus in Japan is 45 (including Group Leaders + Tour Managers, so I’ve only priced on one bus below. If you want to keep the costs down, perhaps we should cap the group at 45 passengers. What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Any meals not listed in your itinerary Programs for the concerts Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights Pricing Options TravelersPriceFree Spots30$6,179235$6,139240$5,9792 Payment Deadlines DateAmountJune 15$200September 15$1,000December15$1,000February 15, 2025Balance Due Sample Venues Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Band Choir Orchestra Exchange Concert: Toyko Tokyo Taking part in an exchange concert with a local choir in Tokyo offers enriching cultural and educational benefits. Participants from your ensemble will collaborate with a local school, deepening their understanding of Japanese musical traditions and practices while sharing their own. This interaction enhances musical skills, broadens cultural perspectives, and fosters lasting friendships among young musicians. Band Choir Orchestra Community Outreach Concert: Hiroshima Hiroshima This outreach performance, focusing on the resilience and spirit of Hiroshima, offers a remarkable chance to connect with the local community. With potential involvement from survivors and their families, this could be an opportunity to utilize local artistic expressions such as traditional Japanese music, dance, and contemporary theater to delve into themes of peace, remembrance, and hope. Band Choir Orchestra Wakayama Hall Wakayama Wakayama Hall is a large Philharmonic hall in Wakayama, Japan. This venue is newly renovated, has a large seating capacity, is a great location for our Japan-bound groups to perform! 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. Far East Village Hotel Ariake Tokyo Located in Tokyo’s serene Ariake Bay Area, this 4-star property is close to Tokyo Big Sight and various sports venues like Ariake Tennis Park and Ariake Arena. It’s also convenient for cultural outings with nearby attractions like TeamLab Planets and the Edo-Tokyo Museum. With easy access to Toyosu Market, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, and the fashionable Ginza district, it offers a perfect blend of tourist hotspots and local flavor. Learn More Hotel Keihan Universal Tower Osaka Hotel Keihan Universal Tower in Konohana is a favorite for its blend of comfort, convenience, and value. It offers well-appointed rooms with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and air conditioning, plus free WiFi. The hotel provides 24-hour front desk support, concierge services, and amenities including a hot tub and breakfast options. For guests with cars, paid private parking is available. Nearby, you can explore local dining options as well as attractions like the Osaka City Sewerage Science Museum. Learn More HOTEL MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park Hiroshima Situated near the bridge leading to the Peace Memorial Park, this sophisticated accommodation is ideally located for both business and leisure in the heart of Hiroshima. Easily accessible by public transport, it’s a brief journey from Hiroshima Airport and within walking distance of major attractions, including the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Castle. The hotel offers spacious rooms with views of the city or park, especially picturesque during cherry blossom season. Nearby shopping areas and the opportunity to try local delicacies like Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki enhance the experience. For a day trip, the mystical Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima is just a short journey away. Learn More Have any additional questions? Reach out to your program manager directly, or contact us for any assistance. Contact Us