Band Tours
Professional Tour Management in Japan
You bring the music. We handle venues, logistics, backline, and everything between the airport and the stage.
Touring Japan as a foreign band is not like touring anywhere else. The norma system, the language barrier, the routing, the gear rental — it's a different world. We've managed tours for bands across metal, hardcore, punk, and noise. We know the venues, the promoters, and how to make it work without draining your budget.
Venue Booking & Contracts
We negotiate directly with Japanese live houses in Japanese. Handle the norma system, work out sound and backline, and confirm slots that match your band's draw and genre. No cold-emailing venues that will never reply to English.
Logistics & Itinerary
Routing between cities. Train schedules. Gear transport. Accommodation near venues. We build your itinerary to minimize dead time and maximize shows. We've done this for bands from the US, UK, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
On-Ground Management
We're at the venue with you. Handling load-in, sound check, merch, settlement, and the after-show logistics. When something goes sideways (and it will), we fix it in real time because we speak the language and know the people.
Sample Budget
4-person band, 6 gigs, 14 days. Tokyo + Osaka + Nagoya. Costs vary by venue, season, and routing.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Venue rental & norma (6 shows) | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| Backline rental (14 days) | $600 – $1,200 |
| Internal transport (trains + gear) | $800 – $1,400 |
| Accommodation (14 nights, 4 ppl) | $1,400 – $2,800 |
| Flyer printing & promotion | $200 – $400 |
| Management fee | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Estimated total | $6,300 – $11,300 |
What You Need to Know
- NormaMost Japanese live houses operate on a norma system. You guarantee a minimum ticket count (usually 20–30). If you don't hit it, you cover the difference. We help you understand this before you commit.
- BacklineStandard Japanese backline: Marshall JCM800 or JCM900, Ampeg SVT, Pearl or Tama kit. Rental is usually per-show or per-week. We arrange this in advance and confirm specs.
- MerchYou can sell merch at Japanese live houses. Typical venue cut is 0–10%. Bring vinyl extras — Japanese audiences buy merch. Cash and PayPay are standard.
- VisasShort tours (under 90 days) from most Western countries don't require a work visa if you're not getting paid by a Japanese entity. We can advise but are not lawyers. Check with your embassy.
- TimelineBook 3–6 months ahead. Japanese venues schedule far in advance. If you're planning a tour, reach out early. Last-minute tours are possible but limiting.
Contact Us About Your Band's Tour
Send us your dates, your routing ideas, and your budget range. We'll tell you what's realistic and start working venues.
Get in Touch