Tour of Japan 2025: day 11
The last day of our Japan tour began like all the others: with a shared breakfast at the hotel, followed by loading the suitcases. One final glance at the lobby that had been our temporary home for the past days, and then onto the bus, heading to the Tokorozawa Civic Cultural Center in Saitama.
The hall quickly filled with activity. As the musicians unpacked their instruments and the first notes of warm-up sounded, there was a special energy in the air: the last time, the conclusion of an intensive and unforgettable journey. During rehearsal, Lahav surprised us with a heartfelt speech. He spoke about his “family,” as he called our orchestra, and emphasized how meaningful these days had been for him. Eelco Beinema (Cello) also addressed the orchestra and conductor, full of gratitude and pride for what we had accomplished together.
Shortly after, the doors opened and the hall filled with people. The buzz of arriving visitors gave way to focused silence as the first notes sounded. The concert with Bruce Liu felt like a fitting finale: one last collective breath, one final musical embrace with our Japanese audience.
After the last notes, the stage was cleared at lightning speed. Following the concert, we were once again surprised by the warmth of the Japanese audience. Outside the hall, lines of people waited to thank us for the music. Autographs were signed, kind words exchanged, and we were wished a safe journey. Even after we were already on the bus, fans kept waving us off, a touching and heartwarming sight that will stay with us for a long time.
Then it was truly time to say goodbye. With the suitcases already packed into the bus, we drove straight to the airport. Outside the hall and even along the way, people waved us farewell, thanking us, wishing us a safe trip, and showing their warmth until the very last moment.
On the plane, sixteen hours above the ocean, there was time to let everything sink in: the concerts, the encounters, the unforgettable energy of Japan. Tired but fulfilled, we landed back in Rotterdam, where summer and our loved ones were waiting for us.
Japan 2025 was a tour never to forget, a chapter we close with gratitude, and whose memories will resonate for a long time to come.
Text: Maxime de Bruin.
