Rui Hachimura to Hold 'BLACK SAMURAI Toyama Homecoming' This Summer, Featuring Early Exclusive Use of the New 'YKK AP ARENA' Opening in October 2026

Professional basketball player Rui Hachimura announces that 'BLACK SAMURAI 2026,' designed based on his experiences on the world stage, will hold its final tour stop following Nagoya and Kobe this summer (August) in Toyama Prefecture. This will be Hachimura's first official homecoming event, 'BLACK SAMURAI Toyama Homecoming,' scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026. This event is Hachimura's first community co-creation project, created in partnership with Toyama Prefecture, Toyama City, local businesses, and the entire region. The theme is not just about returning to his 'roots' but about 'what he can leave behind for his hometown.' The main venue will be the 'YKK AP ARENA (Toyama City General Gymnasium),' the latest arena set to open in October 2026 as the new home of the Toyama Grouses. This venue will be used exclusively for this project ahead of its official opening. The event will not be confined to the arena; the entire area from Toyama Station to YKK AP ARENA will be decorated in a 'BLACK SAMURAI' theme for the day, creating a festival atmosphere that involves all of Toyama Prefecture. Three Key Features of 'BLACK SAMURAI Toyama Homecoming' 1. Rui Hachimura's First Official Homecoming Event. Theme: 'Giving Back to the Hometown' Hachimura will hold his first official hometown event of his professional career. The event is designed for the people of Toyama and children chasing their dreams to enjoy together. To interact with local kids, 200 elementary and junior high school students (boys and girls) will be invited to a free basketball clinic. 2. Held at the New 'YKK AP ARENA' Scheduled to Open in October 2026 This offers a one-day-only premium opportunity to experience the new arena, which will become a new hub for sports and culture in Toyama, ahead of its official opening. It presents a next-generation model for arena utilization where regional economy and sports intersect. 3. A Festival-Style Event That Transcends Sports, Involving All of Toyama and Showcasing Its Appeal Beyond the basketball event inside the arena, the outdoor area will feature attractions that allow visitors to experience Toyama's traditional events and culinary delights. Plans inspired by 'Owara Kaze no Bon' and 'Sanno Matsuri' are being prepared, aiming for a 'Homecoming' that unites the entire city beyond the boundaries of basketball. [In-Arena Program] Interaction and Experience with the People of Toyama *Paid Seating (Ticket Required) A special clinic will be held for approximately 200 elementary and junior high school basketball kids residing in Toyama Prefecture, led by Rui Hachimura and members of the Toyama Grouses (free invitation for participants). The focus is not on difficult technical instruction but on providing the 'pure joy of playing basketball with Rui Hachimura.' A talk event with Rui Hachimura, featuring conversations about his childhood in Toyama, his middle school days, and his journey to the NBA, centered on the theme of his 'roots.' There will also be a Q&A session for direct interaction with fans. Various other programs are planned, including a 'Special Program with the Toyama Grouses' and 'Audience Participation Projects' that can only be seen here. [Outdoor Program] BLACK SAMURAI Night Festival *Partially Designated Viewing Area (Paid Ticket) Outside the arena, exclusive content will be offered for visitors to enjoy, going beyond basketball alongside Toyama's traditional events. A large watchtower (yagura) will be set up in front of YKK AP ARENA for the 'BLACK SAMURAI Night Festival,' involving the entire area. In the afternoon, a 'DJ Bon Dance' will start, livening up the yagura. From evening to night, a stage featuring Toyama's world-renowned traditional folk song event, 'Owara Kaze no Bon,' will be realized. A collaborative stage with Rui Hachimura himself will bring the night to a climax with the people of Toyama. At the entrance of the arena, a limited-time food stall space modeled after 'Sanno Matsuri,' one of the most beloved grand festivals in Toyama City, will open. Dozens of stalls from within the prefecture that actually participate in Sanno Matsuri will gather, with some arranged in a BLACK SAMURAI design. Visitors can savor exquisite local gourmet food, festival-specific local cuisine, and culture with all five senses. [City-Wide Area] 'City Decoration' – The Entire Town Dressed in Event Colors The route from Toyama Station to YKK AP ARENA will be decorated in a BLACK SAMURAI theme. ■ Comment from the Promoter / Professional Basketball Player 'Toyama is a place with very deep memories for me. For this event, I want to create a day where all the citizens of Toyama Prefecture can gather together. I want it to be a day that goes beyond basketball, feels like a festival, and is enjoyable for everyone, including the people of Toyama Prefecture.' ■ Event Overview Event Name: BLACK SAMURAI Toyama Homecoming Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026 Venue: YKK AP ARENA (Toyama City General Gymnasium) Official Website: https://blacksamurai.jp/2026/toyama/ ■ (Reference) Joint Press Conference Scheduled for Thursday, June 4 To mark the start of this project, a joint press conference is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, featuring the Governor of Toyama Prefecture, the Mayor of Toyama City, Kitanihon Broadcasting Co., Ltd., and the BLACK SAMURAI producer. The focus will be on explaining the vision behind holding the event in Toyama. ■ Partners Organizer: 'BLACK SAMURAI Toyama Homecoming' Executive Committee (BLACK SAMURAI, Kitanihon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.) Sponsors: YKK AP Inc., AXS Japan LLC Arena: YKK AP ARENA Co-organizers: Toyama Prefecture, Toyama City Special Cooperation: Toyama Grouses ■ About BLACK SAMURAI 2026 'BLACK SAMURAI 2026' is a platform designed by Rui Hachimura to pass on the experiences, perspectives, and mindset he has gained on the world stage to the next generation, aiming to strengthen and evolve Japanese basketball.