【Shiho Akita Retirement】'Arigato Tour' Kicks Off in Aichi on June 7
Former All Japan Tennis Champion Shiho Akita will hold her retirement commemorative 'Arigato Tour' starting June 7, 2026, in Aichi, sequentially across the country. Organized by Tennis Lounge, it offers a special opportunity for fans to interact and express gratitude.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 20:59
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Tennis Lounge Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture) will sequentially hold the retirement commemorative project 'Arigato Tour' by former All Japan Tennis Champion Shiho Akita, who retired from active play in March 2026, starting with Nishiharu, Aichi on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
This project was born from Akita-pro's idea of 'wanting to give back directly through tennis to those who have supported me.' Just three months after her retirement, it's a special opportunity to experience her active-era shots up close and to rally directly with her. Leveraging our strength of operating approximately 60 indoor schools nationwide, we provide a place where many people can enjoy interacting with a professional.
Shiho Akita, who retired at the end of March 2026. A special tour begins where you can experience her active-era play and smiles up close.
■ Three Highlights of the Event
High-fiving junior students and taking commemorative photos with parents and children from the family course during a surprise lesson.
1. Shiho Akita-pro's Bright and Fun Lesson 'Thanks Slot'
Akita-pro's careful demonstration. Ball feeding practice will be thoroughly conducted, so you can enjoy interacting with Akita-pro and receive advice.
2. 'Premium Slot' for Direct Rallies with the Pro
The premium slot, limited to 8 participants, provides time for participants to rally directly with Akita-pro. It's a valuable experience to receive the pro's powerful shots with your own racket.
3. Private Lesson Limited to One Group
This is a special slot where you can have Akita-pro exclusively for 60 minutes. In addition to one-on-one coaching, up to 4 people, including family and friends, can participate and enjoy their free time.
■ Project Manager's Thoughts / Message from the Pro
Interaction through tennis fosters community and physical and mental health in the region.
Yudai Fujita, Manager, Event Business Department, Tennis Lounge Co., Ltd.
'Akita-pro was the first professional athlete I worked with for an event. At that time, I was very anxious on the day of the event, but I clearly remember how the atmosphere in the venue instantly softened due to Akita-pro's brightness and her attitude towards the participants on the court. I am very happy to work with her again at this major milestone of her retirement. We hope to deliver smiles through tennis to everyone nationwide.'
Shiho Akita-pro
'This 'Arigato Tour' is a project I've wanted to materialize since my active career. I want it to be a time where we can truly enjoy ourselves while sharing the tennis experience and skills I've cultivated over 18 years. I've always been warmly welcomed by everyone at Tennis Lounge, no matter which branch I visited nationwide. I look forward to seeing everyone on the court on the day of the event.'
■ Event Overview
Name: Shiho Akita Retirement Commemorative 'Arigato Tour'
Sponsors: Gifu Tanmen BBC Co., Ltd., Yonex Co., Ltd.
【1st Session: Nishiharu, Aichi Venue】
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 17:00~ (Reception 16:30~)
Location: Tennis Lounge Nishiharu (37 Tokushige Dainichi, Kitanagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
Schedule:
・17:00~18:00 Thanks Slot
・18:15~19:45 Premium Slot
・20:00~21:00 Private Slot
【2nd Session: Tenpaku, Aichi Venue】
Date: Monday, June 8, 2026, 10:30~ (Reception 10:00~)
Location: Tennis Lounge Tenpaku (3-1020 Shimada, Tenpaku-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
Schedule:
・10:30~12:00 Premium Slot
・13:00~14:00 Thanks Slot
・14:15~15:15 Private Slot
Target Participants/Capacity (Common to both venues):
・Thanks Slot: 10 people
・Premium Slot: 8 people
・Private Slot: 1 group (1 to maximum 4 people)
*Eligible courses: Limited to tennis experienced players such as Slow, General, Family Adult, St (Junior/High School students).
Participation Fee (tax included):
・Thanks Slot: Tennis Lounge Members 3,900 yen / Visitors 4,900 yen
・Premium Slot: Tennis Lounge Members 6,600 yen / Visitors 7,700 yen
・Private Slot: Tennis Lounge Members 20,000 yen / Visitors 22,000 yen
Application Method: Accepted via dedicated application form
June 7 (Sun) Tennis Lounge Nishiharu https://tennislounge.com/nishiharu/news/1776
June 8 (Mon) Tennis Lounge Tenpaku https://tennislounge.com/tenpaku/akita_event/
*The event will be held indoors regardless of rain.
*Future Development: Scheduled to be held in the Kanto area in July. It will continue in September, October, and November within the year, with a final scheduled for December.
■Others
Akita Player Official Profile: https://shihoak
This project was born from Akita-pro's idea of 'wanting to give back directly through tennis to those who have supported me.' Just three months after her retirement, it's a special opportunity to experience her active-era shots up close and to rally directly with her. Leveraging our strength of operating approximately 60 indoor schools nationwide, we provide a place where many people can enjoy interacting with a professional.
Shiho Akita, who retired at the end of March 2026. A special tour begins where you can experience her active-era play and smiles up close.
■ Three Highlights of the Event
High-fiving junior students and taking commemorative photos with parents and children from the family course during a surprise lesson.
1. Shiho Akita-pro's Bright and Fun Lesson 'Thanks Slot'
Akita-pro's careful demonstration. Ball feeding practice will be thoroughly conducted, so you can enjoy interacting with Akita-pro and receive advice.
2. 'Premium Slot' for Direct Rallies with the Pro
The premium slot, limited to 8 participants, provides time for participants to rally directly with Akita-pro. It's a valuable experience to receive the pro's powerful shots with your own racket.
3. Private Lesson Limited to One Group
This is a special slot where you can have Akita-pro exclusively for 60 minutes. In addition to one-on-one coaching, up to 4 people, including family and friends, can participate and enjoy their free time.
■ Project Manager's Thoughts / Message from the Pro
Interaction through tennis fosters community and physical and mental health in the region.
Yudai Fujita, Manager, Event Business Department, Tennis Lounge Co., Ltd.
'Akita-pro was the first professional athlete I worked with for an event. At that time, I was very anxious on the day of the event, but I clearly remember how the atmosphere in the venue instantly softened due to Akita-pro's brightness and her attitude towards the participants on the court. I am very happy to work with her again at this major milestone of her retirement. We hope to deliver smiles through tennis to everyone nationwide.'
Shiho Akita-pro
'This 'Arigato Tour' is a project I've wanted to materialize since my active career. I want it to be a time where we can truly enjoy ourselves while sharing the tennis experience and skills I've cultivated over 18 years. I've always been warmly welcomed by everyone at Tennis Lounge, no matter which branch I visited nationwide. I look forward to seeing everyone on the court on the day of the event.'
■ Event Overview
Name: Shiho Akita Retirement Commemorative 'Arigato Tour'
Sponsors: Gifu Tanmen BBC Co., Ltd., Yonex Co., Ltd.
【1st Session: Nishiharu, Aichi Venue】
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 17:00~ (Reception 16:30~)
Location: Tennis Lounge Nishiharu (37 Tokushige Dainichi, Kitanagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
Schedule:
・17:00~18:00 Thanks Slot
・18:15~19:45 Premium Slot
・20:00~21:00 Private Slot
【2nd Session: Tenpaku, Aichi Venue】
Date: Monday, June 8, 2026, 10:30~ (Reception 10:00~)
Location: Tennis Lounge Tenpaku (3-1020 Shimada, Tenpaku-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
Schedule:
・10:30~12:00 Premium Slot
・13:00~14:00 Thanks Slot
・14:15~15:15 Private Slot
Target Participants/Capacity (Common to both venues):
・Thanks Slot: 10 people
・Premium Slot: 8 people
・Private Slot: 1 group (1 to maximum 4 people)
*Eligible courses: Limited to tennis experienced players such as Slow, General, Family Adult, St (Junior/High School students).
Participation Fee (tax included):
・Thanks Slot: Tennis Lounge Members 3,900 yen / Visitors 4,900 yen
・Premium Slot: Tennis Lounge Members 6,600 yen / Visitors 7,700 yen
・Private Slot: Tennis Lounge Members 20,000 yen / Visitors 22,000 yen
Application Method: Accepted via dedicated application form
June 7 (Sun) Tennis Lounge Nishiharu https://tennislounge.com/nishiharu/news/1776
June 8 (Mon) Tennis Lounge Tenpaku https://tennislounge.com/tenpaku/akita_event/
*The event will be held indoors regardless of rain.
*Future Development: Scheduled to be held in the Kanto area in July. It will continue in September, October, and November within the year, with a final scheduled for December.
■Others
Akita Player Official Profile: https://shihoak