Seattle Mariners leadoff man Ichiro Suzuki flew back to Japan on Friday for a brief visit to his hometown, where he will watch the final of the boys' league championship called the Ichiro Cup organized by a nonprofit group.

News photoIchiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners arrives at Kansai International Airport after flying back to Japan.

Ichiro, who appeared at Kansai International Airport in a black turtleneck sweater and jeans, returned for Saturday's final between the Naruko Fighters and Koizumi Club in the tournament named after him and featuring 218 teams in the town of Toyoyama, Aichi Prefecture.

In November 2002, the 30-year-old took a day off from the exhibition series between the Yomiuri Giants and the major league All-Stars in Tokyo Dome to visit the site of the Ichiro Cup for the first time and congratulate the champions.