GOT TO HAVE IT!!!! iPHONE FEVER HITS JAPAN

Pic courtesy of Apple

Apple's 3G iPhone will be launched in Tokyo this Friday July 11th by Softbank Corporation at their flagship store. Doors will open at extra early at 7:00 am to service customers. The other stores will open at 9:00 am for business.

The iPhones will also be available online starting Friday July 11 as well. This launch will be the first in Asia, to be followed by a launch in Hong Kong. New Zealand and Australia had their launches a few months ago.


Flagship Store photo courtesy of Softbank Corporation

Enthusiasts of the iPhone have been lining up since Tuesday July 8th in front of Softbank Corp.'s flagship store so that they can be one of the first in Japan to purchase the 3G iPhone.



Hiruyuki Sano photo courtesy of Crunchgear

The first person in line is Hiruyuki Sano, a student from Nagoya, who ditched class Tuesday to drive 160 miles north so he can buy the iPhone for his 25th birthday, which is on Friday July 11th, the day of the launch.

He actually brought his Macbook Pro, iPod, a change of clothes, an umbrella, snacks and a folding chair. His dedication means that he will suffer through four more days of Tokyo's hot and humid summer heatwave.

He also received permission to miss school from his professor. "My professor is a big Apple fan, so when I told him I wanted to come line up for the iPhone, he told me to go for it," Sano said after a fitful night of sleep in his chair. "My mom told me I was crazy."



Koichi Funyu photo courtesy Reuters

Koichi Funyu uses his mobile phone while in line to purchase it's replacement iPhone.


Tetsuya Umeda photo courtesy of Reuters

Another college student, Tetsuya Umeda, brought along a biography of Steve Jobs while resting on a piece of cardboard while waiting in line since Wednesday July 9th.


**UPDATE /FRIDAY JULY 11TH 2008**


Customers in front of Softbank's Flagship Friday Morning courtesy
of Reuters

Under Softbank Corp.'s "White Plan", customers can "Purchase of iPhone 3G 8GB model at approximately ¥23,000, ¥960/month, and unlimited packet usage at ¥5,985"

The flagship store is located on Otomesando Street in the trendy Harajuku district of Tokyo.


Map courtesy of Softbank Corporation

Store address and general info are as follows:

Address - ALTEKA PLAZA 1ST FLOOR, 1-13-9, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Street & Subway Access - 2-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station or 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station (along Omotesando St.)
Telephone - 03-6406-0711
Business Hours -10:00-22:00 (Contract applications/upgrades/repairs available 10:00–21:00)