iPad in Japan: the retail details

It plays games, you know…

By J.D., May 11, 2010

(Image cheekily borrowed from Inside-Games)

So you live in Japan and fancy some iPad gaming for those times when you’re reclining on the tatami, sipping a vegetable chu-hi and waiting for the somber news bulletin to end before the genki baseball broadcast resumes? Well you’re in luck, as the iPad’s Japan launch is just a few weeks away!

Here are the core details for fans of bullet points and juicy Apple info:

Apple Stores, Softbank shops and “electrical retail outlets” around Japan have been accepting iPad reservations since May 10th.

The thing will be available to buy, hold and caress on May 28th.

Wi-fi models come in at 16GB (48,960 yen – that’s £355/$525 at current rates), 32GB (59,040 yen) and 64GB (68,880 yen).

3G-capable models that feed off Softbank signals are slightly more expensive – 16GB at 58,320 yen, 32GB at 67,920 yen, and 64GB at 77,280 yen.

There are two Softbank data subscription plans for 3G net access: a two-year contract at a basic 2,910 yen (£21/$31) per month, and a pre-paid service allowing charges for 1GB of data transfers for 4,410 yen (£31/$47) with no need for a contract.