Apple Opening New Retail Store in Japan This Weekend

[MacRumors]

Apple has announced that it will be opening a new retail store in the in the heart of Osaka, Japan, on Saturday, July 26.

Apple Umeda is the second Apple store to open in Osaka and the 11th to open in Japan. It is located at 4-20 Ofukacho in the Kita ward of Osaka, next to the Osaka Station.

To celebrate the occasion, Apple has released a special wallpaper for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac that can be downloaded for free by visiting Apple's Japan website.

Many of Apple's newer stores feature an Apple Pickup station for collecting online orders, along with a Genius Bar designed with counters at different heights to enhance accessibility.

The store opens at 10:00 a.m. local time, according to Apple's website. There will be a full program of Today At Apple sessions, including "Say Hello to Apple Intelligence" and a deep dive into photography techniques using iPhone 16.

Article Link: Apple Opening New Retail Store in Japan This Weekend

 

[chinito77]

Ugh, when am I ever going to see one open in the Hyogo area? Nishinomiya has a huge luxury mall just screaming for an Apple Store yet we get another deep in the tourist trap city of Osaka...

 

[jchap]

Ugh, when am I ever going to see one open in the Hyogo area? Nishinomiya has a huge luxury mall just screaming for an Apple Store yet we get another deep in the tourist trap city of Osaka...

Indeed, I wonder how they determine whether to open a physical store in a specific area or not.

Likely, they take into account whether other authorized Apple resellers and dealers are already present in the area, and whether their potential customers are already being served by that network.

Opening a physical Apple Store probably requires a massive commitment of resources, and they have to be sure that they will recoup their investment, both initial and ongoing.

Most metropolitan areas in Japan are already covered by authorized Apple resellers such as Bic Camera, Edion, Yodobashi and all the major electronics outlets, so Apple probably figures that there is no need to open a physical store unless doing so would hugely bolster their brand image and serve as a landmark in that particular area. (I've been wanting them to open up another store in Aichi, but they just stick with one.)

 

[adamlbiscuit]

The link to the wallpaper doesn't (edit: didn't) work.

It's here if anyone wants it:

https://www.apple.com/jp/main/umeda/WFeQBylL/images/storepage/wallpaper/umeda_wallpaper_desktop.png

 

[JapanApple]

That’s quite a rendering. We have a small shop in Ginza and actually the services aren’t very good there. There used to be one Akihabara, but they closed it down and they put it in a biccamera among other places scattered through the electric shops around Tokyo and surrounding larger cities. Currently in Osaka they have the worlds exhibition going on until mid October so this is a nice addition to what’s already going on in Kansai region.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

these stores start to feel antiquated.

 

[daabido]

these stores start to feel antiquated.

How so?

 

[slkjflla]

It feels fairly logical to have it in the Grand Front development to me despite its proximity to the Yodobashi store

 

[Luke MacWalker]

Meanwhile, the Apple Store in Sapporo never reopened (despite what was promised when it closed due renovations in the building) 😞

 

[coffeemilktea]

This store looks so amazing!

...meanwhile, the one near me just looks like a squat rectangular box 🥲

 

[icymountain]

The Umeda area is under remodelling, with some amazing cityscape emerging right now. Great location for an Apple Store indeed.

 

[johkg]

Indeed, I wonder how they determine whether to open a physical store in a specific area or not.

Likely, they take into account whether other authorized Apple resellers and dealers are already present in the area, and whether their potential customers are already being served by that network.

Opening a physical Apple Store probably requires a massive commitment of resources, and they have to be sure that they will recoup their investment, both initial and ongoing.

Most metropolitan areas in Japan are already covered by authorized Apple resellers such as Bic Camera, Edion, Yodobashi and all the major electronics outlets, so Apple probably figures that there is no need to open a physical store unless doing so would hugely bolster their brand image and serve as a landmark in that particular area. (I've been wanting them to open up another store in Aichi, but they just stick with one.)

They have sales data from their online stores authorized resellers. They know which cities and prefectures have high sales volumes.

 

[Black_Mage]

Nice. I wonder how popular Apple is in Japan.

 

[arc of the universe]

The Umeda area is under remodelling, with some amazing cityscape emerging right now. Great location for an Apple Store indeed.

totally agree.
Umeda has changed itself into a Future City. Kitte is absolutely amazing.
above ground, stunningly beautiful architecture packed into a relatively small area.
below ground, connecting everything, everywhere, all at once.

 

[arc of the universe]

Meanwhile, the Apple Store in Sapporo never reopened (despite what was promised when it closed due renovations in the building) 😞

this.
1.9 million people market.
with Rapidus beginning operations soon in Chitose, and engineers and their families coming in, i think apple will give Sapporo another chance.

 

[svish]

Good to see a store opening. Waiting to see some photos of the store from opening day.

 

[SmugMaverick]

Here’s the wallpaper with a black background for those that want it.

 

[Umeda Junkie]

It was crazy

 

[Umeda Junkie]

The countdown

 

[Umeda Junkie]