Tokyo Price Comparison

When the Ginza (Tokyo) store opened on Nov. 30, 2003 I was told that store prices would be the same as they are in the United States, taking into consideration the exchange rate of the yen to the U.S. dollar.

I noted prices at the Ginza store, and also at the very large Bic department store not far from the Ginza, and have prepared this comparison, based on the current (Dec. 1, 2003) exchange rate of 109 yen to the dollar.

* The Bic prices U.S. dollar prices include the percentage reduction from "points" applied to the purchse, and which are redeemable only at the Bic store.

Product
Ginza ¥
Ginza $
Apple $
Bic ¥
Bic $ *
G5 dual 1.8 GHz    
$2,499
299,800 + 10%
$2,475
G5 dual 2 GHz    
$2,999
374,800 + 10%
$3,095
iPod, 10 Gb
36,800
$338
$299
    
iPod, 20 Gb
47,800
$438
$399
47,800 + 2%
$352
iPod, 40 Gb
59,800
$549
$499
59,800 + 2%
$441
Panther OS 10.3
15,540
$143
$129
14,800
$136
iMac, 15-inch
149,800
$1,374
$1,299
    
iMac, 17-inch
199,800
$1,833
$1,799
199,800 + 2%
$1,797
iMac, 20-inch
249,800
$2,292
$2,199
249,800 + 2%
$2,248
Airport / Airmac card    
$79
9,400
$86
Powerbook G5 battery
16,800
$154
$129
16,000
$147
Cinema display, 20-inch    
$1,299
164,800
$1,512
Powerbook G4, 1 GHz, 15-inch    
$1,999
249,800 + 10%
$2,063
Powerbook G4, 1.3 GHz, 17-inch    
$2,999
299,800 + 10%
$2,475
iBook, 800 MHz, 30 Gb
124,800
$1,145
$1,099
    
Final Cut Pro
102,900
$944
$999
    
iSight
18,690
$171
$149
    

From this table, you can see that Bic offers slightly lower prices on the iPods, but slightly higher on other items, even with a "points" or discount of from 2% to 10%. When purchasing, the balance may be tipped by Apple's Genius Bar, in-store service and on-site repair.