I'll be taking the bullet train to Tokyo later this week because, as it stands, there's no chance of me getting a PS3 at launch here in Kyoto. I've inquired everywhere in Kyoto, but there's nothing doing. Midori Denki, Yodobashi Camera and other large electronics stores are simply not accepting pre-orders. Of course, I could start queuing outside my local Midori branch right now, but that's not practical for so many reasons.

I could queue outside Sofmap, but the clerk there informed me of the bizarre system they've put in place for the PS3 launch: First, you have to queue up for a ticket, and then only if the number printed on that ticket happens to match one of the numbers called out by Sofmap staff can you actually go into the store and buy a console. It's a lottery; it's not "first come, first served," it's "come and, who knows, you might be served."

Of course, things haven't been helped by the fact that Japan's launch allocation was slashed from 100,000 units to just 80,000. I spoke with Tetsuya Mizuguchi about this and he was adamant that it doesn't really make much of a difference -- "100,000 to 80,000; that's not much of a drop" -- and I agree that in the long term it's insignificant. But right now who cares about the long term? I want to play Ridge Racer 7 this weekend!

Last time out, it was Ridge Racer V (wonder why Namco dropped the Roman numerals) that sold the PlayStation 2 to Japan. That and its ability to play DVDs. This time around, RR 7 and Blu-ray playback will establish the PS3 here. History repeats.

A shot of the 60GB PS3

There are other factors which should ensure that the PS3 is a huge success in Japan. For one, PlayStation TV. This is the name Sony has given to its in-store PS3 demo kiosks, of which there will be 1,000 placed in shops around Japan by next week. Certainly, at least while it remains difficult to buy a PS3, these kiosks are going to be very popular.

PS3 TV ads have also started to appear in Japan. In fact, one of these commercials effectively advertises the PlayStation TV kiosk as opposed to the console itself -- which is probably a good idea, because initially more people will be able to check out the kiosks than buy the machine for themselves. The other ads focus on the aesthetics of, variously, a fork, chimneys, and electrical sockets. They then cut to show a towering PS3 against a black background before ending with the "Play Beyond" slogan. The message, as far as I can see, is that if you stand the PS3 vertically it looks like some other stuff. But then, there may be more to it than that.

Even if I fail to get a PS3 on Saturday, at least I'll be able to read about how excellent it is. Two new PS3 mags came to market this week -- Dengeki PS3 and Famitsu PS3 -- and both of them are full of hype. Better still, Famitsu PS3 includes a free Minna no Golf 5 (aka Hot Shots Golf 5) strap that you can attach to something you keep forgetting. Like your PSP. Dengeki is cheaper at 500 yen, but the 650-yen Famitsu is a better read.

Anyway, enough of this chat: I have Shinkansen tickets to book. Wish me luck in Tokyo, please -- I'll need it!