The innovative and design-savvy maker of the iPod and Macintosh, Apple Computer Inc., has been planting Apple Stores around the world in the past couple of years. In 2004, it opened stores in Japan, the first in Tokyo. The second shop opened in Japan's second city, Osaka, on August 28. Here are two exterior shots of the Apple Store Shinsaibashi. The images were taken seconds apart and show the store from across Midosuji Street in the heart of Osaka. Among the events kicking-off the opening at the new shop was a performance by prolific Japanese electronic musician Nobukazu Takemura. Like several Apple stores, the Osaka branch sports a striking glass-and-Plexi staircase.

D. Carter Witt Photo