RRR,

Here are a couple of links for you, one explaining some differences between the US and Japanese versions, and another to an online store.

I actually got my reel off of ebay, if you run a search for Shimano Metanium you will normally see a few listed. The $239 for a Shimano Metanium MG is still pretty fair, I think I got mine on ebay for $200 plus shipping, brand new. It is light and smoooooooth smile

http://www.profishing.net/faq.html
http://www.profishing.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=PN