Wazoo ! I'm gagging to glide the slopes in Nihon. Have wheels and room for san/yon nin in the back - looking to exit Tokyo hard on a Friday night, double-day riding, then grind back on a Sunday eve. Visitors through to New Year prevent immediate action, but definitely thereafter. Lining up for a pint with a few peers sounds like a good idea.
Gav/Belle, send us a mail when you've got a place to go - an irish place in Shinjuku would suit me fine on a Wednesday night - how about next week ?