Thanks for the advice, all. Your continued replies are welcomed too.
On a related topic, by the way, how do you go about wandering in various restaurant/bar districts and finding interesting and affordable izakaya to visit and eat in, for example?
When I traveled to Japan last time alone, I found it kind of intimidating/unfamiliar to wander in a random place and figure out what they serve, what kind of atmosphere it would be, how expensive, etc. when you can't read or speak Japanese. Aside from just looking for red lanterns... As a result, I would go to chain places or where things were clearly marked, which led to my eating adventures being not so adventurous.
we use the michelin guide. prices are not that high in tokyo(compared to dc). spend the time to pick out half a dozen restaurants in the area, then have the concierge call and reserve for tomorrow. have concierge write down restaurant name and address. take it out, and give it to a cab driver.
in most of the restaurants, we were the only americans/eastern europeans.