Hey Chance -
If you come to Japan, I'll be your guide, man. Just let me know when you're coming and I'll hook you up.
The only thing about coming here, though, is that you really won't find a lot of older Tokai guitars. I go to the biggest music section of Tokyo every week where there are, literally, over 50 new/used guitar shops on ONE street, but I only find maybe one Tokai per trip.
There are only 2 shops there that even sell new Tokai guitars - and they only sell the LS models from LS-200 through LS-320 at new pricing. I've been tempted, but I am hoping to get a better deal on a used one, but MAN, I've been looking to replace my '85 LS-150 for 8 months and haven't found one.
Tokais ARE disappearing at a terrible rate here, and not just because I and other eBay guys from Japan are getting them, but because nobody wants to sell them here. They are treated as Japan's pride and joy, their very own best reissues, and they are reluctant to sell them, too.
I passed up a 1982 7okai Springy Sound ST-60 last week because it was selling for a whopping 70,000 yen, or around $600 USD, without the original pink-lined case. On the price card, it stated that it was an original vintage Tokai and made it sound enticing, but just confirmed my thought that, even in Japan, those Tokais are being coveted and won't sell for cheap anymore, UNLESS you find one at a "Gomi" shop, or junk store.
I once bought a mint Fender MIJ '57 reissue from '82 at a Gomi shop for 10 dollars
Most LS-200 models from before the '90s are selling at ABOVE RETAIL, and we're talking used guitars here. I tried to get an LS-150 and I offered 150,000 yen for it and was turned down - the guy wanted 200,000 with no case!
I keep trying, but am getting more and more frustrated. I want a really early LS-200 with original case.
Now, Chance, if you came to Japan with $25,000 - (If I were you) I would go to the Tokai factory and try for the new ones - there you will be guaranteed to find Tokai guitars and can probably get many at a good price. I wouldn't bother trudging from shop to shop in Tokyo, though, because you will be greatly disappointed, unless you're open to other brands of guitars, too. There are plenty of great 70's and 80's guitars there to choose from.