There were issues to settle as far as dinner was concerned. The most important involved what Hughesy was likely to eat, or, more accurately, what it wouldn't be inclined to have a go at. I explained to the helpful maid, who had reasonably good English thanks to a year working in New Zealand, that I would have a go at most things, which seemed to be the most appropriate and reasonably accurate answer.
The other issue concerned drinks, which basically came down to sake or wine. Niigata prefecture is renowned for its rice and is, therefore, a sake stronghold, so that seemed the way to go when you're looking at a regional variation on the Japanese banquet.