In the UK, there are plenty of good touring bike manufacturers, you dont need to go to the US or Japan for a great bike.
Dawes, Orbit ,Thorn (sjscycles) make excellent production bikes, and there are scores of small workshops making touring bikes, mostly up North.
In Leeds you have the legendary Bob Jackson Cycles (got one of those
http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/default.php
http://www.orbit-cycles.co.uk/
Prices start from around £600. Last years models can be very good value, as long as they fit you properly. When it comes to fit, most of us recon that as long as you can straddle the bike with adaquate clearance, the most important factor is the length of the bike. Too long, and you will feel stretched out. Smaller sized bikes are notorious for being too long, but orbit and thorn are more advanced in their sizing than most.
Find the local brach of the Cyclists Touring Club. They have regular weekend rides, and you can learn a lot by riding with them and their magazine is a useful source of suppliers and adverts.