I have a Nishiki Cresta, from maybe 1983. It is a dedicated touring bike, and I have a picture of it up on the "loaded rig" thread.
It is lugged, butted chro-mo steel (Tange something-or-other), with 5 speed freewheel, and Suntour/Sugino except for BB and rear der, which I've replaced with Shimano, and a new Nitto stem. It had the Suntour Mountech derailleurs, of which supposedly the rear derailleur was a serious liability. Mine was just wearing out, and also not able to handle my silly 38-tooth cog.
I've done one short trip, and lots of local riding. I'm happy with it, although I lust for a new bike. Ken Kifer had one, but was not too enthusiastic about it (kenkifer.com). They are/were a middling-to-good production bike, but not too common now, I guess. If anyone knows more about them, I'd be interested.