Not highend and Japanese style probably not going to happen but I use MAAX tubs in a lot of normal priced bathroom renos and they have a good selection and are very nice and are available all across Canada. This is a favorite for that feel.

Oops don't think about this one way over budget.

Splashes or Universal Supply are the best for budget friendly free standing options.

Thanks. I went to Splash, and they seem helpful, but they don't have many tubs in the place to see/touch. They found a "budget" tub similar to a Japanese soaking tub, which is cool.

The cost effective shops will have limited inventory to show off, this is one of the things that keeps their overhead down which = lower prices. Beautiful showrooms = Higher prices.

Right. But I'm in a different stage--touching, feeling thinking; not buying.

If you are just in the stage of "looking" but not buying, go to the high end shops. I do this with a lot of things. When it comes time to actually buy, you will have a good idea of what you want and can buy from a more budget friendly shop.