Another problem I was having with my trip was figuring out my transportation. Last time I had gone for five days I traveled from Tokyo to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, so bought a 7 day Japan Rail pass for $350. This time I would only be staying on the southern island of Kyushu. A full JR 7 Day pass was not worth it. There is a JR East past that covers the north half of the country East of Tokyo but not for the western half in the south. A friend told me about the Kyushu pass which comes in two versions, the full island, or the more populated nothern portion only. http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railp ass.html Since the north island pass only cost $115 I went for that. However, I also wanted to visit Hiroshima which is not part of Kyushu Island and I would have to buy a separate ticket both ways. When I started researching and looking up prices it seemed quite costly at $90 each way. http://www.seat61.com/Japan.htm#.UFlPSb IgdS4 http://www.hyperdia.com/ I then read that there was a newly introduced pass which you can call a JR West pass (although its actually called Sanyo-Shikoku-Kyushu Rail Pass). This covers Osaka city and the main line west to Kyushu Island. It also comes in two versions for the full Kyushu Island 25,000Y ($312) or just the northern part for 22,000Y ($275). http://www.jr-odekake.net/en/jwrp/north ern_kyushu.html My Northern JR Kyushu pass I already bought will get me to the last stop on Kyushu Island at Kokura (Kitakyushu). When I calculated how much it would be to get a ticket from Kokura to Hiroshima it was still about $90 each way. It seemed cheaper to buy the Sanyo pass which would cover me from Osaka to Kyushu Island so would include Hiroshima. Also I wanted to board the train in Fukuoka (Hakata) and ride it all the way to Hiroshima, and only pay for the excess portion from Kokura rather than get off, buy a new ticket, and get back on the next train. Then do the same coming back Hiroshima to Hakata via Kokura. This would be too confusing explaining at the counter who might not speak english. I emailed back the first company asking them to refund the Northern Kyushu Pass I bought for $115 so I could by the Sanyo-Northern Kyushu pass for 22,000Y instead ($275). They responded back saying they had fully refunded me though no credit was showing when I checked my statement online. The website for the Sanyo pass said I could buy it in person when I get to Japan providing I have a Visitors Entry stamp on my passport with a return outbound ticket, so hopefully I'll be able to get the pass when I arrive at Fukuoka from the ferry.