Just as a head's up, there is a new regional rail pass that went on sale from July until at least the end of June, 2018.
Sanyo-San'in-Northern Kyushu Pass
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/t...ssnk/index.pdf

As the name says, it covers southern Honshu and northern Kyushu, and valid for 7 consecutive days. If bought outside Japan, the price is ¥22,000, and in Japan costs ¥23,000.

Thanks, Adastra!

Looks like a good deal.

It says it is "valid on Nozomi and Mizuho Sanyo Shinkansen only".

That would mean it is not valid on Kodama and Hikari Sanyo shinkansen. I find that hard to believe.

Maybe it just means that it is not valid on Mizuho trains in Kyushu south of Hakata.

It may be a translation screw-up.
I've sent them an e-mail to clarify.

I got a reply from JR West:

"The Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyusyu Pass allows you to take any Shinkansen within the valid area. It means that you can board Nozomi, Mizuho, Sakura, Hikari, Kodama, and Tsubame with this pass."

As expected.
They will fix their error sometime this month.

Adastra,
Thanks for the information.
Looks like a good deal
List of deals that go along with this pass

http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ti.../privilege.pdf

https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/r...oka/index.html