Outkast wrote:OH!! OH!! Question!
If I was going to be in Kyushu for a year, traveling both within a local city and around the island (and occasionally off the island,) what would be the best options? Is there a rail pass for this? Would a year be too long to make a rail pass worthwhile?
If you are going to be in Japan for a year then you will need to have a proper visa (non tourist) which would not allow you to use any type of railpass. Your best bet would be to buy Teikiken which is a type of ticket that is discounted for a few months use on a specific route. They are quite common and fairly cheap. Maybe about 100$ for 1 month. 250$ for 3 months or so.
Also I don't think Narita Express is covered by JR Pass. but it's only a 2500Yen ride from Narita to Shinjuku and maybe cheaper to Tokyo Station.