couple comments - if japan is too expensive, then "palace on wheels" is likely to be out of budget as well. last i looked it's about $250 per person per night (double occupancy). although Sept is low season - so maybe it's less?
2nd - Jet visit passes: I can't believe they are still charging $83 fuel surcharge per sector! that's on the level of transatlantic YQ! all for a max flight of 3 hrs (and most much less than that). you can but a ticket just for that price alone.