[QUOTE=in a nut shell, he caught me hopping over the fence once at a closed mine, and said to me through the gate, "wouldn't you rather prefer a key so that you can get in an out?". Japanese people are great.[/QUOTE]

That's the Japan I know. Im sure that you will really enjoy the trip back. Kyushyu hasn't changed much and its changed a lot. I find myself down that way a couple of times a year and always wish I had more time to hang out and explore.