Mike, I didn't qualify for housing in Shimonoseki. At that place they gave me a referral to Yamaguchi city, where an NPO organization helped out with housing. Got lucky, no deposit and furnished apartment for 20000 yen a month. Sorry if I hadn't posted that. I know I didn't have internet until a few days ago, so I may have over looked posting it to you here on the forum. Maybe I did. There are only 2 places that I know of now , one in Yamaguchi city and in Ogori. They are about the same price though. Ube is about 30000 yen cheaper maybe, but its over a 1.5 hour train ride and the 17 hours of instructions probably will eat up the difference in price.