train passes in Honshu

We are off to Kyushu and Western Honshu in about 4 weeks. What is the latest on train passes that can be used from Yamaguchi through to Kyoto. We were lucky enough to get a special on a JR East pass in 2010 and it was fantastic. We're not travelling by train enough to warrant a normal JR pass - what we'd like is something we can use on non-consecutive days on Shinkansens and Limited Express trains... possible? or are we dreaming?

that can be used from Yamaguchi through to Kyoto

The JR Sanyo Pass is valid between Yamaguchi and Osaka, but its coverage area does not extend to Kyoto, and it is only valid for the Sanyo Shinkansen and Sanyo Main Line along the souther coast. Not any other lines in the area. There is no non-consecutive version, and it is not particularly attractively priced, either:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_04.html

what we'd like is something we can use on non-consecutive days on Shinkansens and Limited Express trains... possible? or are we dreaming?

I am afraid there is no such pass for this particular region on Japan.