Is HitJapan run by this guy Masa? if so he seems very transactional in nature (read - $ first, any problems, fock it).
I've bought from Retrogamecity, yamatoku-classic and the other JP baseguys (there is a JoeBing guy based in Sapporo, great condition/accurate quality description stuff, but pricey), as well as Doujindance. I ask them to ship to my friends or wifey's relatives' house in JP locally so I save big time on the shipping given I goto JP a few times a year for business trips.
The Masa guy would quote crazy prices for even domestic shipping. like 6-7 bucks within tokyo... for 1 game.
for reference you-bin (postoffice) media mail in JP works great all the time and it is 160 yen anywhere ($2 USD).
so you can get the sense about this guy's tendencies