Japan Rail Pass

Advantages: easy to use, use as many time as you want during valid day
Disadvantages: limited location to exchange voucher

Traveling in Japan is quite costly. So having a Japan Rail (JR) Pass is an excellent way for the foreigners to see Japan. However, you want to evaluate your situation before purchasing the JR pass as if you do not use it, there will be about 20% service fee for unused ticket refund or not getting full value for the money. Confusing? It could be... but it is fairly simple. JR pass: (quick overview) 1* pre-purchased Exchange Order (voucher) outside ...
...must complete "Application form for Japan Rail Pass Exchange" per person. If you do not speak or understand Japanese, you might want to consider printing and filling the form before arrival. I hate to say it, but customer Service towards non-speakers of Japanese is not always positive. Also, not all speak English well. To be on a good side, be prepared! Do check out the website and find out how it works. Remember, you will need "passport" for each ... Read review

Advantages: A great way to save money on long distance travel in Japan
Disadvantages: Can only be bought outside of Japan

...are planning on travelling to Japan and travelling the country via trains this pas is for you. The pass gives you free travel on all JR trains both long and short distances, JR bus routes, the JR ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima, JR subway lines (this is not all subway lines) and the Narita express from Narita (Tokyo) airport into the centre of Tokyo. They are valid for 7, 14 or 21 days and you can buy for either standard class (ordinary) or first ...
...you through. They can also only be bought outside of Japan to tourists and once your exchange order has been issued you have 3 months in which to change it for your pass. When trying to do this you must show your passport as proof that you are a tourist. ... Read review

The JR Rail Pass is very useful for visitors to Japan who want to see much of the country, north to south. There are regional passes valid for a few days at a time which are more cost-effective for visitors travelling in a smaller area such as western Honshu (Tokyo plus Kyoto and Hiroshima, for example). I found the full JR Pass especially useful as I went "commando" on my trip, visiting places on a whim; I went to Niigata from Tokyo one day because the Max Toki train was at the platform when I got to the station. Read the clearly-stated rules about validity and entitlement to use the pass -- they are strictly enforced. I'm buying another pass for my next trip.