Originally Posted by jib71

Unless you're planning day trips to West Japan (say, Kyoto) I wouldn't bother with a JR 7-day pass.

You can get to Tokyo for about 1,000 yen via bus. Reports are pretty positive:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...-3-2012-a.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...ear-round.html

The local trains are also about 1,000.

Mix it up with the fastest possible route -- the Keisei Skyliner. (Not part of the JR network)

You can also get a JR East pass for five days (consecutive) or four days (flexible) is 20K yen. (about $240 at current exchange rates).
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/index.html

The JR East pass is also valid on high speed trains to places like Nagano and Aomori. (But not valid on trains to Kyoto etc.)