Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Riding the rails
Programs: Japan Forum, Skyteam Elite Plus, BW Diamond Select, HHonors Gold, NWA, DL, NH
Posts: 1,936
Are you planning to get the 7 day JR pass?
The "JR" Pass only covers "Japan Railway" group company trains, so this means your long distance trains (Shinkansen/bullet trains) and many inner and intercity trains, but there will be trains that are not "JR" (in all cities, depending on exactly where you plan to visit) where you can just pay as you go (or using a prepaid transit card like Pasmo or Suica).
The JR pass will cover many of the major portions, but there will be times where you need to get a regular ticket or use a prepaid card.