Japan rail passes

[seaweedhair]

Hi,
Has anyone traveled through Japan using the rail passes for visitors?
What was your experience like? Where did you travel to?

[MeAndroo]

Used my rail pass to go from Tokyo to the Kansai area, then to Hiroshima, then back to Tokyo. An awesome value if you plan on traveling any kind of decent distance. Since it works on buses and boats too, you can pretty much get anywhere you really need to...i.e. the ferry to Miyajima off the coast of Hiroshima is JR. I even did the typical cheap gaijin thing and used it after it expired...stations are often so crowded that the attendants just wave you through. Don't imitate though...or at least don't complain if you get caught. I hear they bumped up the penalties for trying to cheat the rail system...

[Arch]

Tottaly ace, i used it in 2002. Was great help. Want more info here

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/GA/

[topi]

I was thinking of trying to get a childs one (im 15) as they are fairly cheap.

But they check your passport at the airport (thats where you get them from right?) so it would be double the price for an adult pass, and since im at work all day, I wouldnt be able to use it enough.