[Sangetsu]

You can also use the Suica pass on many buses, even those in somewhat out of the way places.

How long are you planning to stay in Japan? If your stay is 3 weeks to one month, you should just get a JR railpass. It is good for 30 days and allows unlimited use of all JR trains as well as the Shinkansen.

It's an excellent deal if you want to see all of Japan. The cost is about $300, but if you consider that a reserved seat on the Shinkansen going from Tokyo to Osaka and back runs about $360, you get the idea,