Can someone help me figure out the rail systems in Japan? I was looking at the JR Rail pass but when I do the calculator with where we're going to / from half of the areas are not on the line (like the airport to our hotel and our hotel to Disney Sea) and the calculator tells me to add destinations to reach the JR Rail 7 day pass amount so thinking that's not the best option. Are there other rail lines I should be looking at to pre-buy or is it beter to find and pay as we g… See more

I will gladly help and answer your questions.

Tips: Once you arrive, purchase a visitor sim card, pop it in your cellphone. Use Google maps to navigate, watch some YT videos for how to's and places to visit. Using the subway and navigating through the subway stations is a useful skill, you can always ask for assistance at any of the subway station gate booths.

I was just in Japan. Used the IC “suica” card the entire trip not only for transit but for lots of purchases. Can get it on the Apple wallet no need for a physical card. Super easy to load money and top up when you need it. Can avoid JR trains for cities in between so it’s not as expensive, or just don’t buy a reserved seat ticket.
airalo app download for SIM cards for data, super cheap but it just doesn’t do calling. That way you don’t need to buy a physical card.

Thanks everyone, I'll check out all your suggestions.

It’s been several years since my visit to Japan. We used the Pasmo to get around (train or bus) in Tokyo and Kyoto and for purchases at 7-11 or vending machines. We purchased a single Shinkansen ticket when we left Tokyo for Kyoto. My advice is to go to a station and ask for help. The attendants will appear from behind the machine
and help you get to where you need with the right kind of train ticket. Also found google maps very helpful for all travel (very accurate for train times) and I ordered a pocket wifi prior to arriving and picked it up at the post office at the Narita airport and returned it to same place when departing. In some cases it was easier to get a taxi to reduce time travelling between places…just ensure you have the address in hiragana or katakana. The Japanese do not know how to read the words in our English alphabet. I used google translate a lot for this as well.
Also fyi- you usually have to wave down servers in restaurants for service and they do not accept tips. Also most transactions were in cash; I did not use plastic like I do in Canada except for hotels and at department stores.
Have fun! What an adventure