How to use the Seishun 18

The Seishun 18 allows unlimited rides on local and rapid JR trains (excluding reserved seats) throughout Japan from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. Although the Seishun 18 is not valid on Shinkansens and limited express trains, it is a great way to enjoy travel at a more leisurely pace. This ticket package includes five days worth of travel for only 2,300 yen per day. One person can enjoy the Seishun 18 for five days, or it can be split for use by up to five people. The unlimited rides also include use of the JR Miyajima Ferry for travel from the mainland to the island of Itsukushima, popularly known as Miyajima. The Seishun 18 is a great way to enjoy leisurely travel.

In more detail,
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html and http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html

When you travel with this, you might want to prepare some things.

Check if the journey is feasible plan

You can't go to Hokkaido in a day. This is really important, you can check the time required on this site.

http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ (Uncheck all checkboxes of expresses and shinkansen)

You might as well enter a dilatory departure time on account of accidents.

Make sure to pack your stuff compactly

Try not to be confused in a transfer station. I might've seen some people who use a rucksack.

Food and Drink

You can't buy food and drink in a local train. You can buy in a station though, you may as well prepare something to drink at least.

Route map

You will transfer often, it tells you what train to ride on. You can download them in the homepage of JR. 

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/

http://english.jr-central.co.jp/index.html

http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/

http://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/global/en/

http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/index.html

http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html

Jacket or round fan

Things that can control temperature will help you. The inside of train is cold and the platform is hot in summer. It's opposite in winter.

Traveling companion

Traveling alone is sometimes sad. 5 tickets are a set, so you can travel with friends.

Study about Ekiben

http://japanweek.us/ekiben/

There are more Ekiben in fact. They may be found if you search a station's name.

Then, how can you go from Tokyo in a day? If you ride on the first train of the day, you can go there.

West: Kokura (arrive at 0:03)

大きな地図で見る

East: Odate (arrive at 21:53)

大きな地図で見る

This is a heavy schedule though.

Example journey

9:10 Shinjuku (Tokyo)

  















Yamanote Line(Inner loop)

9:29 Shinagawa (Tokyo)

Tokaido Line (East)

11:33 Atami (Shizuoka)

Tokaido Line (Central)

14:15 Hamamatsu (Shizuoka)

have lunch and do some sightseeing

17:00 Hamamatsu

Tokaido Line (Central)

19:40 Maibara

have Ekiben

Biwako Line

20:47 Kyoto