Questions about the Rail Pass

I want to get a nationwide rail pass, I am visiting Japan for 10 days. Can i get one just by having my passport? Is it easy to get one and to use it? Any info will help. Thanks

Check out

http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html

for all the info. In short, you purchase a voucher for the pass while outside the country. You cannot purchase the voucher in Japan. You take the voucher to an exchange office, show your passport which must have a tourist visa stamped in it (or Japanese national with foreign residence of a certain time), and they will give you your JR Pass.

If you don't get it outside of Japan, you can't get it.