1st time to Japan and need some advice Melbourne - Osaka

[DontGetMeStarted]

We will be flying to Osaka 7th October and landing at 7.30pm and need some assistance with the JR Rail Pass.
Our itinerary is as follows
7/10 - Airport to Osaka City - probably Swiss Otel or Cross Hotel
8/10 Osaka to Hiroshima - overnight Hiroshima - Hotel TBC
9/10 Hiroshima to Tokyo - 3 nights hotel TBC
11/10 Tokyo to Kyoto - 2 nights hotel TBC
14/10 Kyota to Osaka - 1 night problem SwissOtel or Cross again with late check out the next day if possible.
15/10 Depart Osaka for Melbourne at 8.30pm
We want to use the Bullet train system for the above travel. The JR pass is $339 (AU) is this a good cost or should we purchase separate tickets once in Japan to save money - not sure that we would.
Does the Bullet train service all of the above cities and is the itinerary in the right sort of order. I have logged onto Hyperdia.com but still having a few problems working it all out so thought I would ask the experts.
Our budget for hotels is about $150 per night and we would like good central locations if possible. If you can help I would be grateful thank you

 

[auriga]

Buying the tickets individually will cost you more. The advantage is that you can take Nozomi trains (the fastest), which you are not allowed to do with the JR pass.

When using Hyperdia website, you can click on "search details", and uncheck the box for private railways, as they are also not included in the JR pass.

 

[serfty]

The rail pass is generally cheaper than the following minimum travel:

NRT-Tokyo-Osaka-Tokyo-NRT

You would be doing KIX-Osaka-Hiroshima-Osaka-Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-KIX

So definitely worth it IMHO.

Here's some useful links:

• Japan Rail Pass Green? - FlyerTalk Forums
• About JAPAN RAIL PASS
• Rail Pass Details
• Japan Rail Pass - Rail Plus Australia
• http://www.japanrailpass.net/images/application.pdf
• Hyperdia |