JRPass

Hi there!

A 14 day rail pass will cost ¥45,100, so lets see if you JR ticket costs come to more than this:

1. Hiroshima > Kyoto: ¥10790, (126mins, 380km)
2. Kyoto > Osaka: ¥540, (28mins, 42km)
3. Osaka > Nara: ¥780, (59mins, 48km)
4. Nara > Osaka: ¥780, (55mins, 48km)
5. Osaka > Kobe(hyogo): ¥390, (24mins, 33km)
6. Kobe(hyogo) > Osaka: ¥390, (25mins, 33km)
7. Osaka > Tokyo: ¥13750, (194mins, 556km)
8. Tokyo > Nikko: ¥5430, (121mins, 150km)
9. Nikko > Tokyo: ¥5430, (117mins, 150km)

TOTAL: ¥38280 for 9 legs

As you can see the individual ticket costs for your journey are actually lower than the 14 day rail pass. Unless you intend to do more travel during your trip (for example, I'm not sure how you get to Hiroshima at the start of your trip), then I think I would recommend you purchase individual tickets as needed.

Hope this helps!

Yes - the only alternative is a 7 day pass, but I suspect that with all the destinations you list you'll want more than 1 week.

Have a great trip!