Worth for 7 Days JR Pass & Itinerary Check

A 7 day pass would be worth it but you would have to cut your itinerary down one day to go from and return to Tokyo within 7 days.
See:

http://www.jrpass.com/forum/topics/using-the-japan-rail-pass/posts/exact-expiration-time-of-pass

if you need more info on counting days for using the pass.

Day trips to both Nara and Himeji would both be excellent. The area near Nara Park has many good places to see, and be sure not to miss the Isuien and Yoshikien gardens (mostly stampeded past by nearly all other tourists) close by:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk-7IoLELio

A day trip to Himeji also would be great.

Hi,

Thank you. Unable to shorten our trip, I assume we could just pay for a single ticket back to Toyko? Is it difficult to work out what trains to get? For example, i'm sure getting to Kinosaki Onsen from Kyoto is much harder than Tokyo to Kyoto!

Also, my partner is 6,6 tall, would you recommend getting first class or will there be enough room with the standard pass?

Thanks
Siobhan

Hi,
Yes, you can easily buy regular fare tickets to or from Tokyo. The more travel you can pack into the 7 day pass, the more you can save.
Getting to Kinosaki is not hard. See:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3526.html

and be sure to click on "To/From Kyoto".

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3525.html

I really don't think getting the first class green seats are needed, even for 6'6". The regular seats are quite spacious and far better than cattle class on the airplane.
After the temples and shrines in Kyoto close down around 5PM, it is also easy to zip over to Osaka for the evening. Dotonbori is a must see place, and the night views from the Umeda Sky Bldg and Abeno Harukas are tremendous:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-jkgQdiQlK2bcKCzr2pJQh2

For Himeji, don't miss the Kokoen Garden next to the castle. For Nara, if you have time see the Isuien and Yoshikien Gardens near Nara Park. Beautiful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk-7IoLELio