Andy

We have calculated that our itinerary costs about the same as a 2 week rail pass (Narita-Tokyo-Lake Ashinoko-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Mayajima-Nara (plus Osaka, but after 15 days). So it is probably a question of whether it will be easier to buy a rail pass than individual tickets. With the JR pass you can jump on and off trains without a ticket, or do you still need to queue up for a ticket (even if it is free). If it is much simpler to get on and off trains without tickets then it makes sense for us to go with a railcard i think. Does the JR pass also allow you to reserve seats for free on the bullet trains?
Thanks for any advice. Andy