Suggestions please:-)

Hi there,

Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza are all great places to stay at and all central in their own respect. I recommend using the Narita Express if you travel into the city using the Japan Rail Pass. You can use it to travel fast and in comfort to most major stops in Tokyo, such as Tokyo, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shibuya and so on.

From there on your itinerary looks great to me. I love that you included Hiroshima and Takayama. For Takayama, book your accommodation now! It will be impossible during the festival and the city is fully booked long in advance.

The JR Pass is consecutive (and always have been). There are some regional passes that are not, it could be that your Aunt used one of those. Given that you travel all over Japan, I would definitely use a Japan Rail Pass, a 14 day JR Pass would also help you make good savings - in case you want a bit more time to explore.

Yes, you can book all your tickets at once if you wish so. It help a lot if you bring a written/printed list with all the trains you wish to book. Include the starting and destination stations, train departures and possible transfers you'd like to take.

Kind regards,
Daniel

Arigato Daniel-san. I really appreciate your help & suggestions :-)
Best wishes
Me :-)