about the JRP

I don't know your interests, but can't go really wrong with splitting your time between Tokyo and Kyoto (plus day trips) and also it makes for a relatively relaxed itinerary.

A 2 week JR pass would certainly be a huge waste of money for this trip. A 1 week JR pass costs about the equivalent of a return trip Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo plus one longer distance day trip (e.g. Tokyo-Nikko-Tokyo). In any case you won't save much with a JR pass with this itinerary and I'd just get individual tickets, which would allow you take also Nozomi shinkansen which are a bit (20 min) faster and give you even more frequent departures.

Can think of getting some local passes like the Kyoto bus day ticket (500 yen), the Hakone Free Pass, etc. For most typical itineraries these would give you some savings, but not a lot, so nothing you should overly be concerned about.

As above..no need for a national JR pass for that itinerary.

The Hakone Free Pass is a good idea if you want to spend a day or two in that area.

thank you for your answers, I am grateful
my husband wants to visit Hiroshima, a day trip? is it possible
thank you

I forgot from Kyoto!

Japanese trains rarely sell out and when they do, a JR pass will not allow you to board the train, so it really doenst give you any more flexibility than buying individual tickets. Being able to take the Nozomi will also save you 10-15 minutes possibly more, so the pass does have limitations.

my husband wants to visit Hiroshima, a day trip? is it possible

It is possible, and that is where a 7 day JR pass might start being useful. A day trip is a little long though even for the fit and able bodied. Better to stay 1 night in Hiroshima and then you can also see Miyajima and Himeji castle(along the way). Hiroshima is powerful, and the pancakes are delicious, but otherwise there isn't a whole lot to do in the town, so adding Miyajima and Himeji can make the long train ride more worthwhile.

If you can fit the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto,the day trip/overnight to Hiroshima,and the return to Tokyo all into 7 days....the 7 day JR pass will pay off.

You can save some money getting a Kodama train ticket instead of the other Shinkansens. It's the local Shinkansen so is the slowest since it makes more stops. But even the slow Shinkansen is pretty fast. You have to buy it at least a day in advance. It's about 20% cheaper than buying a normal Shinkansen ticket. It's not really a Shinkansen ticket but a tour ticket that includes a Shinkansen ride. You show the ticket at a manned entry, you can't use the machines. It also includes a drink. You buy it from JR Tours. While they do have offices everywhere, it's best to go to the ones in the train station. They are more equipped to deal with tourists and speak English. I buy mine off train station since it's more convenient, I don't have to go to the train station. It's actually not that hard to do with no English. Just say "Kodama" then name of the city like "Kyoto". They'll bring out the calendar and point at the date you want. Then they'll bring out the schedule and point at the time you want. They'll tell you the price. Give them your name and pay it and you're on your way. They'll also give you an instruction sheet on how to use it in English. But really, I went through the basics above. You trade in the drink ticket at most of the shops at the train station for a drink. If you can't find the sign that says they take it, just show them the pass and they'll either say something that sounds like "Sorry, we don't take it" or they'll give you the OK sign with their hand.

I know you say you have back problems so sitting a long time is a problem. The Shinkansens are pretty roomy. Even the normal 2nd class seats. You can also get up and walk about. Make sure to check out the high tech multipurpose toilets. I've had New York hotel rooms that are smaller. It's like being on the set of a sci fi movie. I think they really want you to flush though since there are multiple signs reminding you to as well as multiple controls to do it including right by the door.

In Tokyo get a Tokyo Metro subway pass to save money. They let you use both Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines. 500 yen/day if you get the 3 day pass. That's about half price. It used to come as a bunch of 3 tickets so you could use them any 3 days you wanted. But now it's just one 72 hour ticket. You can get it at the airports or at BIC camera in town. Some travel agents also sell it but with the ubiquitous BIC cameras around Tokyo, it's easier to go there instead of finding a travel agent that sells them. BIC is also used to dealing with tourists so communication will be easier. If you are going to buy something at BIC, that pass will also give you a discount there. Add that to the 8% VAT refund and the 5% credit card discount and the discounts add up quick.

If you go to Hiroshima and can fit the train rides Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Tokyo into a 7 day period, the 7 day JR pass will save you a lot of yen.

If you cannot fit it within 7 days or if you only decide on the spot that you want to go to Hiroshima, you can get a Kansai Hiroshima Pass, for the trip Kyoto-Hiroshima-Kyoto (and any trips in Kansai you do). This will be a good saving over individual tickets. The only catch of this pass is that it does not cover the shinkansen (but does cover regular trains) between Kyoto and (Shin)-Osaka stations.

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