Detailed itinerary help, travel pass

simply put

- 5 nights / 6 days

- kobe-himeji-kyoto-osaka-nagoya

-will use the SHINKANSEN a total of 9/10 times between cities
(KOBE-OSAKA)x3 (KOBE-HIMEJI)x2 (KOBE-KYOTO)x2 (NAGOYA-KOBE)x1 (KYOTO -KOBE)x1

-will use lots of JR subway to travel inside cities.


What Pass Would Everyone Recommend?

Do inform which day you are traveling where. At the moment i would not recommend any pass as the pass would only be worth while if you travel extensively in a small amount of time.

SHINKANSEN in brackets ( )

April 1
(NAGOYA-KOBE)
+JR

April 2
(KOBE-HIMEJI) - back and forth
(KOBE-OSAKA) - back and forth (night)
+JR

April 3
((KOBE-OSAKA) - back and forth
+JR

April 4
(KOBE-KYOTO) - back and forth
+JR

April 5
Kyoto JR only

April 6
(KYOTO-NAGOYA) back and forth
+JR

-will use the SHINKANSEN a total of 9/10 times between cities

Like I've said before, this is not hard to work out for yourself. Use Hyperdia (hyperdia.com/en) to calculate all your train fares and then decide if you should buy a pass.

April 1
(NAGOYA-KOBE)
+JR
8060Yen + JR

April 2
(KOBE-HIMEJI) - back and forth 3420Yen + 3420Yen
(KOBE-OSAKA) - back and forth (night)
+JR 3160yen + JR

April 3
((KOBE-OSAKA) - back and forth
+JR
3160yen + JR

April 4
(KOBE-KYOTO) - back and forth
+JR
3530yen + JR

April 5
Kyoto JR only JR

April 6
(KYOTO-NAGOYA) back and forth
+JR
5790Yen + JR

Total 30540Yen+

7 Days Japan Rail Pass 29110Yen

However there is a lot of factors. It is possible and faster to take local trains like Kobe to Osaka that could reduce the pricing.

If you plan on taking Shinkansen exclusive, then the answer is 7 Days Rail Pass. It is almost the same but the flexibility of the pass plus seat reservation is free and you can also use it on local JR trains.

Also get an Icoca IC card in Osaka for any private lines.

Hope this helps!!
Have Fun!!