JR to Kinosaki from Kyoto?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to get to Kinosaki from Kyoto with a JR pass (although I would consider other train options that save a considerable amount of time).

When I enter the locations into google maps I end up with quite a few choices ranging from 2hr 20min to over 10 hours. (shortened URL here: https://tinyurl.com/yan9hzsm )

Is there anything complicated about taking the Hashidate train that only takes a couple hours or is there a bunch of hidden conditions gmaps isn't telling me?

You have the choice between direct "Kinosaki" limited express trains (three per day) and a trip that requires a transfer at Fukuchiyama Station along the way from a "Hashidate" to a "Konotori" limited express. It is explained here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3526.html?aFROM=2158_3525

Here is a list of the timings of direct Kinosaki trains:
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/intervaltime.html?dep_node=KYOTO&arv_no...

Nothing complicated about it. Options with and without transfers should be around 2.5 hours.

Thanks for the info!

A couple other questions:

1)
I was looking at ways to get to Hiroshima from Kinosaki... looks kinda rough (early). Is this correct?

https://tinyurl.com/ycp9fsoe

I tried another search going back through Kyoto and got this https://tinyurl.com/ybztgls4 It looks like Route 5 seems to be a much better option in terms of timing seeing as how we'll actually be able to get breakfast in and not be too rushed, even though it does take a significantly longer time to get to Hiroshima.

Thoughts?

2)
Is there a list for which local trains are covered by the JR pass (like Tokyo's Yamanote line?)

1)
No need to return to Kyoto as detour.
https://goo.gl/maps/yYYUZGoz8t22

2)
If only in the question section, it is only the range of "JR-West".
English PDF Route Maps is provided.
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/timetable/
Only Shinkansen "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" and Special chartered trains are NOT.
(Pass web mentioned, read again)

Basically "HyperDia" as that setting enough,
but it does not correspond to the timetable of Feb next year 2018.

It is not something to worry from now.

HyperDia tends to be very late in reflecting the newest timetable.
I recommend that you avoid relying on HyperDia for timetables on a date more than one month hence, like 24 February 2018 which you set this time.

On result pages of HyperDia, currently there is a disclaimer saying that search results may differ from actual timetables when you specify 1 October 2017 or a later date.

looking at ways to get to Hiroshima from Kinosaki.

How is your whole itinerary?

When you plan to travel by rail just inside Kansai plus Chugoku Regions and your furthest destination (from Kyoto City) is Hiroshima City or Miyajima Island, a JR-West Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass may be suitable.
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hiroshima/

Unlike a Japan Rail Pass, this JR-West pass can be used for Shinkansen Nozomi and Mizuho rides on the San(-)yo Shinkansen, while it is not valid on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo -- Nagoya -- Kyoto -- Shin-Osaka, operated by JR Central).

Using this JR-West pass, you can travel from Kinosakionsen Station (07:58) by JR San-yo Line, Bantan Line and San(-)yo Shinkansen to (12:50) Hiroshima Station.
(You change trains four times, though.)
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KINOSAKIONSEN&a...

Is there a list for which local trains are covered by the JR pass (like Tokyo's Yamanote line?)

Such a list has to be very long, even if it is available.

In HyperDia
: Reddish purple train marks indicate non-JR trains.
: Yellow green train marks are used for JR trains; however, HyperDia regards trains which go on both JR and non-JR sections just as JR trains, so you cannot distinguish by a mark such through trains from JR-only trains.

On the following page of the Japan Rail Pass website, there is a list of major JR - non-JR through trains and the sections concerned which are not covered by a Japan Rail Pass.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html

For example, even when you don�ft check "Private Railway" box, HyperDia may return a route where a Limited Express Super Inaba goes from Tottori through the non-JR section of Chizu Express (Chizu -- Kamigori, not covered by a Japan Rail Pass) to Okayama, showing this JR-Chizu through train just as a JR train with a yellow green mark.
(On this route, you change trains twice.)
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KINOSAKIONSEN&a...

To travel by this route with a Japan Rail Pass used for the JR sections, you should pay 1820 yen | 1720 yen for the Chizu Express section (= 1300 yen as a basic fare + 520 yen | 420 yen as a Limited Express surcharge for a ride with | without seat reservation).

Kinosakionsen
07:58 Local train
| JR San-in Line:
09:57
Tottori
10:02 Limited Express Super Inaba 4
| JR Imbi Line until Chizu +
| Chizu Express until Kamigori +
| JR San-yo Line
11:48
Okayama
11:56 Shinkansen Sakura 553
| JR San-yo Shinkansen
12:35
Hiroshima.

Note
: You may have to hurry in making a transfer in Okayama Station from Track 2 via Shinkansen Transfer Gate to Track 22.

Thank you very much for the detailed information. I will study this closely.

We are still in the planning phases, but our itinerary before Kyoto includes a week in Tokyo, with a few days in Tokyo at the end of our 4 week trip. Due to certain obligations, this was a necessity, so we thought to spend the middle 14-18 days or so between our required times in Tokyo to travel around and explore. We don't want to be too rushed as we prefer a relatively relaxed pace.

The plan so far is:

Tokyo (8 nights)
Kyoto+Nara (5 or 6 nights)
Kinosaki (1 night)
Hiroshima (1 night)
Miyajima (1 night)
Osaka (3 or 4 nights if we include Mt. Koya)
Hakone (1 night)
Tokyo (remainder)

One thing that is of particular concern is luggage on the leg of Kyoto - Kinosaki - Hiroshima - Miyajima - Osaka. This is a lot of luggage moving every day, and we would prefer not to have to do so. It should be easy enough to just take what we need for the 3 nights hopping around and not take all our luggage, but I am not well versed in our options for leaving luggage behind. Any suggestions on this would be very appreciated!

I see..., you will allow more than 10 days for places outside the Kanto Region.

Due to certain obligations, this was a necessity,

Just to make sure: when you plan to work and accept a remuneration for it, you are

not permitted to be in Japan under Temporary Visitor status of residence,

therefore you are not eligible for Japan Rail Pass and most other JR area and

tourist passes.

One thing that is of particular concern is luggage on the leg of Kyoto -

Kinosaki - Hiroshima - Miyajima - Osaka.

Probably there are hotels in Osaka City which can receive a few parcels instead of

a guest then keep them for a short time until the guest comes to stay.

When you book such a hotel, you tell the staff about your luggage and get a

consent, then you can send off parcels of luggage items by postal or takuhaibin

service when you leave Kinosaki or Hiroshima.

If a major post office or takuhaibin service center is near your Osaka hotel,

maybe you can send your parcels there then pick them up just after you arrive at

the hotel.

- Takuhaibin Delivery Services
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

i want visit it

Thanks omotenashi for the clarifications.

I will not be there for work, so that's not an issue. It's due to timing with different groups of friends that weren't able to take time off during the same period, so we're accommodating their times to meet.