Sakura / Hikari Bullet Train

Hi All

Again thank you for your answers, we have finally got the itinerary all in the right order now. I do have one last question for some information on; This will be my 5th-day of a JR 7Day Pass

Depart Saturday, July 14th (am) from Hiroshima on Sakura / Hikari Bullet Train to Osaka.

My question is; Can I get off @ Himeji for (3,4,5hours) and then continue on a later afternoon Sakura / Hikari Bullet Train to Osaka.

Yes, the Japan Rail Pass allows unlimited rides of almost all JR trains, including Hikari and Sakura. It does not cover Nozomi and Mizuho trains.

You can get off and on as much as you like using the non-reserved seating.

If you want to use a reserved seat, it will be separate tickets, so you'll need to do some homework and book you tickets in advance.

Further, there is a tourist information centre at Himeji station which is very helpful and offers free bicycle rental. Also the garden next to the castle, while modern is laid out in classical style & well worth the visit, it often features in period dramas. Enjoy

The JR companies almost don't say "bullet train(s)" in passenger announcements;
they use "Shinkansen" to refer to the railway system, the lines and trains.

Can I get off @ Himeji for (3,4,5hours) and then continue on a later afternoon Sakura / Hikari Bullet Train to Osaka.

Shinkansen is not via Osaka Station.
The only Shinkansen station in Osaka City is Shin-Osaka Station.

Traveling with your Japan Rail Pass,
you can get on and off Shinkansen Hikari, Sakura and Kodama trains;
each train has cars where seats require reservation and cars where seats are secured on a first-come, first-served basis.

From Himeji Station,
Shinkansen trains for Shin-Osaka do not very frequently depart,
and about one third of the trains are Nozomi and Mizuho trains,
which Japan Rail Pass travelers are not allowed to take.

According to the timetable (effective from 2018/3/17):
Eastbound Shinkansen trains
departing from Himeji Station during the 6 hours from 12:00
: HIKARI 468: Himeji (12:02) -- (12:41) Shin-Osaka.
: SAKURA 546: Himeji (12:55) -- (13:24) Shin-Osaka.
: HIKARI 470: Himeji (13:02) -- (13:41) Shin-Osaka.
: HIKARI 472: Himeji (14:02) -- (14:41) Shin-Osaka.
: SAKURA 552: Himeji (14:19) -- (14:48) Shin-Osaka.
: HIKARI 474: Himeji (15:02) -- (15:41) Shin-Osaka.
: KODAMA 740: Himeji (15:22) -- (16:13) Shin-Osaka.
: HIKARI 476: Himeji (16:02) -- (16:41) Shin-Osaka.
: KODAMA 742: Himeji (16:22) -- (17:13) Shin-Osaka.
: HIKARI 478: Himeji (17:04) -- (17:41) Shin-Osaka.
: KODAMA 744: Himeji (17:22) -- (18:13) Shin-Osaka.
: SAKURA 560: Himeji (17:52) -- (18:24) Shin-Osaka.