What type of Train tickets to buy?

I'm travelling to Japan from 3 - 18 Nov 2007. My itinerary as follows:
Day 1-2 Arrival at Tokyo
Day 3 Nikko
Day 4 Odawara
Day 5 Hakone
Day 6 Gotemba
Day 7-10 Izu Island
Day 10 Kamakura
Day 11-12 Tokyo

Realise that many Free Passes uses Tokyo as a base. What type of Train pass should i get to save on cost? How much would it be? Is a 4-day JR pass useful based on this trip?

Thank you so much.
Lynn

I would be using a Nikko Free Pass for Nikko, a Hakone Free Pass for Hakone and a Suica prepaid card for most remaining trips.

Hi Uji, I intend to travel from Osaka to Tokyo and back. And then a day trip from Osaka to Kyoto. All within 7 days. Is the 7-day JR Pass the most cost efficient? If not, pls recommend. Would really appreciate your advise. Many thanks!

If you travel from Osaka-Tokyo & return, as well as a day trip from Osaka-Kyoto then it will work-out to roughly the same as a 7 day JR Pass.

You could also consider a night bus if you are on a budget:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html

Thanks John & Uji. Can the the JR pass be used for travelling within Osaka under the JR West (the Osaka Loop Line)? Just want to confirm. What about in Tokyo? If I want to travel from Ginza to Shibuya and Harajuku, does the JR Pass cover the train ride? Many thanks!

Yes the nationwide JR pass covers those lines.

At Ginza you have to use JR Yurakucho Station (Ginza Station is on the subway lines).

many thanks John.

May I know how far the JR Yurakucho Station is from the Imperial Hotel at Ginza? Many thanks in advance

The Imperial Hotel is not located in the Ginza. It is opposite Ginza from the train tracks, less than 5 minutes on foot from Yurakucho Station.

From Yurakucho station to the Imperial Hotel, you can actually walk alongside the railway track ( Yamanote line), which is aboveground and located behind the Imperial Hotel. As Uji San mentioned it takes about five minutes.

Then is the Imperial Hotel within walking distance to Tsukiji Market? Thanks.

thehote land the market are locared on opposite sides of the Yamanote track. The market is down by the water, a relatively long walk away (30-40 minutes?) by you can take the subway. check on the internet for a map.

Thanks for the info. If we take a taxi from Imperial hotel to Tsukiji Market, how much would you reckon it will cost? Many thanks in advance!