Hikari trains - need to reserve?

Just checking hypermedia for general travel times between places (Kyoto to Okayama to Nagoya etc). Luckily the longest is only a couple of hours.
Anyway, some of the trips mentioned the Hikari train, and mentioned 'reserved seat' and a cost.

Do I need to 'reserve' a seat on the Hikari, and do I also have to pay?

I WILL have a 7 day JR pass.

No, hikari trains do not require a seat reservations. Each train has a few cars with unreserved seats.

Meandher,

As Uji says, seat reservations are not mandatory, but they are free with the Japan Rail Pass. Note that if you are using the Hikari Rail Star trains west of Osaka, reserved seats are a comfortable 2+2 business-class style compared to the regular 2+3 for non-reserved seating cars.

My recommendation would be to reserve a seat, as Dave says its free with the JR Pass:peace of mind and guaranteed seat in non-smoking etc

Thanks guys. It depends how stressed we are whether we reserve. I'm stressed just organising the itinerary.

I was under the impression there are very few smoking cars left these days? Its not a problem for me, I smoke, but the wife doesn't and I don't inflict it on her if I don't have to.