The general rule of thumb is that the 7-day Rail Pass pays for itself if it will be used for a round trip Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo PLUS any other travel such as the Narita Express back to NRT for departure. Even if you will be using HND instead of NRT, other travel, such as a day trip to Himeji, would easily take the total over the cost of the Rail Pass.

Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo on Nozomi = just under 28,000 yen (Hikari is a couple hundred less)

7-day Rail Pass = 29,110 yen, so additional travel much over 1200-1400 yen makes it pencil out. Kyoto-Nara round trip = 1420 yen. Kyoto-Osaka round trip = 1120 yen. Plus, the convenience of not buying tickets for local trains is worth something. Just flash the Pass to the attendant and by-pass the turn-styles. I always get a Rail Pass if the cost total will be even close.

The best info on the Japan Rail Pass seems to be here: http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/

For figuring individual trips, HyperDia: http://www.hyperdia.com/en/


Agree with the above comment about travel in July. It will be VERY hot and humid. Be prepared.