Thanks guys!

Txflyer- Point well taken. I'll avoid staying in NRT and go straight to Tokyo.

Kevin- I was trying to get a general feel of the country so I could focus more on the cities I liked on my next trip. I know one can easily spend even 3 weeks in Tokyo (or Kyoto) and still not see everything but with 8 nights in Japan, I still wanted to see the 3 places I've always had an interest in visiting... Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima. I guess I can skip the side trips for next time.

Evergrn- Your suggestion sounds good. What I was thinking is I could easily leave my bag (even though its a small carry on) at the Kyoto/Osaka hotel and stay one night at Sheraton Hiroshima (just take my bag pack for the night) and come back to my Kyoto/Osaka hotel the next day. That way I won't have to worry about going back that night (after a day long trip) and since Sheraton is right across from the station, I can spend the night there and come back to Kyoto area the next day. And call me weird but I actually like checking into different hotels and that's why I travel light. I like the idea of reviewing hotel chains and checking out different properties. If I had family traveling with me, I'd think twice of switching hotels, tho.