Thanks to the both of you. I still have a lot of planning, obviously. I'm torn between wanting to get maximum value of the JR pass, but not going overboard on what's actually feasible. I'm now thinking my 4 nights at HR Osaka might be better suited if I changed it to 2 nights (for day trips Kobe and Nara), and then spend 2 nights at a more central Osaka hotel for visiting Osaka itself.