What is the cheapest way to travel around Osaka-kyoto-tokyo?

Hi there,

I would recommend buying a 7 day JR Pass for your travel to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Tokyo and Nikko and than buy normal tickets for the rest or perhaps a Kansai Pass.

Just looking at possible savings you could really make a home run if you could cover the following with the 7 day JR Pass.

Kyoto - Hiroshima ¥ 13,220
Hiroshima - Miyajima ¥ 570
Miyajima - Hiroshima ¥ 570
Hiroshima - Kyoto ¥ 13,220
Kyoto - Nara ¥ 690
Nara - Kyoto ¥ 690
Kyoto - Hakone (Odawara station) ¥ 11,750
Odawara - Tokyo ¥ 3,640
Tokyo - Nikko (return) ¥ 10,860

For a total of ¥ 55,210 the 7 day JR Pass is ¥ 28,300 so you would save ¥ 26,910. For your other days around Kyoto/Osaka I would recommend buying normal tickets because local travel is not very expansive.
You may be interested in buying a All day Bus pass in Kyoto, they are 500 yen and allow for unlimited travel on buses within the city. This is especially nice because unlike Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto is best traveled by bus. It is also very easy to make savings with because a normal bus ride is 220 yen.

When you are in Osaka and plan on doing some sightseeing, consider a Osaka Unlimited Pass which covers all metro lines and allows free admission to many attractions such as Osaka Castle.

I hope this helps!
Daniel

Note: if you do wish to buy a Kansai Pass note that they are limited to 1 per person / per visit to Japan.