Travelling by train - What is the best pass

I know there have been many posts re trains in Japan but I just wanted advice on the best pass etc for travelling by train in Japan. We are a family of four which is making a brief visit to Japan in April. We arrive at Narita early in the morning and intend to take a train directly out to Kyoto where sadly we can only spend two days to fit in as much siteseeing as possible. After that time we intend to travel back to Tokyo by train for a further two days.

I know there are JR passes which we can purchase prior to travelling but I think these start at a 7 day pass and we are only travelling for 4 1/2 days (back to Narita on the 5th day). What would be the most economical way for us to travel?

Also I have just read that you can send luggage on to hotels. Is this arranged at the airport upon arrival? Sounds like a smart way to travel particularly when time is limited.

Travelling by train - What is the best pass

Luggage transfer service - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

narita-airport.jp/en/鈥vc_05_t1.html

You can arrange this upon arrival.

Travelling by train - What is the best pass

From Tokyo to Kyoto on the shinkansen, you%26#39;re looking at around 13,000yen each way, per person.

A 7-day JR pass is 28,300yen (14,150 for kids) and that entitles you to travel on all JR trains, buses, etc throughout that time.

If I%26#39;m not mistaken (I live in southern Japan so perhaps someone more familiar with Tokyo can confirm this), you can use the JR pass on the Narita Express train into Tokyo, too?

As for sending luggage, yes it%26#39;s a great service! In Japanese it%26#39;s pronounced ';ta-kyuu-bin';. There are a couple of different companies that should have counters at the airport, and your hotels in Tokyo/Kyoto should be able to organise it for you, too. Here is an English web page of one of the most popular companies:

kuronekoyamato.co.jp/english/鈥akkyu.html

April is a beautiful time to be in Japan; not too hot and not too cold. You might also see the cherry blossoms. Have a great time!

You can use - www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi - to compare point-to-point ticket vs JR pass. Make sure to check off the box Except Nozomi.

This is a good deal - http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/