Transportation Questions

We arrive at Narita T1 at 4:55pm, meaning we will miss the last airport limo bus.

It sounds like we will have to do passport control, luggage pick-up, customs, currency exchange (better to do there than outside Japan?), and possibly wifi pick-up.

We do not have a JR rail pass (we are only traveling to the airport, to and from Kyoto, and back to the airport, other than using the trains within each city - is this the right choice?).

So at the airport, do we then send our luggage to our hotel using the package service, then get on the NEx train to Tokyo Station, then the JR Yamanote line? Are we going to be able to do this with small children, a language barrier, and sleep deprived? :)

where do you stay?

Sorry - Shiba, Minato, Tokyo.

Which hotel?
Your luggage late arrival than check in maybe.
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/index.html

Catch first train from NRT around 6:00pm or later maybe
bc by evening are flight very busy a lot of travelers in and out.
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/flight/today.html

"We arrive at Narita T1 at 4:55pm, meaning we will miss the last airport limo bus."

??? No you won�Lt.

Busses go once every half hour or so until 21:35

Busses go once every half hour or so until 21:35

I guess the OP will stay at Shiba Park hotel, and the limousine bus to it ends at 17:10.

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/platform_searches/index/2/63

However, as suggested, there are other buses going to Shiba area hotels. For example, the OP can choose the bus to Tokyo Prince hotel, departing Narita T1 at 18:20 or 19:25.

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/platform_searches/index/2/61

According to google map, it takes 7 min from Tokyo Prince hotel to Shiba Park hotel.

http://goo.gl/Z1P1Mf

Alternatively, the OP can take a cab from Tokyo station after riding the NEX (NEX direct ticket is 1500 yen per person, which is much cheaper than the limousine bus).

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_oneway.html

The taxi fare should be 1000-2000 yen I think.

Thank you - yes, Shiba Park Hotel. Thank you for the suggestion of the other hotel drop-off.

If we take the train to Tokyo Station, what do we do with our luggage?

Luggage can be sent by Takyubin delivery service from Narita to your hotel. It should arrive the next day.
JR Rail Pass. will pay for itself just Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo. On the last day you can go from Kyoto to Tokyo (Shinagawa station) to Narita using the pass.
The JR pass is also useful around Tokyo, not as much around Kyoto and Osaka, but you can use it on the Shinkansen between those cities - takes only 14 mins.

We're way too late for a JR Pass, I believe. I'll be looking into what else is available today. Our major transit points are:

- Narita to Tokyo
- Around Tokyo, especially Yananote line
- Tokyo to Kyoto
- Around Kyoto
- Kyoto back to Tokyo
- Tokyo back to Narita

Any suggestions are welcome. We are two adults and two children under 6 (which I understand are free, though I assume this means they must sit on our laps), and my husband is quite tall, SK I've been thinking about the green cars.

Besides the Takkyubin delivery service, you can carry on big baggages on NEX.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcYHZ-Ubjo8

At 2:27 you can see what the luggage storage in the NEX is like.

- Around Tokyo, especially Yananote line

Walk to Hamamatsu-cho. Avoid "rush hour" (7:30-9:00 maybe) if possible.

Morning rush hour in Ueno. See 2:30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwV9MGo8YTY

Evening rush hour in Shinjuku. Evening is less crowded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr7F3rTtqVI

- Tokyo to Kyoto

Take Shinkansen Nozomi train. You might better use akkyubin delivery service as Dick suggested. The hotel clerk can help you to send your luggage to your hotel in Kyoto and vice versa.

- Around Kyoto

Since you have little child, avoid bus. If your destination is close to the train/subway stations, take them. If not take a taxi. If it is not so far, just walk. The busiest time is around 2 o'clock. Avoid that time on the busiest attractions such as Kiyomizudera.

- Kyoto back to Tokyo

The same as Tokyo to Kyoto.

- Tokyo back to Narita

The NEX Tokyo direct ticket is available only Narita to Tokyo direction. You might better take the limousine bus.

Enjoy your trip in Japan!

Thank you all very much for your help! This was all a bit last minute so I'm feeling much less prepared than I'd like. Your tips are very helpful.

Will we be out a lot of money by not having the JR Pass?

I'm looking into the Suica card, which I think will be helpful.

When do you fly? There is also the possibility to have the JR pass delivered to your hotel:

http://www.japan-rail-pass.com/common-questions/i-dont-have-enough-tim...

You can use it for Yamanote, too. So you might pay 9000 more without JR pass (if using NEX train to and from Narita)?

9000 yen mind you. I would definitely get the Suica for convenience sake (works on subways in Tokyo and Osaka)

Hello people I need a little help with transportation.I am trying to be proactive in booking my flight within the next 2 weeks to Japan. My wife and I are Jamaicans but she is already in Japan. We are not so familiar with the system of transportation. I need to know the best or easiest way to reach Hamamatsu fro Narita Airport. Please assist.

I need to know the best or easiest way to reach Hamamatsu fro Narita Airport.

It depends on the arrival time. If you arrive at the daytime, Narita express and Shinkansen (Hikari or Kodama) should be good. If you arrive late at night, you might better consider night buses, depending on your budget. In general Shinkansen is faster and more comfortable while the buses are cheaper.

First you should read this section of Japanguide.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2323.html

The flight from Jamaica is 20 hrs to Narita Airport. I know that I will be tired so i will pay any money to reach hm. What about the suitcase, is there any cart to assist to the first bus? You seem to have a good knowledge and I appreciate that. I hope I will get the COE by a month and 2 weeks and one month past already. My wife is a teacher how long you think I will wait Shizuoka Prefecture immigration office?

I know that I will be tired so i will pay any money to reach hm.

Then you should take the fastest and most comfortable route: Take NEX (with NEX Tokyo Direct ticket 1500 yen) to Shinagawa and then Shinkansen Hikari to Hamamatsu.

http://goo.gl/oXmt8r

Note that buy NEX Tokyo Direct ticket and Shinkansen ticket separately. You can buy both at JR ticket booth at Narita airport.

What about the suitcase, is there any cart to assist to the first bus?

Yes, there are, but you should take NEX train rather than bus. It is more comfortable.

As for COE things, I am sorry but I am not familiar with that. You are getting good suggestions in other thread, I think.

Hope you will be fine in Japan.