Ease of catching train from Narita 5pm

Arriving Narita on a Monday at about 4.30 pm. I guess ready to get on a train by about 5.30 pm. Have to go to Kinshicho (JR Narita line all the way - I think it will take about 90 minutes). Do you think it will be ok for 4 people with luggage to travel at that time? Or would it be better to hang around Narita for a while to miss the rush hour? (Would the crowds still be a problem by about 7pm?) Do the trains start empty from Narita? Thank you for any advice.

IMO almost any time in Tokyo ,the trains are pretty full ! . My suggestion would be to catch the N'EX from your airport terminal into Tokyo Station. They go every half hour around the time you expressed. The Narita Express is made to take luggage easily with storage areas by the doors. Its a totally reserved seat train, so you won't be jostling with anyone else. You can get a discounted round ticket if you are a tourist for 14 days or less. Get the ticket from the ticket office as you head down to the platform. The N'EX doesn't stop until Tokyo Station. At Tokyo Station transfer to the JR Sobu Line and catch a rapid. The Sobu line is on the same platform as the Narita Express comes into, B5, but on the adjacent platform, so you will probably have to go up to B4 to go down to B5 platform 1-2. Narita Express comes in on 3-4.. Kinshicho is only 3 stops from Tokyo Station on the Rapid, so I wouldn't be waiting around for a break in passengers, its only an 8 minute trip. The same ticket that you used for the Narita Express will work for the JR Sobu line, and you only put it in as you exit Kinshicho station. I think you will have to do a couple of transfers if you use the Skyliner.

You should reach Tokyo til a little before 7pm. And you are going the opposite of peak direction. And yes train start at Narita Terminal 1.

It's not the answer for your question, but just for your information:
If you can catch 17:40 bus, taking the airport limousine and get off at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo is the easiest way to reach Kinshicho station if you have big luggage.
Bound for �gAsakusa, Kinshicho, Toyosu�h
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/areas/bus_stop/nrt/kinshicho_toyocho...

https://www.tobuhotellevanttokyo.com/en-gb/access
This hotel is located within 5 mins. Walk from JR Kinshicho station.

For your situation the "all Tokyo trains are crowded" is much less of a concern leaving from Narita Airport.

The direct train (no transfers) is only 80 minutes and would be a good option in your case. Get the JR Sobu/Narita Line Rapid. People and luggage on a train to/from the airport - very common.

Doing something like the N'Ex to Tokyo and then backtracking (two more trains) would be quite painful, and crowded.

N'EX has a luggage space for airplane users,
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/facilities.html
but no recommend it, bc it is necessary to return at Tokyo stn.
Kinshicho stn fr Tokyo can be reached in 8 mins, but it gets very crowded.
On regular Monday night, unlike Friday, the peak of evening rush finishes earlier,
but instead the congestion level will increase like this.
https://youtu.be/V5dqE0WuJJw

Limo Bus has limits on luggage, read bus web all.
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/guide/
If the amount of luggage is within limits, it is not a bad choice.
Just the fare is a bit expensive than the Rapid train described below.
This route will not be crowded unless encounter larger group travelers.

I recommend Rapid dep at 17:58(fr T1, JR's, regular commuter 15 cars long, no reserved seat).
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=NARITA%20AIRPOR...
You will have to wait a while at Narita Airport, but this train has no transfers to Kinshicho.
Narita Airport (T1) is the first dep stn, so you can sit certainly even if fr T2. (No rail stn in T3)
From Chiba stn(JO 28, urban area) on the way, commuters increases and it gets crowded,
but no worry if you sit near the door, at Kinshicho stn the right door will open.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/stations/609.html
They provides dep boards, in-car display also in-car broadcast in English.
Next to Shin-Koiwa stn(JO 23) is Kinshicho stn(JO 22).
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/SobuLineStop...
This Rapid runs on faster tracks, N'EX also runs, first train is the same Rapid.
https://youtu.be/juVNK60bNOo
The fare is 1320Y (adult/oneway), but if you add 980Y, you can sit comfortable Green car.
However, there is no luggage space like N'EX, it depends on the size of the baggage.

Ordinary cars : (box type 2+2 face to face seat may not good if legs long)
http://nukezo.s601.xrea.com/train/shanai/jr/j-east/e217_1.html
Green cars :
http://nukezo.s601.xrea.com/train/shanai/jr/j-east/e217.html
(the video train is different line's, but car and fare system is the same)
https://youtu.be/32x8nGIB0Tw
This video is also not the same train, but you can use the 5th tips.
https://youtu.be/foPu3eXXDzQ
This video (Japanese) is until the way it actually seats,
a ticket vending machine on the platform and adding the Green car ticket data to "Suica" first.
https://youtu.be/F85SOFI9wB4
Suica?
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

The same fast train is operating even after this time.
You can substitute time to eat at Narita airport, collect travel information (guides),
preview souvenirs or check your plan for any mistakes if you are first timer.
NRT web mentioned for the time the information counter closes and more in English.
https://www.narita-airport.jp/en
https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/sitemap