Train from Narita to Kyoto

I am arriving at Narita 9am March 26. Will it be possible with JR Green Pass, to take Express train to Tokyo and then connect Hikari without delay for Kyoto, or are advanced bookings required? Can reservations be made at JR office when picking up passes?

I am arriving at Narita 9am March 26. Will it be possible with JR Green Pass, to take Express train to Tokyo and then connect Hikari without delay for Kyoto, or are advanced bookings required? Can reservations be made at JR office when picking up passes?

It will take approx 4 hours from Narita to Kyoto, and after the 15th March all Hikari Shinkansen will stop at Shinagawa, which is an easier location to change trains.
You can make seat reservations when you pick up your JR Pass.

Thanks Philip. I have an expectation then that neither trains would be fully booked and there would not be a long delay, is this a reasonable understanding?
Also, thanks for the tip about Shinagawa.
B-B

Hyperdia Timetable doesn't show the Shinagawa connection, maybe it needs updating.
Does the Narita Airport Express travel to Shinagawa? Even using the Tokyo connection the time available on Hyperdia suggests 25 - 30 minutes transfer which I assume would be adequate for aged folk like us.

Hyperdia actually shows the data as of Dec 2007. I am sure they will update some days after March 15th 2008. There is the Narita Express 12 from Narita Airport 10.16 h arrival Shinagawa 11.22 h. Departure 11.40 h by hikari 411 arrival Kyoto 14.14 h. Yes, a transfer time of 18 min in Shinagawa station or 25 min in Tokyo station is dueable. As it will be a Wednesday midday I do not expect the hikari to be heavily booked.

I am arriving at Narita 9am March 26. Will it be possible with JR Green Pass, to take Express train to Tokyo and then connect Hikari without delay for Kyoto, or are advanced bookings required? Can reservations be made at JR office when picking up passes?

I'd show the revised connections.
At Shinagawa you can change trains in 6 to 7 minutes, while you need to spend 15 minutes at Tokyo.

Five Narita Express services don't stop at Shinagawa. If you coincident with them, you need to change at Tokyo.

New schedules of Narita Express from Narita Airport (NRT) to Shinagawa, and onto Kyoto on Shinkansen Hikari unless specified (valid from 15th March)
NRT-Shinagawa(Tokyo)-Kyoto
7:42-9:12 / 9:40-12:14
8:11-9:36 / 10:10-12:48
8:52-10:04 / 10:40-13:14
9:15-10:30 / 10:40-13:14
9:45-10:57 / 11:10-13:48
10:15-11:30 / 11:40-14:14
10:43-11:53 / 12:10-14:48
11:15-12:30 / 12:40-15:14
11:45-12:57 / 13:10-15:48
12:15-13:30 / 13:40-16:14
13:15-14:30 / 14:40-17:14
13:45-14:52 / 15:10-17:48
14:15-15:16 Tokyo 15:33-18:14
14:45-15:57 / 16:10-18:48
15:15-16:15 Tokyo 16:40-19:14
15:45-16:52 / 17:10-19:48
16:15-17:18 Tokyo 17:33-20:14
16:45-17:57 / 18:10-21:48
17:14-18:18 Tokyo 18:33-21:14
17:43-18:55 / 19:10-21:58
18:14-19:17 Tokyo 19:33-22:14
18:46-20:01 / 20:10-22:56 (last Hikari between Monday and Saturday)

there is no need to worry about which trains stops or don't at Shinagawa as when you reserve at Narita they will give you the right connections. I have reserved many times trains for travel involving several changes of trains and it always works fine. you may want an idea of the length of your trip. just average a couple of answers from Hyperdia and Jorudan

Thanks to all for your input. I'm now sure we will get along fine.
B-B

How about luggage? You have to be fast with your luggage, In other words you need to get it off the train quickly, the driver won't wait for you.