Here is my current plan after reading numerous threads about traveling in Japan:
- JAL 0005 ETA at Narita Airport Terminal 2 - 16:20
- Clear immigration - 17:00 (probably)
- Pick up luggage and carry through customs - 17.30
- Walk to GPA counters / pay for suitcase storage - 18.00
- Go down to the railway station downstairs. Go to the JR counter and exchange JR PASS there and reserve seats for RT to Kyoto. - 18.30
- Take Narita Express departs at 18.46 - arrives Tokyo 19.51 - connect to 20.06 Hikari #389 - arrives Kyoto 23.00
http://www.japanrail.com/pdf/Timetable1-west.pdf
- Go to Karasuma side of station and take a cab to my hotel
- Dinner in Kyoto - _
Any advice to make the trip cheaper and simpler will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks you all for providing great information here!