Kyoto trip need help

[Cyclamen]

Originally Posted by MMM

There is a Shinkansen from Shinagawa?

Yes, the Tokaido shinkansen leaves from Tokyo to Osaka, and the first stop is actually Shinagawa eki. If you're planning to take the Tokaido sen bound to Shin-Osaka (and the Hikari you've choosen is one of those), every train leaving from Tokyo will stop there, so it would be indeed the best choice.
Shinagawa eki has a very simple structure, and there is a train coming from Narita (I don't remember the name of the line, but it has a small plane as its logo...) that stops just a few platforms away from the shinkansen platforms.

[MMM]

That makes real sense. I always thought the next stop was Yokohama... Maybe because I usually took Nozomi,

[coolpizza]

Thank Cyclamen for your recommendation to Shinagawa station.
I think I will choose to get off there if I stick with my current itinerary.
Though it IS a very TIGHT first night in Japan and 20.06 Hikari #389 is the last Hikari of the day, which means if something goes wrong and I don't catch that one I will be screwed. So from that perspective, I may not buy the JR Pass, just buy the regular ticket and find a coupon shop in Kyoto for a discounted ticket back from Kyoto to Tokyo.

Originally Posted by Cyclamen

Yes, the Tokaido shinkansen leaves from Tokyo to Osaka, and the first stop is actually Shinagawa eki. If you're planning to take the Tokaido sen bound to Shin-Osaka (and the Hikari you've choosen is one of those), every train leaving from Tokyo will stop there, so it would be indeed the best choice.
Shinagawa eki has a very simple structure, and there is a train coming from Narita (I don't remember the name of the line, but it has a small plane as its logo...) that stops just a few platforms away from the shinkansen platforms.

[coolpizza]

It seems Nozomi stops in Shinagawa too
http://www.japanrail.com/pdf/Timetable1-west.pdf

Originally Posted by MMM

That makes real sense. I always thought the next stop was Yokohama... Maybe because I usually took Nozomi,

[MMM]

I must have always been napping!

[coolpizza]

Originally Posted by MMM

I must have always been napping!

I bet you were

Thanks for the great information. Just got one response back from a Japanese consolidator.

-Airline: Japan Airlines
-Airfare: $1089.00 including tax/fee
-Travel Dates: 10/26-----11/2----11/20
-JFK----NRT---ITM/KIX-----PVG/PVG---NRT----JFK

I think the price is not bad at all, and most likely I will take this plan.

- Oct.26 Depart JFK 13.20
- Oct.27 Arrive NRT 16.20
- Oct.27 Depart NRT 18.25
- Oct.27 Arrive ITM 19.45
- Oct.27 Take limousine to KYOTO
- Nov.2 Take the train from Kyoto to KIX
- Nov.2 Depart KIX 10.35
- Nov.2 Arrive PVG 12.15

Some questions for Japan Airline service. Do I need to take care of the baggage at NRT or ITM in this case? Is the service and food good?

Is anyone a member of the JAL Mileage Bank? Any usage for that? I am an infrequent flyer (usually one RT to China and a few domestic trips in US, less than 30,000 miles a year) and not familiar with those mileage program. I currently only have 25,000miles in UA Mileage Plus.
So should I put the mileage into JAL Mileage Bank or not?
I heard JAL became a member of the One-World program earlier this year.

Thanks.