Transfer from Nex to Hikari at Tokyo Station

The Narita Express uses the Sobu mainline at Tokyo. The Sobu platforms 1-4 are on the west side of the station, in basement level 5. The Tokaido Shinkansen line to Kyoto uses tracks 14-19 on the east side of the station, above ground level.

Japanese train stations have very clear signs, so you will find it. But you need plenty of time for this transfer because of distance between the platforms.

A better place to switch between the trains is Shinagawa. Narita Express uses Platform 13 there, while Shinkansen to Kyoto uses 23/24. There are no platform 16-20. Much easier transfer.

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/index.html

Above website has station layouts which indicate which trains come on which tracks...

If possible it should be easier to transfer at Shinagawa - a smaller station.....

Agree with the previous posters that if you can avoid Tokyo station you should. Be aware that not all the NEX from Narita stop at Shinagawa station though. Most do but not all.....just check schedules.

As mentioned above the NEX arrives in Tokyo station on the lowest(5th)level east end of the station and the shinkansen level is on the 1st or top level west end which is the total opposite of where you arrive. It is about a ten minute walk if you know where you are going and have been there before and know exactly what to do and expect. If this is your first time in Japan you should seriously allow at least 45 minutes between the time you leave your NEX train till you finally figure out what to do and where you are in Tokyo station.

On the other hand, if you transfer at Shinagawa, you get off at one track and have a two minute walk to whatever track the Hikari shinkansen is leaving on to Kyoto. Same level within sight distance.....very simple, especially with kids and you miss bumping into maybe ten thousand people in the process which is Tokyo station.

Aloha!

Found a excellent website with details & photos to guide you:
http://gutereise09.blogspot.com/2008/07/transfer-from-narita-express-to.html

Anyway decided to do the transfer at Shinagawa Station

Thanks for the inputs

Make sure you have reserve seats if you can because depending what time/day you make your journey, there may be no seats available. So thankful we decided to go to Tokyo vs Shinagawa on our trip south last month because we couldn't get reserved seats any time on any train (Sat). We lined up first and got seats at Tokyo station but by the time the train pulled into Shinagawa all those people had to ride standing up... it was like a subway car all the way to Shinosaka. Maybe this was because it was a weekend?