Anyone know if the train or limo bus is better to Shinagawa or Radisson Miyako Hotel? It will be Saturday afternoon.
Also, if Anyone knows this hotel and has opinions, I'd appreciate them.

The bus will be definitely more convenient if there is not too much of a wait. Check the bus schedule before heading down to the train tracks, it is on the way.

A very few NEX trains stop in Shinagawa, otherwise you'll have to transfer from the NEX to the Yamanote line at Tokyo station, an uncomfortable proposition if you have much luggage. Other (cheaper) option, transferring from the Keisei Skyliner at Nippori to the Yamanote line.

Side note: the limousine bus desk in NRT doesn't take Amex (anymore).

From 11:13am through 4:43pm, when many transpacific flights arrive, about half of the Narita Express trains stop at Shinagawa. The problem is that the Miyako hotel isn't particularly close to the station, as I recall. Indeed, I don't think it's close to any rail or subway station. Anyone know better, am I confused?

Since the limousine bus will take you directly to the hotel, in this case it would be the preferred alternative.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by monahos:
Side note: the limousine bus desk in NRT doesn't take Amex (anymore).</font>

Since when?

I charged ¥2,900 to my American Express card last Friday evening at a Limousine Bus desk in Narita.

Haven never taken the limo bus, will it be easy to find ticket counter for this? Do you buy in advance and then find a particular bus for a particular hotel?
Any details appreciated. Thanks!

It is very easy to find the ticket counter.
I do not know which terminal you will arrive, but for terminal one, it locates right after the exit from customs.
It has BIG sign for limo bus. You will not miss it.
You do not need to purchase ticket in advance.
You can buy a ticket at the counter. There are a lot of buses to various destinations, so you just ask the ticket agent which bus will take you to the hotel. They will tell you which bus you should take.
It is much easier and less hustle to take bus than Narita Express.

KC747 is right, you can't miss it. Just show up at the counter and buy yourself a ticket; the ticket agent will tell you when and where to get the next bus (there are several "gates" as it's a large operation with many buses going all over Tokyo.) For most locations in central Tokyo you'll find there's usually a bus leaving within 20 minutes. The Friendly bus people run an astoundingly efficient operation at NRT; I was very impressed! Definitely easier than the Narita Express which only runs once an hour and from which you'll need to get on connecting transportation to reach your hotel. However, if you're out and about on your day of departure, you may find it easier to just head down to Tokyo Eki and catch the N'EX for your return to the airport.

The Radisson Miyako Hotel is a very nice hotel. It isn't luxurious by any means, but the rooms measure up to Tokyo standards. Guest rooms are slightly above average size for Japan. They are neatly furnished and quite comfortable. The hotel features a number of very good food & beverage outlets, as well as beautiful landscaping in the back gardens.

Traveling to Shinagawa station, the Miyako offers a complimentary shuttle bus in the mornings (until around 11AM or so). This shuttle DOES NOT pick guests up at Shinagawa—drop off only. After the Shinagawa service ends for the morning, the hotel offers service to and from Meguro station. It drops off and picks up guests about every 20 minutes or so. The hotel is not really convenient to anything, but the shuttle service makes it an OK location to stay.

While you could take the Airport Limo bus to/from the Radisson Miyako (it stops directly in front of the hotel, so it is the most convenient option), I prefer to travel via rail. I also look to pinch pennies, so I take a routing that is a bit longer but significantly cheaper.

Here are some possibilities:

1) Narita Express to Shinagawa for about 2890 Yen. At Shinagawa, take a taxi to the hotel or take the JR Yamanote line to Meguro. At Meguro, take the Miyako shuttle.

2) Take the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori (about 52 minutes) for 1920 Yen. At Nippori, transfer to JR Yamanote line. JR Yamanote line to Meguro. At Meguro, take the Miyako shuttle.

3) Keisei line to Nippori for about 1000 Yen. At Nippori, transfer to JR Yamanote line. JR Yamanote line to Meguro. At Meguro, take the Miyako shuttle.

Please also see:
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~mt5h-nitu/jrs/nex/skynex.htm

When staying at the Radisson Miyako, make sure to visit Tonki for tonkatsu. Yebisu Place is also fun and very convenient to the hotel.

There is also the JR Chuo-Sobu main line express for about Y1400 (I think) which goes directly from Narita to Shinagawa, typically at least twice an hour. It takes at least 100 minutes, but you don't have to change. You could actually ride in comfort on this train for about Y900 more since it has green car service.

Thanks all. Great info.
TransWorldOne is Miyako walking distance from Miguro station? I am a good walker with just me roll aboard. thanks. tom

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dbaker:
Since when?

I charged ¥2,900 to my American Express card last Friday evening at a Limousine Bus desk in Narita.</font>


Grrr... it must have been a rookie agent then who rejected my run-off-the-mill basic green Amex on Thanksgiving day. I didn't argue and paid cash.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 1k-all-the-way:
TransWorldOne is Miyako walking distance from Miguro station? I am a good walker with just me roll aboard. thanks. tom</font>

Definitely not.

I also consider myself a "good walker." In Tokyo, I've found a good sense of direction/intuition to be much more important. Finding a location can be very difficult. Have you been to Tokyo before?

Yes, I 've been a few times, but mostly in Shinjuku. I will take your advice and appreciate all your help. Thanks!