Originally Posted by
ksandness
... Since you have little time in Japan, I'd suggest flying to KIX and taking the train to Kyoto, which is different from Tokyo.
Or ITM.
Of course, if the OP didn't like paying $120.00 round trip for two from NRT-Tokyo, he probably won't want to pay 3490 yen p/p each way for the Haruka to Kyoto, which is more like $160.00. Or $140.00 to Shin-Osaka. Even with a 3-day Kansai Area Pass, it would be 10k yen - over $120.00.
I don't know what the local airport transit situation is as I always use the shinkansen but it looks like one could build a decent AA/JL trip JFK-NRT-FUK. Fukuoka/Hakata seems like it might be a nicer visit in January than Kyoto or Tokyo.