What's your definition of "mid-priced?" Two options come to mind.

The first would be to stay close to Tokyo station, there are a variety of hotels within easy walking distance in a range of price points. You can take the Narita Express (NEX) there and then the Shinkansen to KYOTO the next day. The only drawback is that Tokyo station is HUGE and confusing

The other option, particularly if this is a late arrival/early departure situation would be to stay at a hotel at Shinagawa. Both the NEX and the Shinkansen service this station and it is a ton easier to deal with than Tokyo. But, you're not in the city center.

What's the timing of the arrival and then the desired trip to Kyoto the next day? If this search is just for a hotel to crash for the night I'd certainly suggest Shinagawa for the ease.

Whatever your friend choses, the easiest way to deal with tickets is to visit the JR East Travel Service center at NRT - there's one in each terminal, downstairs by the entrance to the rail station. They can sell both a NEX/SUICA combination, which is good for local transport and SUICA now works for the Kyoto subway/private rain lines as well, and they will also sell the Shinkansen tickets. US credit cards are not a problem. The person who recently helped me was very good about explaining how to use the tickets. If your friend gets a JR pass this is also where you have that validated, although every time I've been through NRT those lines were crushingly long.