Originally Posted by
kaka
Hassle? In Japan?
Checkin close 20 mins in adv and security is a breeze (Even more of a breeze with status) plus HND is like what, 30 minutes away from the city? Unless you're AT Tokyo station you'll still need to get to tokyo station. And you need to go around the station too (Ok, Shinagawa or Ueno is better...)
I would draw the line at Tokyo-Kyoto; anything further, it's the plane.
Yes, it would be better starting from near Ueno or Tokyo station, which is where I'd be booked anyway. But it would only seem somewhat less of a hassle with big bags along, for which I'd factor another hour at both airports. With the difference narrowed by 1.5 hours, a scenic Shinkansen trip would start to look nice, especially as it would be our first further north and we'd be able to make stops along the way using a pass.