Originally Posted by FlitBen

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.