Main difference is just that there are a lot fewer domestic flights to Narita, so less flexibility in the schedule but the basics as described above remain.

Depending on your itinerary, you can ship your luggage to Narita. Cost me ¥3100 to ship my checked luggage (based on dimension I believe) and I was on the Shinkansen with just a duffel and backpack.

I will say that I was pretty stressed about going from Kyoto to Narita in one day, especially with just 30 mins to switch from Shinkansen to NEX at Tokyo Station. But it was simple, asked one employee to point me in the right direction then I followed the signs on the floor that are in English. You’ll find the option that works best for you!

Always do Tokaido Shinkansen to NEX or vice versa in Shinagawa, not Tokyo. The NEX platform is quite far down compared to the Shinkansen platform. 5-10 minutes saved by doing it at Shinagawa.

I’m arriving international at KIX with only an hour before the last Haruka departure to Kyoto for the day, so instead I probably want a car service - Blacklane seems pricey.
Found a website Asia Car Service which seems to offer a better value. Has anyone used them before and can comment on them? Any other recommendations on services or modes of transportation to consider?

looks like the direct taxi options listed on KIX website are another good option. Checking out MK seems to be a good local option?

Not a transit question, but it does involve separate tickets. Arrive into HND on JL award ticket. 5 days later depart HND also on JL paid ticket. Any issues with checking in at ORD with JL or immigration in HND?

Hi

Should not be a problem at all
I carry a copy of my itineary showing my outbound flight from Japan in case I get asked but have not been asked at immigration

Regards

Tbs

In this types of scenarios (to Japan, or to other countries), I've been asked at various airline counters for proof of return ticket (or ticket to third destination), especially if the current ticket doesn't have a roundtrip/openjaw

But never asked this at Japan immigration ever. Obviously could also depend on your nationality /visa waiver at immigration, some have less scrutiny.

Still, not a bad idea to have paper/offline electronic copy of itinerary (or travel insurance)

Hello!

My husband and I are travelling with our two children, my husband. We will have 4 checked bags and one double stroller, in addition to light backpacks. We will arrive at Narita T1 around 2:10 PM and planning to depart from T2 at 5 PM on the same day. Considering our luggage, what's the most efficient way to transfer between terminals? Initial research suggests that the shuttle bus might not offer designated luggage storage. Considering this, we're exploring the option of taking a train from T1 to T2 but still the luggage won't be easy to move to another terminal. We are also willing to pay for luggage transfer services if available. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Since basically all of my tickets end in Japan, and I don't have a Japanese passport, I would say that in the far far majority of the cases, I am being asked to present proof of residence in Japan (or alternatively a ticket on a flight leaving Japan). I'd say 90%+ of my flights to Japan that is the case. The majority of these are at JAL check in counters or gates. JAL is probably the most detailed oriented, whereas United seems to not care whatsoever. But I don't fly United much.

So, with a JAL flight, be ready to show an onward ticket at the check-in counter, or at the gate if you arrive on a connecting flight or have an online boarding pass and don't need to to go to check-in.

I will have a paper ticket receipt issued by AA for the JAL flight that leaves Japan 5 days after my arrival. I always carry a paper ticket receipt with the ticket number on the receipt.

I will be flying with JAL ITM-HND and HND-ORD but on separate tickets in late March.

1. These days how early should you arrive at ITM if you have luggage to check-in and connecting to international flight? The ITM site says at least 1 hr, but I think I read somewhere in this thread or another thread in JAL forum 30min should be fine?
2. is 2.5hr layover enough time at HND these days with transfer from T1 to T3 and to get stop by to eat at the JAL Lounge? I will be taking this flight in late March
3. If I have another separate ticket on UA at ORD, any chance JAL could tag my luggage all the way through (I know I have to pick up bags at ORD, but at least I can just drop off right after customs)

30 minutes is the actual cut of for check in for international connections. And with separate tickets and luggage to check, it will take a bit time, so I'd arrive with a bit of leeway to the cut off time.

1. At ITM, JAL will receive and check/tag your luggage through to your international destination, even when on separate tickets and flying on a non-affiliated airline out of HND. There is a special check-in counter for international transfers in Tokyo, different from the machines used for purely domestic flights. That takes a bit more time, so 1 hour is a good idea.

Arriving NRT mid afternoon. Departing HND late morning the following day.

Best to find a hotel around NRT or HND for the night? Thinking HND so the transportation is behind me.

Thks.