Train from Nikko to Kyoto

The JR local lines and the Shinkansen are behind different faregates. I think you can get a combined ticket, but really it would be in effect 2 different tickets with 2 different seat reservations.(If you can even reserve tickets on the JR Nikko line)

There are few trains that go through Tokyo. Most likely you will have to stop in Tokyo and change trains. So really more likely to be 3 trains and 3 seat reservations.

It might be easier to just pick a time in Kyoto. Also remember that Kyoto station is HUGE. Make sure you pick a good place to meet.

Thankyou. If I have to buy 3 separate tickets, how long do you think I should I allow between connections for doing this between trains? What's the chance of not being able to buy a ticket for a particular train? I'll be travelling on a Saturday in April.

Would this work?
13.05pm JR Nikko Line to Utsunomiya (arr track 5 at 13.46) - 13.58 Shinkansen Yamabiko 140 to Tokyo (dep track 4, arr track 21 at 14.48) - 15.00 Shinkansen Nozomi 233 (dep track 14).

Thankyou. If I have to buy 3 separate tickets, how long do you think I should I allow between connections for doing this between trains?

5-10 minutes?

What's the chance of not being able to buy a ticket for a particular train? I'll be travelling on a Saturday in April.

You dont need to book tickets in advance. You can always travel in the unreserved cars if things get full, but they rarely do.

13.05pm JR Nikko Line to Utsunomiya (arr track 5 at 13.46) - 13.58 Shinkansen Yamabiko 140 to Tokyo (dep track 4, arr track 21 at 14.48) - 15.00 Shinkansen Nozomi 233 (dep track 14).

Yes that works. Depending on what time you want to meet your friend, I might actually leave a little later so as to not waste as much daylight.

As above, you don't need much time to make the connections, and things should be well sign-posted for the Shinkansen.

Just in case, it should be easy enough to find WiFi around Kyoto station: there are a couple of Starbucks in the basement of a mall that abuts the station, and they should have free WiFi. The tourist office on the second floor of Kyoto Station may have free WiFi. If you need to send her an email after you arrive, you should be able to do it.

Kyoto Station is pretty big, and often very busy. There are multiple exits, and multiple floors. If you want to meet your friend there, you'll need to carefully plan a specific spot to meet. I'd suggest the main tourist office in the station, since it's very well sign-posted from throughout the station, and there's only one. It's on the second floor, near one of the Shinkansen exits.

The tourist office on the second floor is a good suggestion.Easy to find and there is a lot of stuff in there that you can use to pass the time waiting,if necessary.

We had planned to meet at the main entrance Karasuma Street side, but the tourists office sounds a better idea, thanks. It will be good to have the wifi in case plans go wrong!

I've never tried to use it personally, but the internet seems to think there's free Wifi available at the tourist office in the station.

Don't try and meet at the "main entrance". There's a lot that could go wrong...

You’ve convinced me, now I will try to convince my friend... Thanks for all the help here.

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