Thanks so much for the info! I have no chance of rushing anywhere with a 3 year old, but maybe they'll bump us to the front of the line when they see him.
lol, no, the Japanese are very nice but they don't break rules. Unless there is a rule specifying families with children go first, you queue with everyone else.
I would try to limit your time in the airport by having things like e-sim, so no need to pick up a physical sim card, and have Suica card installed in your phone and topped up, or at least know how to buy one at the airport. There are plenty of youtube videos showing this, even like what buttons to press on the screen and how to top up on the machine too. Get yourself familiarised with that can save some time.
Also, depends which airport you land in and where your hotel is, it can be faster and more convenient to take a limousine bus to the hotel. It's just a coach really but they call it limousine bus. Essentially a bus service from airport to the City, stopping by specific locations, mostly hotels across the city. I try to stay at hotels at these stops or one next to it. It makes going to and from the airport much easier. Especially if you have lots of luggage, as some stations, smaller ones, do not have lifts and blocking the escalator is a MASSIVE no no. Like London, you stick to 1 side of the escalator.
Airport Limousine Bus is the leading operator of the airport transportation in Tokyo. Smooth Direct Access to and from Central Tokyo and Narita and Haneda Airport. Bus timetables, maps, travelling time and fares information are all listed in this website.
www.limousinebus.co.jp
This is the site showing the buses from the airports (Haneda is 30mins from Tokyo, Narita is like 90mins away.). It's was 1300 yen from my hotel to Haneda, which isn't bad, but the train is about half that though, but that is from Ikebukuro, so need to change trains, including getting on the Yamanote Line (like the Circle Line in London, so it's always packed).
You can get the ticket for the limo bus to the airport from the hotel front desk, even if you don't stay at that hotel. Just go to the front desk and reserve a seat a few days before, it's what i do. It is much easier to do this on the way back home. Leave the luggage with them after check out and go explore the city, come back to take the bus to the airport. But you pay on the day, cash only.
oh, if you decide to take a Taxi, since there are a few of you, that might be better if you land in Haneda. Remember,
DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR YOURSELF. They have a button that does it.
