Originally Posted by
flamingos
I feel like I’m going to be pushing it to get into Central Tokyo before rush hour, assuming that starts around 7am. I’ll be staying near the Shiodome station. Is that typically with or against rush hour traffic? I’m not sure if there’s much to do around my hotel at that time so am open to going to the other side of Tokyo.I just really want to avoid rush hour traffic and want some place to hunker down while that passes.
Ignore the dire warnings about rush hour. Central Tokyo is quiet at 7:00 AM on weekdays, and deathly quiet at that time on weekends.
To reach Shiodome from Haneda, take a Keikyu line train that connects to the Asakusa line. Get off at Shimbashi (A10). From there, you can walk to Shiodome in 5-10 minutes, but in your case I recommend taking a cab since you're unfamiliar with the area and you have a toddler and luggage in tow.
Note - On the Keikyu platform at Haneda airport, you will see trains for various destinations - You want a train that will go via the Asakusa line. That means a train that's heading in the direction of Narita, Inba medical university, or Inzai Makinohara. If you're unsure, just ask a member of staff for the train to Shimbashi. If you miss one, there will be another shortly after. (Don't be persuaded to take a train that's going "in the right direction" but stopping short of Shimbashi).
You are virtually guaranteed a seat because the train starts at the airport.