Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sapporo to Tokyo. The right side wins at takeoff with the Shikotsu volcanic landscape, but the left side delivers more consistently across the full flight: the Pacific coastline of Tohoku during cruise, and the dramatic Tokyo Bay and Fuji approach on landing. Over the full route the left side has more to offer.

During takeoff from Chitose International Airport (CTS), sit on the Right side for the best views. CTS runways 01L/01R point roughly northward for departures heading south toward Tokyo, meaning a right-bank turn southward puts the volcanic peaks of Shikotsu-Toya National Park on the right side. You get a clear look at Lake Shikotsu and the cone of Tarumae-zan as the aircraft climbs out and turns south. Notable sights include: Lake Shikotsu (caldera lake), Tarumae-zan volcano, Fushiko River lowlands, Pacific Ocean coastline east of Tomakomai.

When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving at NRT from the north, aircraft typically approach on runway 34L/34R heading southward, or on runway 16 heading south after a northerly approach. On a standard ILS approach from the north descending over Chiba Prefecture, the left side faces west toward central Tokyo. You get a clear view of Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo skyline, and the Boso Peninsula coastline on the right, but the left side captures the dense urban sprawl of greater Tokyo, the bay waterfront, and on clear days the outline of Mount Fuji far to the southwest. Notable sights include: Greater Tokyo urban sprawl, Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji on the distant southwest horizon (clear days only), Tone River delta lowlands.

The flight from Chitose International Airport (CTS) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

The flight tracks roughly south-southwest over the Pacific coast of Tohoku, passing over or near Sendai Bay and the Sanriku coastline. The Ou Mountain Range runs parallel to the left side during cruise. The Kitakami lowlands and Abukuma Plateau are visible on clear days. Further south, the Kanto Plain opens up as the aircraft begins descent toward Narita.