Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Tokyo. The right side wins overall primarily because of the Tokyo Bay and potential Mount Fuji approach views at landing, which are among the most dramatic urban arrival scenes in aviation. The takeoff left-side advantage is real but relatively modest — Detroit's geography is interesting but not spectacular. Over the Pacific the views are largely ocean regardless of side, so the landing experience tips the balance to the right.

During takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Left side for the best views. DTW's primary departures on Runway 21L/22L head southwest, then aircraft turn northward toward Canada. The left side gives you a clear view back over the Detroit River, downtown Detroit's skyline, and Windsor, Ontario directly across the water. You'll also see Lake St. Clair to the northeast as the aircraft climbs. Notable sights include: Detroit River and Ambassador Bridge, Downtown Detroit skyline, Windsor Ontario waterfront, Lake St. Clair.

When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. HND sits on Tokyo Bay's western shore, and aircraft typically approach from the north or east on runways 34L/34R or 16L/16R. A right-side seat on approach from the north gives you Tokyo Bay opening up ahead, with the city of Tokyo spreading across the left and center, and the Boso Peninsula across the bay to the right. Mount Fuji is visible to the southwest on clear days from the right side during descent. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji (on clear days, to the southwest), Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo waterfront, Yokohama port and harbor.

The flight from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours nonstop.

The great circle route from DTW to HND arcs far north, crossing southern Ontario and Lake Huron, then over the Canadian Shield and Hudson Bay region, across southern Alaska and the Aleutian Island chain, then descending south over the North Pacific. Key features include the Canadian Rockies visible distantly on the left during the Canadian segment, the Aleutian Islands as scattered volcanic peaks breaking the ocean surface, and the Kamchatka Peninsula's snow-covered volcanic mountains visible on clear days before crossing into Japanese airspace over Hokkaido.