Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Anchorage. The right side wins overall because the Anchorage arrival delivers genuinely spectacular mountain scenery — the Chugach range, Cook Inlet, and potentially Denali — which is more dramatic and sustained than the Tokyo departure views. During the cruise over the North Pacific and the Aleutian arc, the right side also offers slightly better angles on the volcanic peaks of the Aleutian Islands as the route curves over the Gulf of Alaska.

During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. Haneda's primary departure runway 34L/34R sends aircraft northward over Tokyo Bay, and the left side gives you a clear view back over central Tokyo, including the dense urban grid of Shinagawa and the waterfront. As the aircraft banks right toward the Pacific, the left side briefly captures the bay and the city skyline before you head northeast. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, central Tokyo urban grid (Shinagawa/Minato districts), Rainbow Bridge and the waterfront reclamation islands, Yokohama port area to the south.

When landing at Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC), sit on the Right side for the best views. Anchorage approaches from the south or southwest typically use runway 07R/07L or 33, and aircraft descending from the northeast over Cook Inlet give the right side a direct view of the Alaska Range including Denali on clear days, plus the Chugach Mountains framing the city. The right side also captures the Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm tidal flats as you descend. Notable sights include: Chugach Mountains (directly east of Anchorage), Cook Inlet and Knik Arm tidal flats, Turnagain Arm, Denali visible on the horizon to the north on clear days.

The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) takes Approximately 8 to 9 hours.

The great circle route arcs northeast over the North Pacific Ocean, passing south of the Kuril Islands chain (visible as a string of volcanic islands), then over or near the eastern Aleutian Islands including Unimak Island with its active Shishaldin Volcano. The route crosses the Gulf of Alaska, where the Kodiak Island archipelago may be visible before the final descent into Anchorage. At cruise altitude the ocean dominates, but on clear days the Aleutian volcanic peaks are unmistakable landmarks.