Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Chicago. The right side delivers the more dramatic and memorable single moment of the flight — the view of Tokyo Bay and Mount Fuji on departure is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. The Chicago arrival on the left is good but the flat Midwest approach is less visually striking. Right side wins overall for the Tokyo departure experience alone.

During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. HND typically departs northward on runways 34L/34R or eastward on 05, and a right-side seat gives you the best view of Tokyo Bay and the city sprawl as you climb out. You'll see the dense urban grid of central Tokyo, the bay's distinctive shape, and on clear days Mount Fuji to the southwest becomes visible as you gain altitude and bank northwest. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji (to the southwest at distance), central Tokyo urban grid, Yokohama waterfront.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Flights from Tokyo approach O'Hare typically from the east or northeast, and aircraft usually land on westward-heading runways (09L/09R or 10L/10R). A left-side seat on approach gives you a clear view of Lake Michigan's southern shoreline, the Chicago downtown skyline, and the dense suburban grid of the North Shore as you descend. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan southern shoreline, Chicago downtown skyline (Willis Tower, John Hancock), North Shore suburban grid, O'Hare airport complex.

The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 12 to 13 hours westbound (Tokyo to Chicago), though this route travels eastward across the North Pacific, typically 12.5 to 13.5 hours depending on jet stream.

The great circle route crosses the North Pacific Ocean, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain (Alaska), then over the Gulf of Alaska and the southern coast of Alaska. The Canadian Rockies may be visible on the distant horizon as the route descends toward the continental US. The vast majority of the flight is over open ocean with no land features visible.