Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Beijing. The left side wins overall due to the spectacular Tokyo Bay and potential Mount Fuji view on departure, which is more visually dramatic than the Beijing approach scenery. Mid-flight over the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf, the left side also faces south toward open water, which is less interesting, but the departure views tip the balance. If Mount Fuji is visible on departure, the left seat is exceptional.

During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. Haneda typically departs northward or westward on runways 34L/34R or 16L/16R. On a northbound departure toward Beijing, the left side gives you Tokyo Bay sweeping south, with the dense urban grid of central Tokyo and the distinctive waterfront reclamation islands visible. Mount Fuji appears to the southwest on clear days as the aircraft climbs and banks northwest. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay and reclaimed waterfront islands, central Tokyo urban grid, Mount Fuji (southwest, clear days), Yokohama port area.

When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Right side for the best views. Beijing Capital Airport typically uses runways 01/19 or 18L/36R, with arrivals often from the south or southeast. On approach from the east-southeast, the right side faces south toward central Beijing, giving views of the city's historic core, the ring road system, and the Forbidden City district. The left side faces north toward the more industrial and mountainous terrain. Notable sights include: Beijing urban ring road grid, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square area, Olympic Park (Bird's Nest stadium visible from low altitude), Yanshan foothills to the northwest.

The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Capital (PEK) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.

The flight tracks northwest over the Kanto Plain, crosses the Sea of Japan (East Sea) roughly between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese coast, passes over or near the Yellow Sea, then crosses the Bohai Gulf before descending over the North China Plain toward Beijing. The Korean Peninsula may be visible to the south on clear days. The Bohai Gulf coastline and the flat alluvial plains of Hebei Province dominate the final hour of flight.