Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to San Francisco. The left side wins on both ends of the flight: a Mount Fuji glimpse during Tokyo departure and the Golden Gate Bridge/San Francisco skyline during arrival, both iconic and rarely matched by the right-side views of open bay and flatter terrain.

During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing HND to the south/east over Tokyo Bay, the left side offers views back over the Tokyo waterfront, Yokohama, and on clear days Mount Fuji rising to the southwest as the plane banks north. The right side mostly shows open bay and Chiba's flat coastline. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Yokohama waterfront, Mount Fuji (distant), Boso Peninsula coastline.

When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving into SFO from the north or east, the left side typically reveals the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco's skyline before the final turn over the bay. The right side sees the flatter East Bay hills with less distinctive scenery. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Bay.

The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes 10h 30m.

Northern Pacific Ocean, with the great circle route passing south of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska's coastline visible on very clear days before descending toward the California coast