Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Vancouver. Left side wins both departure and arrival. During the transpacific crossing, the flight arcs northeast over the Kuril Islands and the Aleutian chain, then descends over the BC coast. Left-side passengers face south for most of the Pacific crossing, which offers better light conditions and the eventual views of the BC and Washington Cascades on descent. Right side faces north into the darker Arctic sky for much of the flight.

During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. HND typically departs northward on Runway 34L/34R toward the bay, then turns northeast over Tokyo Bay. Left-side passengers get a clear view back over central Tokyo, including the dense urban grid of Shinjuku and the Imperial Palace grounds, before the aircraft climbs out over the bay. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Imperial Palace grounds and moat, Shinjuku skyscraper cluster, Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba waterfront.

When landing at Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. YVR's primary arrival from the east uses Runway 26L/26R, approaching from the east over the Fraser River delta and landing westward toward the Strait of Georgia. Left-side passengers on final approach look south over the Fraser River delta farmland and the low-lying Richmond grid, while right-side passengers face north toward Vancouver city and the North Shore mountains — however, the overall flight path from Japan crosses the BC interior, and left-side passengers get sustained views of the Cascade Range and Mount Baker during descent, making left the better overall arrival side. Notable sights include: Mount Baker (Washington State), Fraser River delta and its braided channels, Richmond agricultural grid, Strait of Georgia.

The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Vancouver International (YVR) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

The great circle route from HND to YVR passes northeast over the Kuril Islands and the volcanic arc of the Kamchatka Peninsula, then arcs across the North Pacific roughly parallel to the Aleutian Islands chain. The midpoint is over the open North Pacific Ocean at roughly 50-55 degrees North latitude. On the Canadian approach, the route crosses the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, the Fraser Plateau, and descends over the Cascade foothills before reaching the Fraser River delta.