Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Tokyo. The Haneda approach on the right side delivers the most dramatic single view of the flight — Mount Fuji, Tokyo Bay, and the city skyline simultaneously on a clear day. The takeoff left-side DC views are good but the urban scenery is less iconic than Fuji on arrival.

During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. IAD's primary departure runway 01R/19L means northbound departures swing left over the DC metro area. A left seat gives you a clear look at the Potomac River corridor, the Capitol Mall, and the dense urban grid of DC proper as the aircraft climbs northeast toward the polar route. Notable sights include: Potomac River, Washington DC Mall and monuments, Chesapeake Bay (distant), Blue Ridge Mountains to the west.

When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. HND sits on Tokyo Bay's western shore, and aircraft typically approach from the north or northeast on runway 34L/34R, meaning the final approach tracks southward over the bay. A right seat faces west toward central Tokyo, giving you Shinjuku and the city skyline, Mount Fuji on the horizon to the southwest, and Tokyo Bay beneath you. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji (distant southwest), Tokyo Bay, Shinjuku skyscraper district, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo waterfront.

The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours westbound.

The great circle route arcs north over southern Canada, crosses Hudson Bay, then tracks across the vast boreal forests and tundra of northern Canada and Alaska. The flight passes near or over the Aleutian Island chain in the North Pacific, then descends over the open Pacific toward Japan's Tohoku coast. Passengers may see sea ice in the Bering Sea region and the volcanic peaks of the Aleutians if routing passes close enough at lower latitudes.