Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Madrid to Tokyo. The right side scores 3.5 versus left's 2.5 due to Tokyo's exceptional landing approach through Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay, with Mount Fuji visible on clear days and one of the world's densest urban landscapes. Madrid's departure is scenic but brief, and the westbound cruise over the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Central Asia offers limited dramatic terrain—mostly open water, desert, and high plateaus with few distinctive landmarks visible from cruise altitude. Tokyo's arrival sequence provides concentrated visual drama that outweighs Madrid's modest takeoff advantage.

During takeoff from Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Madrid's departure northwestward offers immediate views of the Spanish meseta and Sierra de Guadarrama foothills. The city sprawl and surrounding plateau provide more visual interest than the flat terrain to the right. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama (north), Madrid urban grid and Retiro Park, Tagus River valley, Spanish central plateau.

When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. Tokyo's approach from the west crosses Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay, offering dramatic views of Japan's densest urban landscape, Mount Fuji on clear days, and the Kanto Plain's intricate geography. The landing sequence provides far superior scenic value compared to the long oceanic approach from the west. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji (visible on clear days, southwest), Sagami Bay coastline, Tokyo Bay with Rainbow Bridge and harbor infrastructure, Kanto Plain urban sprawl.

The flight from Barajas (MAD) to Tokyo International (HND) takes 11h 50m.

Mediterranean coast (southern Spain/North Africa), Atlas Mountains (Morocco/Algeria), Sahara Desert, Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, Persian Gulf, Hindu Kush and Pamir ranges (Afghanistan/Tajikistan), Taklamakan Desert (China), Tian Shan mountains, Gobi Desert, and the North China Plain before descending into Japan