About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Incheon International (ICN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Seoul. The left side delivers the more dramatic takeoff view with Tokyo Bay and the potential Fuji sighting, and during the cruise over the Korea Strait the left side faces south toward the open sea and the Japanese island chain. The right side has a slight edge on landing, but the takeoff spectacle from the left makes it the better overall seat for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT's primary departure runways (34L/34R) head roughly northward, meaning a left-seat passenger faces west toward Tokyo Bay and the Kanto Plain. You get a clear view of the bay's broad expanse and the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo receding into the distance. Mount Fuji, about 100km to the southwest, can appear as a distant snow-capped cone on the horizon on clear days. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, greater Tokyo urban grid, Mount Fuji (distant, southwest horizon), Chiba coastal lowlands.
What can I see when landing at Incheon International in Seoul?
When landing at Incheon International (ICN), sit on the Right side for the best views. ICN's primary arrival runways (15L/15R) bring aircraft in from the north-northeast over the Yellow Sea. A right-seat passenger faces west and southwest, looking out over the Yellow Sea approach and then the tidal flats and islands of the Incheon coast. The left side faces inland toward Seoul's urban mass, but the right side captures the dramatic sea approach and the reclaimed land of Incheon Airport's artificial island. Notable sights include: Yellow Sea (West Sea), Incheon tidal flats and coastal islands, Incheon Airport reclaimed land, Ganghwa Island.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Seoul?
The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Incheon International (ICN) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Tokyo to Seoul flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Tsushima Strait and Korea Strait between Japan and Korea, with the islands of Tsushima and Iki visible below on clear days. The left side looks toward the East China Sea while the right side faces the Japanese archipelago coast of Kyushu in the distance. The route passes over the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula before descending toward Incheon.