Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Tokyo. The right side wins overall because the departure view over the Yangtze estuary and Chongming Island is genuinely spectacular and unique, and during cruise the right side faces south toward the East China Sea and the Ryukyu Islands chain. The landing view on the left is excellent but the departure experience on the right is the highlight of this route.

During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. PVG's runways 16/34 and 17/35 mean eastward departures over the East China Sea are common, but northbound departures toward Japan typically use runway 34L/34R heading north. On a northbound climbout, the right side gives you a clear view back over the Huangpu River delta, Pudong's skyline, and the sprawling Yangtze River mouth to the northwest. The left side faces open water almost immediately. Notable sights include: Yangtze River mouth (massive brown sediment plume visible from low altitude), Pudong financial district skyline, Chongming Island (large flat island in the Yangtze estuary), East China Sea coastline.

When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. HND sits on Tokyo Bay's western shore, and aircraft typically land on runways 16L/16R or 22 approaching from the northeast or east over the bay. On approach from the northeast, the left side gives you Tokyo Bay, the city of Yokohama, and the dense urban grid of central Tokyo. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay (broad enclosed bay with heavy ship traffic), Yokohama port and city, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo waterfront, Mount Fuji visible on clear days 60 miles to the southwest as a distant snow-capped cone on the horizon.

The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The route crosses the East China Sea, passing roughly over or near the Ryukyu Islands chain (Okinawa visible on clear days as a small green island from cruise altitude), then crosses the Osumi Strait and the southern tip of Kyushu, before tracking northeast over Shikoku and the Kii Peninsula toward Tokyo. The East China Sea below is open water for most of the flight with occasional island groups visible as small dark specks.