Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sacramento to Tokyo. The left side wins overall. The Sierra Nevada departure view is spectacular and hard to beat, and over the Pacific the left side also tracks slightly closer to the Aleutian Islands arc as the great circle route curves north. The Tokyo arrival on the right is excellent, but the cumulative scenery advantage goes left for the full journey.

During takeoff from Sacramento International (SMF), sit on the Left side for the best views. SMF typically departs northwest on runway 34L/34R, meaning a left turn toward the east puts the Sierra Nevada directly in view. You get a clear look at the Sacramento Valley floor and then the full Sierra Nevada wall rising to the east, including the Lake Tahoe basin on a clear day. Notable sights include: Sierra Nevada range, Sacramento River delta flatlands, Lake Tahoe basin (clear days), Folsom Lake reservoir.

When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. HND approaches from the north or east over Tokyo Bay on runway 34L or 22, and a right-side seat gives you the best view of Tokyo Bay, the city skyline, and the approach over the water. You can clearly see the dense urban grid of central Tokyo, Tokyo Bay's waterfront, and Yokohama to the south. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, central Tokyo urban grid, Yokohama waterfront, Mount Fuji (on clear days, to the southwest).

The flight from Sacramento International (SMF) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

The great circle route arcs well north over the Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Island chain (faintly visible on clear days as dark volcanic islands against gray ocean), crossing the vast empty North Pacific, then descending toward the Japanese archipelago. The Kuril Islands and Hokkaido's coastline may be visible on the left side during descent into Japan. The Pacific crossing itself is largely featureless open ocean with occasional cloud systems.