Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to Tokyo. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During departure it captures Lake Zurich and the Alps, and on arrival it faces Tokyo Bay and the coast. Over the long polar-adjacent routing, left side also tends to face south toward Siberian river systems and eventually the Sea of Japan coastline.

During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zurich typically departs on runway 16 heading southeast or runway 28 heading west. On the more common eastward routing toward Japan, a left-side seat gives views over Lake Zurich and the Alps as the aircraft climbs and turns northeast. The Glarus Alps and Säntis massif are clearly visible to the south and southeast from the left side during climb-out. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich (directly below during climb), Glarus Alps to the southeast, Säntis peak (2,502m) to the east, Rhine Valley spreading northward.

When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Narita typically lands on runway 34L or 34R heading south, or runway 16 heading north depending on wind. On the common southward approach over Chiba Prefecture, left-side seats face east toward the Pacific coastline and Tokyo Bay, offering views of the bay's distinctive shape and the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo. Right side faces inland over flat agricultural Chiba plains with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay (broad and unmistakable), Chiba city waterfront, urban grid of eastern Tokyo districts, Pacific Ocean coastline of Chiba.

The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes Approximately 12 to 13 hours.

The great circle route from Zurich to Tokyo passes over southern Germany, Austria or Czech Republic, then across southern Russia and Siberia including the vast Ob and Yenisei river systems visible as enormous braided waterways across the taiga. The route then crosses Lake Baikal — one of the most visually striking features, a long dark sliver in the landscape — before descending over northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula or Sea of Japan, and finally approaching Honshu from the northwest.