Learn more about train to Takayama. Passenger’s review of "Wide View Hida"

Wide View Hida at Toyama stationKanazawa, Toyama, Wakura-Onsen, Fukui
Wide View Hida by KIHA85 series at Toyama station (C) JP Rail
Wide View Hida at Toyama station

Wide View Hida by KIHA85 series at Toyama station (C) JP Rail

Wide View Hida is suspended until further notice due to Takayama line closure by heavy rain storm. Please see Train Operation Status to get the detailed information.

I took “Wide View Hida 6” from Toyama to Nagoya on Apr 27, 2010. This express train is operated mostly between Takayama and Nagoya. Only 4 of 20 round trips are operated between Toyama and Nagoya. Hida 6 is the first departure from Toyama to Nagoya.

I had an ordinary reserved seat at a third raw on the 8th car. This train will combined some more cars at Takayama station. My car number is eight but this was the first car between Toyama and Takayama.

This limited express train is called “Wide View Hida” because the huge windows are equipped. You will enjoy the scenery of mountains, stream and gorge.

The huge glass window gives you a nice view.

The huge glass window gives you a nice view.

Hida 8 departs from Toyama station at 8:00 am. The train went through Toyama suburban area. After the train departed Inotani station at 8:41 am, the train was approaching in the mountain area. You will see the white water of Jintsugawa river. The scenery was better at left hand side. So try to take the seat at the left side. The seat number A or B. (If you take the train to Toyama, it is the right hand side. But the seat number is same, A or B.) You will enjoy the stream of Jintsugawa river until the train arriving at Hida-Furukawa at 9:18 am.

The train arrived at Takayama station at 9:32 am. Takayama is very popular destination for the both international and domestic tourists because it has very traditional Japanese scenery. And also you can access Shirakawago world heritage site from Takayama. Mostly this express train is used to access to Takayama from Nagoya. So another three cars were combined here at Takayama station. My car lost the scenery forward.

Hida Takayama © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO

Hida Takayama © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO

You will get an array of food and drink sales between Takayama and Nagoya only. Don’t forget to grab some food and drink before boarding at Toyama.

After departing at Takayama, you will see Mashitagawa river. The train stopped at Gero station at 10:24 am. Gero is one of the well-known hot springs resort in Japan. After departing at Gero, I saw Hisuikyo canyon at the left hand side. It was around 11:00 am. Hisukyo canyon is located in Hida-Kigogawa Quasi-National Parks. This canyon has a lot of potholes.

After the train stopped at Mino-Ohta at 11:18, the train was approaching Nihon Rhine. It is another name of the canyon in Kisogawa river. It is one of the popular boat cruise in Japan. You may see some boat trip at the left hand side. And then I saw Inuyama castle.

The train arrived Gifu station at 11:39 am and the train went to the reverse way. It arrived at Nagoya station at 12:02 pm.

If you need more information about the limited express train “Wide View Hida”, please refer this page.

Comments

  1. Dinesh Mehandale says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    I will be arriving in Nagoya airport at 9 am on 8th November and need to travel to Takayama by train. I wish to take wide view train. Can I do online booking or can I book only after arrival in Nagoya? Is it possible to book train ticket at Nagoya airport?
    If possible to book online, please provide me the link.

  2. Marlinde Hutting says:

    Dear JPrail,

    In 2016, on May 2, we want to travel from Takayama to Kyoto using the LTD. EXP (WIDE VIEW) HIDA 8 to Nagoya and then the Shinkansen. I am a little worried about how busy it will be because of Golden Week. I would like to purchase the tickets as soon as possible (with a seat reservation too). What are my purchase options? Abroad online is not possible I presume? So perhaps better to do it directly when we arrive in Haneda airport on April 23? Or the day after in Tokyo city….can we buy these tickets at Maihame station?

    Thank you
    Kind egards
    Marlinde Hutting, Netherlands

    • Hi Marlinde,

      As you think, online reservation is not available unfortunately. So I recommend you to book it right after you arrive in Japan. You can book it at either Haneda airport international terminal or Maihama station. Most of JR stations have reservation window that is called “Midori no Madoguchi”. You can book it there.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Antonette says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    It’s me again, can we also buy the tickets for the Wide View Hida at the airport station as soon as we arrive or do I have to purchase it in advance via online? Do you know how much the tickets cost?

  4. Antonette says:

    Hi!

    I’ve been researching on how to get to Takayama from Kansai Airport, and it’s getting really confusing. Good thing I found your website, it really made it easier, I do have a question tho. My husband & I will be arriving at Kansai Airport on Nov 17 in the evening and planning on travelling to Takayama the next day via Osaka, can we purchase our tickets at the airport?

  5. Brenda says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I need an information about JR Wide View Hida.
    I already buy a JR Pass for 7 days, and if I want to go to Takayama from Osaka, I read from hyperdia website, there is a direct train from Osaka.

    But, my question is, should I make a seat reservation / advance booking to board on JR Wide View Hida to Takayama from Osaka? Any extra fee for seat reservation for JR Pass holders?

    Thanks a lot 🙂
    Have a nice day..

    Regards,
    Brenda

    • Hi Brenda san,

      JR Pass covers all reserved seat fee. So I recommend you to book in advance. I usually complete all booking for the train that I will take when I exchange JR pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. Cixinyu says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Can check with you, there’s a direct train from Osaka to Takayama, may I know where to is the ticket gate ? As understand is quite complicated. Which level in the Namba station ?

    As am traveling with 2kids and 2 elderly, best to buy a reserve seat?
    How much is the difference? Reserve and non reserve.

    Thanks.

    Hope to hear from you soon.

    Leelee

  7. PS says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    Your website is indeed very helpful for those planning their visit to Japan, as the Japan rail system is pretty confusing to foreigners.

    I am planning to travel from Kyoto>Takayama>Osaka and from my research, it seems that from Kyoto, passing through Nagoya is the fastest route to reach Takayama. If I were to buy the Japan Central Pass or Takayama Hokuriko pass, please help to advise if this pass can be used on JR trains from Kyoto>Nagoya>Takayama?

    On return journey, can i use this pass from Takayama direct to Osaka? There is a direct train at 15:36pm daily but I am not sure if the pass can be used for this journey ( Limited Express Hida 36 ).

    If Japan central pass/takayama hokuriku pass is not right for this route, is there another pass you will recommend? If I buy single journey fare for this entire route, it is 19,650Yen… so I am looking for a cheaper alternative.

    Thank you very much for your advise.

    • Hi PS san,

      Regarding Japan Central Pass, do you mean Japan Rail Pass?
      Takayama Hokuriku Tourist Pass is the best choice to get Takayama from Osaka/Kyoto. But it does not cover Osaka-Nagoya-Takayama route. You have to take Osaka-Kanazawa-Takayama route. Please fine more info at the link below:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-tourist-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html

      On the other hand, Japan Rail Pass covers any routes to Takayama by train. But if you use this pass for Osaka-Takayama round trip, single fare is much cheaper. Japan Rail Pass 7 days price is 29100 yen.

      If you really want to take Nagoya route, you have to add Kyoto-Nagoya single fare on tops of Takayama Hokuriku Pass. Kanazawa is very nice city and worth visiting. I recommend you to take Kanazawa route on the way to Takayama and pay add fare 6000 yen to take Shinkansen from Kyoto to Nagoya. Even if you pay this extra, it’s still cheaper than round trip fare and JR pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • PS says:

        Dear Takehi-san

        Thank you very much for your prompt reply!
        Since i read good reviews on the scenic route between Nagoya and takayama, i will pay the extra fare from Kyoto to Nagoya then to Takayama.
        On the return journey to Osaka, I will take your advise and travel via Kanazawa since fares are covered by the Takayama Hokuriko pass.
        Thank you very much again for your help 🙂

        PS.

        • Hi PS,

          Yes. It’s very scenic. I have taken that route several times. It’s highly recommended.
          Enjoy your trip.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

          • Yong KC says:

            Dear Takeshi san,

            Good day!

            I planning to travel via JR Rail Pass from Osaka > Takayama > Tokyo > Kyoto.

            Plan A – From Osaka . Kanazawa > Takayama > Gifu > Nagoya > Tokyo > Kyoto

            Plan B – From Osaka > Nagoya > Gifu > Takayama > Toyama > Nagano > Tokyo > Kyoto

            How you will recommend?

            Thank you & regards,
            YONG KC

            • Hi Yong KC san,

              I prefer to take Plan A because Kanazawa is very attractive. But if you have enough time, I recommend you to visit both Kanazawa and Nagano.
              Osaka > Nagoya > Gifu > Takayama > (Shirakawago by bus, not covered by JR Pass) > Kanazawa > Nagano > Tokyo > Kyoto

              You may drop by Nagoya if you want on the way back to Kyoto.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JP Rail

          • Yong KC says:

            Hi Takeshi san,

            Thank you very much!

            Best regards,
            YONG KC

  8. Sucheera says:

    I plan to visit Takayama in October.My flight will arrive at NGO aroud 0800 in the morning. I want to take JR Hida Wide View to Takayama. Could you please tell me about the timetable of this train. Thank you.

  9. Janice says:

    Dear Takeshi san, Many thanks for your website. It has helped me a lot for the travel in Japan which ended just yesterday. Now im safely home and can’t wait to plan for my next trip.

    I had the opportunity to try the Wide View Hida train via Nagoya and i recommend it strongly for anyone planning to make a trip to Takayama. When you take this train, you have a panaromic view of the scenery before reaching Takayama and it is spectacular. Difficult to find words to describe it.

    I took some pictures of the view from the train, so if Takeshi san permits, pls let me know how and i will share the pictures.

    Cheers
    janice

  10. lisa says:

    Hi,

    Which train that covered by JR Pass from Kanazawa to Toyama?
    1- thunderbird
    2- twilight express
    3 – JR Hokuriku Line

    I need to know because I am planning to go to Takayama from Kanazawa but the train need to change at Toyama.

    Thanks

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