Wide View Hida is the limited express train which connects Nagoya, Takayama and Toyama. This train equips very huge windows. It offers very scenic view through this panoramic window along the route. That is why this train is called “Wide View”.
This train is a primary way to get Takayama. This has been very popular for the tourists from overseas in these days. This train is fully covered by JR Pass. Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers between Nagoya, Takayama and Toyama. I will explain about this train in this post.
Timetable and Route
Wide View Hida runs once an hour between Nagoya and Takayama. A few trips are extended to operate to Hida-Furukawa and Toyama. It takes 2.5 hours to get Takayama from Nagoya and 4 hours to get Toyama from Nagoya.
And also one round trip runs between Osaka and Takayama. If you take this Osaka departure Wide View Hida, you can get Takayama directly from Osaka, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto.
You can find the timetable in the link below:
Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine
This train departing from Osaka is coupled with the train from Nagoya at Gifu.
Please find the train operation route in the map below:
Accommodation
You can find the interior of this train and the scenery from this train in my YouTube movie below. Please watch to find more information:
Wide View Hida is serviced by KIHA-85 series. This train has huge glass windows which give you the spectacular scenery along Takayama line. “Wide View” is a worthy of the name.
This series has two types of Green car that are 2+2 seat configuration and 2+1 seat configuration. 2+1 seat configuration is wider and has a bigger leg space. The leg space is 1,160mm on 2+2 seat configuration and 1,250mm on 2+1 seat configuration. 1,160mm is the standard. So 2+1 seat gives you a great deal! If you want to take this seat, try to reserved a seat on car#10. 2+2 Green car is always at the middle of the train. 2+1 is always at the front of the formation. And also Ordinary class is good too. The leg space is 1,000mm. This is bigger than the other train’s ordinary seat.
When you take this train at Nagoya, the seat is set with the back toward. Because this train change the direction at Gifu. It takes only 20 minutes from Nagoya to Gifu. You can change to the front toward if you want by yourself.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
Hotels in Takayama
Hotels and Ryokans in Shirakawago
Hotels in Nagoya
Train formation
There are many train formations. Some Wide View Hida do not have Green car.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
NR | R | R | R |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
NR | R | R | R | R | NR | G |
Car#1-4 operate from Nagoya to Takayama. And Car#8-10 operate from Nagoya to Toyama
1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
NR | R | R | R | NR | G |
Car#1-3 operate from Nagoya to Takayama/Hida-furukawa, Car#8-10 operate from Nagoya to Toyama
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
NR | R / G | R | R |
In car #2, there are ordinary reserved seats and Green seats.
1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | R | R | NR | R / G | R | R |
This formation is used for Osaka departure and Nagoya departure combination. Car #1 to #3 run to/from Osaka and the rest of cars run to/from Nagoya. These two train sets are coupled / uncoupled at Gifu station and run together between Gifu and Takayama. In car #6, there are ordinary reserved seats and Green seats.
Images
Green seat 2+2 configuration
Green seat 2+1 configuration
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Suggested deal
JR Pass covers this train. But if you visit Takayama, Shirakawago, Toyama and/or Kanazawa from Nagoya, Osaka or Kyoto, Takayama Hokuriku Area Touirst Pass is recommended. Please find more informaiton in the link below:
Coverage of other deals
As I mentioned above, JR Pass covers the limited express Wide View Hida fully. This is only deal to cover this train fully.
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers between Nagoya, Gifu, Gero, Takayama, Hida-Furukawa and Toyama. This pass does not cover between Kyoto and Gifu.
Hokuriku Arch Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass and Hokuriku Area Pass covers between Toyama and Inotani only. You cannot get Takayama by these passes.
Comments
Hello Takeshi-san,
Thank you for all your advice!
I was wondering w hat you think the best idea is for me to do. My partner and I have the ordinary JR pass and want to go to the Takayama festival on the 14th April. We will be travelling from Kyoto and we are staying in Gero that night (14th April). Do you think it would be best to travel direct to Takayama then travel back to Gero after the night festival? Or should we stop at Gero to check in then continue to Takayama later that day? I am worried we may not find seats.
Thank you for your help,
Kate.
Hi Kate san,
I recommend you to check in Gero hotel first because you may not be able to find the storage in Takayama station either. If you are okay visiting Takayama with luggage, you can to get Takayama first.
Anyway try to book your trip right after you exchange your JR Pass. You can book all train when you exchange the pass if you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will travel to Japan by this coming Apr, may I seek your best advice when should start activate the 7days JR pass?
09-haneda
10-11 Tokyo
12- Tokyo to Osaka
13-Osaka/Kyoto
14-Osaka
15-Nagoya
16-Nagoya
17-Fuji
18-Matsumoto
19-tateyama
20-takayama
21 back to Tokyo
22 bck to msia
Appreciate it.
Thanks and Rdgs
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
7 days pass does not work for this plan. 14 days pass is recommended.
If you have already got 7 days pass and cannot change it, 15 is the best day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
May I check tateyama kurobe option ticket (one-way) does it include in JR pass?
Thanks and Rdgs
Wendy
Hi Wnedy,
It’s not included in JR Pass. You need to buy it on top of JR pass.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I would like to make a plan to visit in April month to:
1. Takayama (1 nights)
2. Tateyama (1 nights)
3, Takyama (1 nights)
4, Shirakawago, (1 nights)
5. Kyoto (1 nights)
6. Osaka. (2 night)
Am planning to fly into Nagoya and from there travel to these places. Would you be able to assist in sharing what is the best transport to travel around these places?
Hi yukie,
You can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
It will cover your trip until you get Kyoto. But you have to add single fare to get Nagoya station from Chubu airport and from Toyama to Tateyama. Tateyama is outside coverage area.
You may use local deals for Kyoto and Osaka.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
If you need to go back to Chubu, you need to add single fare or Kintetsu rail pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I would like to get to Osaka from Takayama in May. Is there any way that the JR pass will cover this? Trying to get most out of pass.
Hi Samantha,
This train is covered by JR Pass.
There is one round trip between Osaka and Takayama as you read the post above. If you cannot take this direct train, go to Nagoya and transfer to Shinkansan. It’s also covered by JR Pass fully.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
We are a group of 6 and plan to visit Osaka-Takayama-Shirakawa-go-Kyoto-Osaka.
1) We will be arr Osaka on 4/April late evening, plan to stay one night near Osaka International Airport (Not Kansai airport) – (any better adv?)
2) 5/April – leave for Takayama from Osaka (which type of transportation is easy and cheapest? (we have luggage)
3) 6/April – half day tour to Shirakawa-go n back to Takayama
4) 7/April – Takayama to Kyoto (what is your best adv on transportation and how?)
5) 9/April – Kyoto to Shin-Osaka (we stay near shin-Osaka)
6) 12/April – Shin-Osaka to International airport (any bus or mode of transport is easy for us as I m sure by then we should have more luggage.)
Thank you. 🙂
Hi Carise,
I recommend you to use Nohi bus.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/kyoto_osaka.html
This is ONLY direct transportation to get Takayama. Reservation is required and don’t forget it. You may find the link to make a reservation in the link above.
Please do not ask me about this bus service. I have never taken it before.
For transfer between airport and Osaka, please see the official site.
http://osaka-airport.co.jp/en/access/bus/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, we are a party of 3 arriving at Nagoya Chubu International Airport on 16 March at 3:30pm. After immigration and customs, may be we will be free from 5pm. We want to go straight to Takayama from there. We have no luggage. What is the best route to get there please?
Hi Anna,
The following route is recommended:
Meitetsu railway / Chubu airport – Nagoya
JR Limited Express Wide View Hida / Nagoya – Takayama
Please see the following link to get the timetable of Meitetsu.
http://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/timetable/centrair/timetable/access_e05_01.html
Wide View Hida depart from Nagoya at 17:43 and 19:43. It takes 2.5 hours to get Takayama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
You may get the detailed timetable and fare at hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, Takeshi-san,
We are planning a visit to Takayama from Osaka and returning to Kyoto. With the Takyama Hokuriku Pass, I think we need to go via Kanazawa to Takayama. Do we have to return via the same route in reversal? Our stay is short and I don’t want to spend too much time on the train. Or, would you suggest we just buy the Japan Rail pass and return on a faster route?
Thank you,
Myrtle
Hi Myrtle san,
As long as you use this pass, you have to take either following route:
Takayama (Nohi bus via Shirakawago) Kanazawa (JR train) Kyoto
Takayama (JR train via Toyama) Kanazawa (JR train) Kyoto
Trip time is not much different between these routes. But you may take different way between Kanazawa and Takayama.
JR Pass is too expensive. If you don’t want to take these routes, take Limited Express train to Nagoya. The pass covers until you get Nagoya. And then pay extra to take Shinkansen to get Kyoto. You have to pay about 5500 yen. And trip time is one hour shorter than Takayama-Kanazawa-Kyoto route.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your reply Takeshi San!
No problem, Myrtle san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
From 2/7 to 2/12, my family and I will be traveling from Nagoya to Wakura. We have purchased Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass for three of us. Please help with some information for the trip.
1. The five day pass meant from 2/7 21:00 to 2/12 21:00 exactly or it is anytime from 2/8 to 2/12?
2. After we arrive at the Nagoya airport, can we use the pass to take the Meitetsu train or”μ-SKY” to Nagoya train station?
3. We ar going to take the bus fromTakayama station to Shinhotaka Ropeway. Is Takayama JR train station close by the Nohi bus station? Or they are the same building?
4. Can I use the pass and take LTD. EXP NOTO KAGARIBI from and to Kanazawa to Wakuraonsen? or this train does not include in the pass?
5. Can I use the pass and take o LTD. EXP SHIRASAGI from and to Kanazawa to Nagoya? or this train does not include in the pass?
Thank you for your reply.
Hi Sue san,
1. It’s valid from midnight to midnight. So if you start using it on Feb 7th (even if you start at 21:00), it’s expired on Feb 11th.
2. No. Meitetsu is not covered.
3. It’s next to JR Takayama station.
4. No. It’s outside coverage area.
5. No. You cannot go back to Nagoya by this route. You have to take JR train via Toyama and Takayama or Nohi bus via Shirakawago, JR train via Takayama.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thank you for your reply.
Three more things that I would like to confirm with you.:
1. With the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, I can unlimited take Nohi bus, is it correct?
2. Will it be possible to book the train ticket online? or is it better to go to the Nagoya ticket counter?
3. Will it be possible to reserve the Nohi bus seats online?
Thank you.
Sue
Hi Sue san,
1. As long as you travel in coverage area, you can take Nohi bus as many as you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
I have plan to go to shirakawago next month. Is jr hida limited express from takayama to nagoya operate until night? Do you know the time shedule? My tour at shirakawago end at 6pm, i need to go back to tokyo after that.
I’m trying to find the schedule but i can not find it.
Thank you so much for your help.
Regards,
Sofi
Hi Sofi san,
If you leave Shirakawago after 18:00. There is no bus to get either Takayama and Kanazawa. You have to stay in Shirakawago. Please see the bus timetable:
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
Even if you have a transportation to get Takayama, unfortunately the last train leave from Takayamaa at 18:45. You cannot take it.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/intervaltime.html?dep_node=TAKAYAMA&arv_node=NAGOYA&search_target=intervaltime&diagram=201214&year=2016&month=1&day=26&searchday=20160126
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I will go to Gero in early Feb. If I want to buy return JR tickets beforehand, do I have to fix the time of departure & return? Are they fixed seats? Can I buy at the Nagoya airport (centrair)? How can I check the schedule?
Thanks and Regards
Tony
Hi Tony san,
Wide View Hida has reserved seat and non reserved seat. If you purchase non reserved seat ticket, you can take any Wide View Hida. You don’t need to fix the time. But your seat is not secured. It’s hard to guess to find the availability of non reserved seat on your traveling date. I think you may get a seat but if you travel with someone, you may not be able to get the seats side by side.
You cannot purchase in Nagoya airport. You have to go to JR Nagoya station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com