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
Hi Takeshi san,
Please advice what is the best rail pass for the below itinerary. JR Pass?
Nagoya – Takayama – Shirakawago – Shinhotaku Ropeway – Matsumoto – Nagano- Tokyo.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Adrian san,
Unfortunately there is no deals to cover this trip. You have to purchase single ticket for each segment. But you may use one base fare ticket for Matsumoto to Tokyo with stopover at Nagano. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I will be using Hokuriku Arch Pass. I wish to return to Ueno, Tokyo from Takayama on the same day. How do I take the Shinkansen?
Hi SW Wang,
You have to get Toyama first. And take Hokuriku Shinkansen there.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
The segment from Takayama to Toyama is not covered by Hokuriku Arch Pass which is around 3500 yen for express seat fee and base fare. Takayama is not in coverage area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your earlier reply.
May I know if I take JR Takayama Line fr Takayama to Toyama :
1. Do I need to get down at Inotani to change to Toyama?
2. Or I need not get down at Inotani but only requires to pay the difference (between Takayama & Inotani) at Takayama JR Station , before I use Hokuriku Arch Pass to return to Tokyo fr Toyama?
Thank you.
Regards
SW Wang
Hi SW Wong,
If you take a local train, you have to change the trains anyway. If you take a limited express train, you don’t need to change the trains and no need to get off the train at Inotani either.
In either case, you can pay for base fare and limited express seat fee if you take limited express train for Takayama to Inotani at Takayama. You don’t need to exit at Inotani.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your swift response and advise.
Regards
SW Wang
No worries, SW Wang,
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We are planning to leave for Shirakawa (8am) from Nagoya & will be checking in at Ainokura Vill. later that day. Since we managed to get a Takayama-Hokuriku Pass, can you kindly give advise how we can get from Shirakawa to Ainokura? and from Ainokura station to Choyomon (our accomodation)
One more thing, if we are planning to stay in Comfort Hotel Osaka on the 3rd day. Is it possible for us to avail of luggage transfer from CHUBU airport to the Comfort Hotel?
Thanks alot
Hi Jeff,
You can take a bus from Takayama to Shirakawago and from Shirakawago to Ainokura. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-shirakawa-go-%E7%99%BD%E5%B7%9D%E9%83%B7.html
Sorry but I have no idea how to get your accommodation in Ainokura. Please contact your hotel to find it.
You can ship your luggage from Chubu airport to hotel in Osaka. There are some delivery companies on arrival floor of Chubu airport.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/chubu-ngo/chubu-nagoya-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-airport-station-and-access-to-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu!
Douitashimasite, Jeff san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Can I check whether 31st January is a public holiday or whether I am able to still purchase the Limited Express Wide View Hida ticket if I arrive Nagoya in the morning of 31st to Takayama? Just wondering whether I need to reserve the tickets. Kindly advise.
Thanks a lot!
Cheers
Hi Hui san,
31st is not a holiday. It’s very hard to find how busy this train will be. It’s just weekday. But it will be in Chinese New Year. In these days, this period is getting busier. So it may be hard to book a ticket. If you really want to know how busy this train will be, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-find-seat-availability-of-trains-jr-cyber-station-guide.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thanks a lot for the advice. Will check out the link your shared 🙂
Cheers.
No worries, Hui san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I got Takayama-hokuriku area tourist pass so I can use Limited Express Wide View Hida and shinhotake ropeway? please advise.
Thank you.
Hi Kuk,
You can take Wide View Hida among Nagoya, Takayama and Toyama by this pass. But you cannot get Shin-Hotaka by this pass. You have to pay bus fare for Takayama to Shin-Hotaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
My name is Lionel and i was thinking to departure from osaka 14 april to takayama. I want to go to takayama festival. Do you know if I have to make a reservation?
Thanks
Lionel
Hi Lionel,
Reservation is not required but recommended. But unfortunately online reservation is not available. You have to book after you arrive in Japan. Once you get in Japan, you can book it at any major JR stations. Please see the link below to find the detailed info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I am arriving at Chubu Airport on January 19 at around 8pm. Can I purchase advance ticket on January 19 evening at the airport for Limited Express Wide View Hida departure January 20 morning?
Thanks so much
Hi Joyce,
Yes, you can. You can purchase it at JR Nagoya station.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/nagoya-station-guide-how-to-transfer-among-shinkansen-kintetsu-meitetsu-subway-and-jr-local-trains.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much Takeshi!
No worries, Joyce.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi Takeshi,
I want to go earlier at morning from nagoya to takayama. I checked hyperdia on april 19th 2017 the wide view hida departure time at 08.43 am, but when I checked from japan travel the wide view hida departure time at 07.45 am. Which one is correct?
Regards
Rosliana
Hi Rosliana,
7:45 is the earliest one. But it may be changed because JR will revise timetable in the beginning of March. Hyperdia does not show new timetable after March at this point.
I think departure time will be same after March. But it may be changed slightly. Please keep it in your mind and check the timetable in last minutes again.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
where can we buy/reserve tickets from takayama to nagoya?
Can we book online?
What is the timetable of the trains leaving takayama going to nagoya? thanks!
Hi Kerr,
Basically online booking is not available. You can book it at reservation window in most of JR stations. You don’t need to book it at Takayama. You can book it in advance at other JR stations if you want. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Please try using Hyperdia to find the schedule:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Is there any period restriction of ticket purchase? I will be in Kyoto Dec 15~19, can I buy the ticket departure Jan 24 Takayama to Nagoya?
Hi Sophia san,
You can purcahse it in Kyoto. Ticket is started to be on sale one month prior to departure date. You can purchase it at any major JR station, such as Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I will only stay at Kyoto until Dec 19, if the ticket to be on sale on month prior to departure date, that means I can only purchase it on Dec 24, am I correct?
Hi Sophia,
Oops. Sorry, you are right. I thought you want to take it on Dec 24. The ticket for Jan 24 is on sale on Dec 24. So you cannot purchase it in Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com