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 advise the best pass that I can have for my trip.
My trip is end of Dec 2017 to Early Jan 2018.
day1. Arrive Nagoya at 08:40am direct go to Kyoto
day 2. Kyoto and Nara
day 3. Kyoto to Takeyama
day 4. Takeyama and Shirakawa
day 5. Takeyama
day 6. Takeyama to Tokyo
day 7. Tokyo, Shibuya
day 8. Tokyo
day 9. Tokyo – Narita
thank you so much for your help.
Hi Theresia san,
JR Pass 7 days for the first 7 days is the best choice:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
You may use other deal for day 8 and 9.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
You will travel during very very busy period. Please refer the link below to find which day the busiest is:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/2017-busiest-period-to-travel-by-train-tips-to-book-your-seat-in-even-busy-period.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, I want to go to Takayama from Nagoya around 12.00 pm by shinkansen, can i get timetable of shinkansen train? because of tide itinerary I have to make sure for the schedulle, or I can get the timetable at major station? thank you in advance
Hi Santi,
Please use Hyperdia to find the timetable:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
By the way, you will take Limited Express Wide View Hida in the post above. This is a limited express train but it’s not Shinkansen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I plan to take Hida train to Takayama from Nagoya in March (middle march). I am not getting JR Pass as I will be covering Tokyo, Nagoya and Takayama only.
My questions are:
1. How do I book the seat? Can I buy the ticket from Nagoya to Takayama at Odawara? Or must buy at the Nagoya train station?
2. I will ge traveling from Odawara. Can I buy single ticket from Odawara to Takayama? And make 2 nights stop at Nagoya?
3. What I will be expecting on the view in Middle March? Spring view or still can get winter view?
Thank you!
Hi Azil,
1. Yes, you can. You can book it at any major JR stations. Of course you can do it at Odawara.
2. Yes, you can,. 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
3. It will be still winter up there. Spring season is coming in mid April.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for the reply!
I intend to get the earliest train to Takayama and looking forward to see the scenery from the Hida Wide view!
Hi,
I would like to request a letter from the train company regarding the cancellation of all lines on 23rd October 2017 when Typhoon Lan caused cancellations to the entire rail network.
Is there a way I can obtain a letter?
Thanks
Hi meiling,
I cannot help you about the letter.
Usually train company issues it at the station when the train cancel or delay. You can download at the train company website. But usually it’s available in Japanese only. Otherwise you have to contact to the train company by yourself. You need to make sure which train company you need to contact.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi San,
I would like to travel from Osaka to Takayama. It seems like there is a limited express hida 25 running between the two stations. Can I make a reservation for a seat in this train? If yes, where can I make such a reservation.
Best regards,
Jerry
Hi Jerry san,
You can book a seat at the reservation window in advance. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I can’t seem to find any morning departure on the hida wide view from Toyama to Takayama for January 2018, is there one? Thanks
Hi Jenny,
Usually there are two trips running in the morning. The database has not been updated so that you cannot find it in January departure. Please try to find it sometimes in November. You will find it and it runs as same schedule in January.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I’m planning to take LTD. EXP (WIDE VIEW) HIDA 1 (7.45 – 10.16) from NAGOYA to TAKAYAMA on Feb 2018. But there won’t be LTD. EXP (WIDE VIEW) HIDA 1 run in next year. I checked the train schedule and found that there’s HIDA 5 (9.39-12.23).
I want to arrive to Takayama so early. Could you lease check that HIDA 1 will operate in next year ?
Thank you
Sandra
Hi Sandra,
Some of search engine do not show some trains, such as your case because of database. But Wide View Hida is a scheduled train and it will run as usual. If you check it later in this year or next January, you will find it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. What is the best route to take by train from tokyo to Takayama which will allow us to see the most on this journey. We are ok to take a stop for a few hours along the way if there are some nice things to see.
And them from takayama to Kyoto.
Hi Akshay,
You can get Takayama from either Toyama or Nagoya.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
Both routes are very scenic. If you want to see both, you may get Takayama via Toyama. And then you can get Kyoto via Nagoya.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I have several questions:
1. I will travel from Shinjuku to Toyama and will visit Alpine Route. Then I see this: Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket is a discount ticket available for 9000 yen exclusively to foreign tourists. It allows for a one-way trip along the Alpine Route between Nagano and Toyama (including the bus ride between Ogizawa and Nagano). So does it mean I better make a trip from Shinjuku to Nagano instead of from Shinjuku to Toyama?
If from Shinjuku to Nagano it will use shinkansen, which type of shinkansen that doesn’t cover by JR pass?
Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket does it include bus ride, cable car, and tunnel trolley bus?
2. After I finish sight seeing at Alpine Route, I plan to continue my trip to Takayama. On the trip I saw LTD. EXP (WIDE VIEW) HIDA 14. Does it covered by JR pass? Do all express Wide view covered by JR pass?
3. After couple days in Takayama, I will go to Kyoto. I saw the trip will need LTD. EXP (WIDE VIEW) HIDA 10 to Nagoya. Will this exp train covered by JR pass?
I will bring parents on this trip so I really concern on the transportation route along this entire trip.
Thank you so much for your help, really appreciate it.
Hi Patrisia,
1. Shinjuku – Nagano – (alpine route) – Toyama
This route is easier and you can save one hour.
You can take any kinds of Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Nagano, such as Kagayaki, Hakutaka and Asama. You cannot take Shinkansen from Shinjuku. You need to go to Tokyo, Ueno or Omiya.
Takayama Kurobe option ticket covers all transportation on alpine route.
2,3. All Wide View Hida are covered fully by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear たけしさん、I want to travel from Nagoya to Toyama by rail so the next day I can then cross the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Do you know whether the “Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto-Area Tourist -Pass” also allows me to use the faster Limited Express Hida Wide View trains? I just want to get as quickly as possible to Toyoma using the pass and they seem the best option. The JP brochure only says that Ltd. Express trains are included but they don’t mention “Wide View” ones specifically. ありがとうございます。Christoph くりすとふ
Hi Christoph san,
You can take Wide View Hida by this pass without any extra.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com