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,
I need to confirm that there is a direct Limited Express Wide View Hida from Osaka to Takayama?
Is this train covered by Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Pass?
Hi Seb,
Yes. I wrote it in the post above.
But this direct Wide View Hida is not covered partially. You have to pay extra fare for Kyoto-Gifu segment which is around 4000 to 4500 yen. Exact fare is varied by the date and the type of seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I will be in Takayama around Mid-Feb 2019 and would like to take Limited Express Wide View Hida from Takayama to Toyama.
Will the train route open soon? I knew it was closed by storm and on construction but it said will be finished around end of November.
Thanks,
Hi Ying,
Takayama line was open on November 21st. It is no problem to travel there now.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks a lot and nice to hear that
No worries, Ying.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Greetings,
I’ll be taking a trip to Takayama from Kyoto on the 9th of next month and going to Tokyo on the 11th. How early should I reserve the tickets if I’m going for the Green seats? I will be in Japan on the 4th.
Thanks,
Hi Ryan,
You should book it as early as possible. I recommend you to book a seat right after you arrive in Japan. You can book it at any major JR stations.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
We are planning for 5-6 days to fly in to Nagoya around end of January and I have following questions,
1. Nagoya – Takayama – Okuhida hot spring villages.
2. In Okuhida hot spring villages if we want to go around in the area can we use the pass for the bus as well
3. Takayama – Nagoya
4. To buy the pass in advance we must exchange its within 3 months so we are thinking about buying the pass in January
Thank you
Hi Wan watt,
There is no train passes to cover whole part of your trip. But Shoryudo bus pass covers whole part. Please see the link below:
https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/ticket-info/shoryudo4.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! We are planning to purchase the JR PASS for our following trips:
Dec. 1 – roundtrip KYOTO to NARA
via JR Miyakoji Rapid Train
Dec. 2 – KYOTO to TAKAYAMA
KYOTO to Nagoya (via Hikari Shinkansen in Tokaido Line)
Nagoya to TAKAYAMA (via Hida Wide View Express Train)
Dec. 3 – TAKAYAMA to OSAKA
TAKAYAMA to Nagoya (via Hida Wide View Express Train)
Nagoya to OSAKA (via Hikari Shinkansen in Tokaido Line)
Will it all be covered by the JR PASS? or is there any other (better/cheaper) options?
Thanks!
Hi Vianca,
These trips are covered by JR Pass. But you cannot get the worth of JR Pass 7 days by these three trips only. The total fare is less than 25,000 yen. You have to make some more trips if you want to use JR pass. Otherwise your choice is a regular fare tickets. There is no deals to cover this trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks! I think we are purchasing the JR Pass for the convenience of it.
Can I reserve seats for the Hida Wide View Express Train online? If not, can I reserve seats at any JR Stations??
Hi Vianca,
You cannot book it online but you can book at most of JR stations.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I need the following Transport
1. Nagoya station to Takayama station
2. Takayama station to Kanazawa sation
Will be spending 3 days in Nagaoya, followed by 2 days in Takayama and 2 days in Kanazawa. Thereafter I will leave for Tokyo.
I have looked at the 7 days JR pass, and it is too expensive for my itinerary ( i think). is there any limited Area Pass that is good for me? Thank you
Hi Yin,
If you intend to visit Shirakawago by bus from either Takayama or Kanazawa, you may 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
This pass covers Nagoya-Takayama by limited express train Wide View Hida, trip to Shirakawago by Nohi bus and Takayama to Kanazawa by either train or Nohi bus. But you have to add a regular fare for Kanazawa to Tokyo which is around 14,000 yen for base fare and Shinkansen surcharge.
If you use JR Pass, it does not cover Nohi bus for Shirakawago. But if you will not go to Shirakawago, JR pass may be considerable. Total fare for Nagoya-Takayama, Takayama-Kanazawa and Kanazawa-Tokyo is around 27,000 yen. It’s 2,000 yen cheaper than 7 days JR pass but if you make some trips in either Nagoya or Tokyo, you may be able to get the worth of it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi There,
I understand that we can book the Nagoya – Takayama Limited Express at major JR Stations. I would like to get the First Class seats
Is Nagoya Station a major JR Station?
If I reach on 7th Dec, can I immeditiely book it for 10th Dec? is this advance enough?
If my child is not 3 years old yet, must she get a ticket for a valid seat?
Hi Chua,
You can book it at Nagoya station. It’s hard to say about the availability. Usually it’s not much hard to book in 3 days. But the demand is getting higher in these days. I only can say, just try.
If you want to have one seat for your 3 years old child, you have to book a seat. But you are okay with sharing the seat or putting your child on your lap, it’s free of charge.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san
I have some questions related to this limited express wide view Hida :
1. This train is covered by Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Pass ?
2. Do I need to book the seat in advance (Nagoya to Takayama) ? If yes, please kindly tell me how to book the seat
3. The train has wide windows for all cars or limited to some only cars ?
Thank you
Hi JapanTraveller san,
1. Yes.
2. Not required but recommended. You can book it at major JR stations. The easiest way is booking it at the time of exchanging the pass.
3. All seats have same type windows.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
im going to Takayama from Nagoya, my questions is:-
1. what is the difference between Limited Express & Rapid? isit all covered by JR pass?
2. Is the JR pass cover Meitetsu train? How do i know which station/line did JR covered?
Hi Caren,
1. Rapid is a sort of commute train. Limited Express is the fastest train and has more comfortable accommodation. Both are covered by JR pass.
2. No. It covers only JR train. It’s hard to explain because there are so many railways in Japan. I put some info in the link below. I hope it helps you to understand it:
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#How_to_use_JR_pass_in_major_cities_and_tourist_spots
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I would like to find out JR Pass can use from Nagoya Station to Takayama Station?
Do I need to exchange the ticket? what is the earliest and latest schedule time for the train?
hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Lena,
You can take this train from Nagoya to Takayama by JR pass. I recommend you to book a seat by JR pass in advance. You can book it at any major JR stations reservation window after exchanging JR pass.
Please use hyperdia to find a train schedule. There is no hard copy of train timetable, such as PDF timetable.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com