The limited express Wide View Hida timetable and the train information. The train access to Takayama and Hida

Limited Express
This train has the huge window. You can enjoy a view at the front row.
 Wide View Hida runs between Osaka and Takayama by this 3 cars train set.

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:

 The limited express Wide View Hida operation route map (click to view large)

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.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

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.

1234
NRRRR
12348910
NRRRRRNRG

Car#1-4 operate from Nagoya to Takayama. And Car#8-10 operate from Nagoya to Toyama

1238910
NRRRRNRG

Car#1-3 operate from Nagoya to Takayama/Hida-furukawa, Car#8-10 operate from Nagoya to Toyama

1234
NRR / GRR

In car #2, there are ordinary reserved seats and Green seats.

1235678
NRRRNRR / GRR

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

  1. Jay says:

    Konnichiwa Takeshi-san,
    To get to Nagoya from Kanazawa (leaving from 6pm), I want to use only the transportation covered fully by Takayama-Hokuriku JR pass and not pay extra.
    I read somewhere that I have to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Toyama, then change to Ltd Exp. Hida Wide View to Nagoya. But I can’t find timetable of Wide View Hida leaving from Toyama.
    Do you know if there’s frequent Hida trains from Toyama to Nagoya, especially in the evening?
    Thanks!

    • Hi Jay san,

      The last Wide View Hida from Toyama departs at 17:13. If you leave from Kanazawa at 18:00, you cannot get this train and there is no later trains to get Nagoya on this route. You have to pay extra or leave Kanazawa early unfortunately.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Jay says:

        Ah I see. Thanks for the advice.
        I found the route and timing on Hyperdia if I search ‘Toyama > Takayama’ and then ‘Takayama > Nagoya’. The 2 search results show Ltd. Exp. (Wide View) HIDA 20.
        I assume the HIDA 20 boarded at Toyama towards Takayama, is the same train from Takayama to Nagoya, so it means I DO NOT get off the train (HIDA 20) at Takayama to change, instead I stay in the train. Is that right?

        • Hi Jay,

          You can stay in the train at Takayama. When Wide View Hida leaves from Toyama, this train is three cars train set. At Takayama station, some more cars are added. That is why these trains are shown separately on Hyperdia.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Mun Lai says:

    Dear Takeshi San

    May I know if I can reserve Wide View Hida from Kanazawa to Hida Furukawa in advance from Kanazawa Jr Station ?

    Looking forward your reply. Thank you.

  3. SILVIA CIA says:

    Hi! I will be travelling from Tokyo to Takayama and from Takayama to Kyoto in March.
    I can book Shinkansen online thru the SmartEX App for Tokyo-Nagoya and Nagoya-Kyoto.
    But is it possible to book the ticket online for Hida Wide View Train between Nagoya-Takayama-Nagoya? Thanks in advance.

  4. riagirl says:

    hi takeshi,

    what is the best route and fastest for takayama to kyoto with jr pass?

    thanks ^^,

  5. Marc says:

    Hello,
    We’re travelling to Japan in May 2019 and have the following provisional 14-day itinerary: Tokyo (3 nights) – Kanazawa ( 2 nights) – Takayama (1 night) – Kyoto (3 nights) – Osaka (2 nights) – Tokyo (3 nights). Is the 14-day JP rail pass the best solution for us? I’m not sure if all trains on the itinerary are covered by the JP rail pass. Can you please advise?
    Thank you,
    Marc

  6. Alen says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Hope you’re doing fine.

    Got my visa now to Japan, thanks God, so will finalize my itinerary.. 🙂 Can I ask this minor changes of my schedule.

    Feb 9 – Arrive at Nagoya Airport – stay at Ichinomiya, Ishibotoke station ( i think from Nagoya station its 2 hrs) : will use single fare ticket.

    Feb 10 – Just explore within the area Ichinomiya

    Feb 11 – From Ichinomiya, Nagoya
    – AM depart to USJ
    – First, take Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka station>Osaka Stn>Nishikujo Stn>Universal City
    Is from Nagoya Station to Osaka – can I use my Takayama Hokuriku Japan Rail Pass? and if ever, this will be the day 1 using it.
    – Then after back to Ichinomiya, Nagoya
    Is going back same route and can use the Takayama Hokuriku Japan Rail Pass?

    Feb 12 – From Ichinomiya, Nagoya
    – AM depart to Takayama and stay here until Feb 15
    Is from Nagoya station to Takayama can I use the Takayama Hokuriku Japan Rail Pass?

    Feb 13 – From Takayama
    – AM depart to Shirakawa (day tour)
    – included in Takayama Hokuriku Japan Rail Pass?

    Feb 14 – From Takayama
    – AM depart to Kanazawa (day tour)
    – included in Takayama Hokuriku Japan Rail Pass?

    Feb 15 – From Takayama
    – AM depart to Hida Furukawa (day tour)
    – Takayama back to Nagoya
    Can still use the Takayama Hokuriku Japan Rail Pass?

    Feb 16 – Back at Nagoya – Flight back home (Nagoya Airport)

    Thank you so so much again.
    Happy New Year!

    Cheers,
    Alen

  7. nantana says:

    Hi! I would like to know If I want to take Hida view pass from Kyoto-Gifu-Takayama(08.31-12.23)
    – Can I use Takayama-Hokuriku area Pass from Gifu to Takayama?
    – If I want to use this pass. Do I have to change a train at Gifu station or I can stay in same train from Kyoto to Takayama?
    – How much will pay for segment Kyoto-Gifu? Where I have to pay before I get a train(at Kyoto station or Takayama station)?

    Thank

  8. Alwin says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I wish to know is the following itinerary is covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass?
    1. Osaka > Kanazawa
    2. Kanazawa > Shirakawa-go
    3. Shirakawa-go > Takayama
    4. Takayama > Toyama
    5. Toyama > Kanazawa
    6. Kanazawa > Kyoto

    How many reserved seats i can reserve for this trip as per the above?

    Regards

    • Hi Alwin,

      All trips are covered by this pass. This pass allows you train seat booking up to 4 times. So you can use it for Osaka to Kanazawa, Takayama to Toyama and Kanazawa to Kyoto. You will take Shinkansen from Toyama to Kanazawa. But the pass does not allow to book a seat on Shinkansen.

      You also need to book a seat for Nohi bus, Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama. But this is not included in 4 times reservation.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Alwin says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thanks for replying. I see, so that’s the right pass i am looking for but for the shinkansen from toyama to kanazawa, can i purchase an unreserved ticket in advance prior to my departure date or i am allow to purchase it on that day i wish to take the shinkansen itself?

        Regards

  9. paveepong tanompetsanga says:

    Hello. Can I use Takayama-Hokuriku area Pass for this train(Limited Express Wide View Hida) from Osaka to Takayama.

    • Hi paveepong tanompetsanga,

      It’s not covered partially. Because the segment between Kyoto and Gifu is outside coverage area. You have to pay around 4,000 yen for this segment.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Stax says:

    Hi! Does the Limited Express Wide View Hida travel from Toyama to Takayama? I will be getting the Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass and wonder what is the best way to travel from Kanazawa to Takayama if the Nohi bass is fully booked.

Copied title and URL