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 Tekeshi,
Here is my plan:
Day 1&2 Nagoya
Day 3 take the limited express wide view hida to takayama
Day 4 visit shirakawago then back to hotel in takayama
Day 5 take the highway bus to kyoto
Day 6&7 in kyoto and then leave at kansai airport
Could you please advise if I should buy one-way ticket from nagoya to takayama or a jr pass?
I found that the one-way ticket costs about 6000yen, the round trip bus to shirakawago costs about 4500 yen, the highway bus costs about 4200 yen while the last express to airport cost about 3000 yen. In total it costs about 20000 yen, however the 7day ordinary jr pass already cost 29110 yen.
Many Thanks,
Arthur
Hi Arthur,
JR pass is not suitable for your plan as you think. If you do this itinerary, single ticket is the best option. But you can use Kansai area pass to get KIX on last day from Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
It costs 2060 yen to get KIX by express train Haruka if you use this pass.
And I have one more suggestion. If you are okay to go to Kyoto via Kanazawa, 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
The price is 13500 yen and it covers all part of your trip from day 3 to the end. Even though you have to go through or drop by Kanazawa, this is much affordable choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I plan to visit Japan this 22nd July. Can you advise the faster way for my trip.
Day 1, Kansai Osaka Airport to Shirakawa-go
Day 3, Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa
Day 4, Kanazawa to Kyoto
Day 6, Kyoto to Osaka
Hi Ling,
You may use Tayama 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
You may get Shirakawago from Kanazawa. This is faster than Takayama route. And you can take same route on the way back to Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, Thank you so much.
May I know can I take JR Airport Express Haruka to Kyota after that change to Limited Express Thunderbird to Kanazawa?
Thanks again 🙂
Hi Ling,
Yes, you can. You can transfer from Haruka to Thunderbird at either Shin-Osaka or Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
Good day to you.
I plan to travel as below: –
14 Dec to 17 Dec – Tokyo Narita Airport to Kyoto
17 Dec – Kyoto to Hida Tayakama
19 Dec – Hida Tayakama back to Tokyo
Is it cheaper if I purchase the JR Pass?
Thank you.
Hi Sam,
Yes. JR Pass 7 days is cheaper than single ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
Thanks for your prompt reply.
May I ask the JR pass can be used for my trip from Narita Airport to Kyoto, from Kyoto to Hida Takayama and from Hida Takayama back to Tokyo station?
My proposed plan as below: –
Day 1 from Narita Airport to Kyoto (stay 3 nights)
Day 4 from Kyoto to Hida Takayama (stay 2 nights)
Day 7 from Hida Takayama back to Tokyo (stay 5 nights)
Also, the transportation fee would it be cheaper if I wish to go Mount Fuji & Hakone if I go by my own? Or follow those day tour would be better?
Thank you.
Regards
Choy Koun
Should I purchase JR Pass or one way ticket to the above destination?
Thank you.
Hi Choy Koun,
You can use JR pass 7 days. It’s cheaper than single fare.
I’m not familiar with tour, so I cannot compare tour and trip by own. But there are lots of deals. I think you can go there by yourself.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I plan to travel as follows:
Day 1 (Sunday): Nagoya to Takayama
Day 3 (Tuesday): Takayama to Kanazawa
Day 4 (Wednesday): Kanazawa to Tokyo
Day 7 (Saturday): Tokyo to Narita Airport
Can I buy JR Pass and what is the schedule for the trains? Prefer morning travel for all.
Hi KO,
Single ticket is way cheaper than JR Pass. You may use the bus too.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/nagoya.html
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
You can find the timetable and fare at Hyperdia if you take a train.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
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 / JP Rail
Hi, we will be traveling from Manila to Osaka Sept. 15 to 17, 2015, then plan to take the bullet train to takayama, from Nagoya, is day trip enough for Nagoya? and from Takayama we will go to Tokyo, can we buy one way bullet train pass only for tourists, because we are flying out of Haneda.
we don’t have to go back to Osaka. we are all together 7 adults all seniors. Please advice how to go about it. Thank you.
Maria
Hi Maria,
Do you mean that you want to visit Takayama from Nagoya as day trip? If so, you can make it. But you don’t want to visit Shirakawago? Most of tourist who visit Takayama visit Shirakawago as well. I think both Takayama and Shirakawago from Nagoya as day trip is too much.
Regarding ticket, the best option is single ticket from Osaka to Tokyo with stopover at Nagoya. Please find more info about single ticket at 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
Highway bus is most affordable option to visit Takayama from Nagoya.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/nagoya.html
If you visit Shirakawago, you can take Nohi bus too.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
If you take different route to visit Takayama from Kanazawa side via Shirakawago, 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I plan to visit Shirakawago and Takayama on 04 July 2015.
The next day I want to go to mount Fuji, can you advice the fastest way , for I will leave for Tokyo
after that.So, I also need your advice of the transportation from Fuji to Tokyo. I will purchase the 7 days JR Pass. Thank you
Hi Tjung,
If you get Lake Kawaguchi area, the fastest route is the following:
Takayama (Bus) Matsumoto (JR train) Otsuki (Fujikyu train) Kawaguchiko
But Takayama-Matsumoto bus is not covered by JR pass. And Fujikyu train is not covered either. Please find the location map at the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
If you get Hakone side, you can find the info at the last link above. You also find the info about access to Tokyo as well.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi takeshi
thanks for your time i even forget to thank you for my question LOL
hi Takeshi / JP Rail
if we buy limited wide view hida from nagoya to toyama can we hop off at takayama for a few hours going to shirakawago then hop on at takayama to toyama ? or we better buy separate tickets?
what is the latest timetable train from takayama to toyama ?
then can we buy nohi bus from kanazawa on arrival
Hi Willy,
Yes, you can. Please find the detailed info at 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
You can get both fare and timetable at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi i would like to ask
On how to get to toyama from nagoya
Hi Ayaka,
Please find the info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I would like to check with you, as I’ll be going to Takayama from Osaka. Which train Should I take? Wide Hida?orJR?Is it Wide Hoda is not a direct, however, JR will. B a direct? Which way is more convenient? As I’ve 2 young kids and 2 elderly in our group.
Looking forward for your reply.
Thanks!
Hi Lee,
Wide View Hida is one of JR trains. As you see the post above, there is only one round trip from/to Osaka directly. This is the easiest way to get Takayama from Osaka.
If you cannot take this, take Shinkansen to Nagoya and transfer to Wide View Hida at Nagoya.
You can find some more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks Takeshi!