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
Takeshi San,
We are planning to arrive into Osaka in December and leaving via Haneda Airport in Tokyo. We would like to visit Takayama for 2 nights, Shirogawa for 1 nights and Nagano for 2 nights before heading to Tokyo for our return flights home. Can you kindly advise us whether it is practical to purchase a rail pass? If so, which one? Would appreciate if you can assist us on the route and which train to take? Thank you in advance!
Hi Leung san,
Only JR pass covers all areas where you travel. But JR pass is more expensive than even single fares. So I recommend you to 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
But you have to take the route via Kanazawa. And you can visit Shirakawago on the way to Takayama from Kanazawa. You can find the route at the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/takayama-kanazawa-and-shirakawago/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
You should visit Shirakawago (you mentioned Shirogawa, but I think you mean Shirakawago) before visiting Takayama.
When you leave for Nagano, this pass covers until you arrive in Toyama. And you will take Shinkansen to Nagano but the pass does not cover your trip any more. Only single fare is your choice.
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
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, if we were to purchase the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass and we are leaving from Tokyo Station, do you think we should take the bullet train to Nagoya or Toyama first, before taking this train to Hida Furukawa?
We plan to leave on weekday late morning from Tokyo, if that makes any difference.
Hi Mona,
Yes. You have to get either Toyama or Nagoya by Shinkansen. Hida-Furukawa is much closer to Toyama than Nagoya.
If you access there from Toyama, don’t forget exchange your pass before leaving Tokyo. You can exchange it at Nagoya but Toyama.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I would be traveling to Shirakawago via Takayama from Tokyo. I have issues looking for ways to get to Kyoto from Takayama. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you very much!
Best Regards,
Ammy
Hi Ammy,
You may find the route 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 / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I will be going to Nagoya from 23 Nov to 29 Nov and will go to Takayama (stay 1 night) and will pick 1 day to Kyoto (day trip), is there any train pass covers these both cities? (except the JR 7 days). thank you !
Emily
Hi Emily,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is only choice to cover both.
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
But you have to take the route via Kanazawa. You cannot take direct route between Kyoto and Nagoya.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear JP Rail,
We are visiting Nagoya from 1st to 5th Nov. Plan to visit the Shirakawago & Takayama during the day and stay overnight at Gero. Is the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass able to cover my trip? How to go about to reserve the seat for the JR train and buses?
Thanks
Hi Andrew,
Yes. Your trip is covered by this pass fully. You can book your train at JR station and make a call Nohi bus to book for the bus. You may find the number at the link below:
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi JP Rail,
I would like to travel from Osaka to Takayama and was wondering what will be the easiest way as I will be traveling with a toddler. I’ve heard someone mention there is a limited express with the following time and route, but not sure of its accuracy:
Osaka 07:58 -> Takayama 12:13
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Best Regards,
Alicia
Hi Alicia,
That is only direct train to get Takayama from Osaka. I wrote same schedule in the post above too.
If you cannot take this, you have to transfer at Nagoya.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
I am planning to buy the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass and take the Wide View Hida from Nagoya to Takayama.
However, my flight arrives at Nagoya around 15:00 and I plan to take the 17:43 Wide View Hida. I am worried I will not get a reserved seat on the train so I would like to check if I can somehow reserve a seat before I arrive in Japan.
If I can only reserve a seat at the JR office once I arrive in Nagoya I’m afraid there will be no seats left and that is the last Hida train leaving Nagoya. Also, I arrive on Oct 9 which is the Autumn Festival.
Could you kindly advise how I can be guaranteed a seat on the Hida?
Thanks in advance,
Carmen
Hi Carmen san,
Unfortunately there is no way to book outside Japan. You have to book when you exchange your pass at Nagoya station.
As long as flight arrives on time, you may take 17:43 departure Hida. But it will be very tight. You will spend 1 hour for custom and immigration. And you will spend another 40 min to 1 hour to get Nagoya station. You will have only 40 minutes when you will be Nagoya station. And then you have to exchange the pass and book your train. There may be a big line up to the ticket window. We cannot find how busy it will be on your arrival day. If the flight arrives late even 10-15 minutes, it may be huge problem.
You can try 17:43 Hida but expect to miss this. There is one more later departure at 19:43 of Wide View Hida. You can take either Hida anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear JP Rail;
I will be visiting Nagoya on 19 Nov and travelling to Takaya on 23 Nov. I have the following queries:
1) What is the ticket price of this Limited Express Wide View Hida train from Nagoya to Takayama?
2) Where can I get the ticket?
3) Do you have the time table of this train service
4) Do I need to make reservation for seat and where?
Thanks
JT
Hi JT,
You can find 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
Ticket purchasing and booking can be made at the reservation window in the station. The following link shows you booking for JR pass, but the procedure is same.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We have a group of 6 adults and 2 children travelling to Nagoya in December. We would like to go from Nagoya to Kanazawa, then takayama, then Hirayu and then gero Olsen town and back to Nagoya. Please advise whether there is any pass that we can buy that covers these routes. Thank you.
Hi Lilian,
You can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. Please see the link below to get the detailed:
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 / JPRail.com
I am planning a trip to Nagoya/Takayama/Shirakawa-go/Kanazawa in September. I would like to take Wide View Hida train from Nagoya to Takayama. Then travel from Takayama to Kanazawa via Toyama. From Kanazawa I would travel back to Nagoya for return flight home. Can I use the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist JR Pass for the above train trips. Also can I use the pass for bus running between Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go ?
Is it possible to use the pass for Limited Express Shirasagi ?
Many thanks
Timothy
Hi Timothy
All places are covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. And bus between Kanazawa and Takayama via Shirakawago is covered by this pass too. Please see the coverage map at the link below:
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
But Shirasgi is not covered. When you go back to Nagoya from Kanazawa, you have to take Toyama route or Shirakawago route. You cannot make a circle route to go back to Nagoya.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear JP rail,
We are planning to do the following;
1st Aug-Tokyo- Nagoya
2nd Aug- Nagoya to Kyoto- day tour to Saga bck to Nagoya
3rd Aug- Nagoya to Takayama
4th Aug-Takayama to Tokyo
6th Aug-Tokyo to Hakone and back to Tokyo on 7th Aug.
Pls advise if we should buy the 7 day JR pass?
Best,
DJ
Hi DJ,
Yes. JR Pass 7 days is the best choice. It gives you a great saving!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com