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.
Contents
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:
JPRail.com PDF timetable (valid until mid March, 2020)
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
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.
Hi Takeshi,
We are a family of 5 from Australia. We are going to Takayama from Nagoya in September. Is there room/place to put our luggage? We are staying in Takayama for 3 days. We plan to have a 21 day JR pass bought in Australia before we travel. Is this ok for us?
Hi Gary,
This train does not have any luggage spaces. You have to keep your luggage at your space. Please see the link below about managing the baggage in the train:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
I will take the limited express Wide View Hida and will upload the movie on my Youtube channel. You may see more details sometimes in late February there. You may find the movie in this post too.
You may buy the pass before you leave from Australia.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Mr. Takeshi
I use Jr. Takayama hokuriku area tourist pass, my plan stay in Kanazawa 1 night and catch a train to Nagoya
1. Can you suggest the way that i go to Nagoya and i don’t additional pay moreover Jr Takayama hokuriku area pass?
2.where is departure the train between Kanazawa or Toyama to Nagoya?
Best reguard
Bell
Hi Bell,
You have to take the following route:
Kanazawa (Hokuriku Shinkansen) Toyama (Wide View Hida) Nagoya
It takes about 5 hours to take this route. But if you are okay with paying about 3,500 yen on top of the pass, you may take the limited express Shirasagi.
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_limited_express_Shirasagi_Kanazawa_8211_Nagoya
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-shirasagi.html
You can get Nagoya directly from Kanazawa and the trip time is about 3 hours. It is much shorter and easier.
You can take either way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi,
I will be going to Osaka- Takayama-Kyoto-Osaka for my 1st time to Japan.
15-Feb: Osaka
16-Feb: Osaka-Takayama
17-Feb: Takayama-Shirakawago-Kyoto
18-19 Feb: Kyoto
20-22 Feb: Osaka
If i purchase Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, is it enough to cover ? Checking from the web, there is only 1 trip from Osaka to Takayama. Is Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass can cover from Osaka to Nagoya ?
Hi Cindy,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass does not cover the limited express Wide View Hida from Osaka to Takayama fully. Please see 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#The_Tokaido_Shinkansen_Nagoya_8211_Kyoto_8211_Shin_Osaka
If you want to avoid paying extra, you have to take either routes:
1. Osaka (the limited express Thunderbird) Kanazawa (Hokuriku Shinkansen) Toyama (the limited express Wide View Hida) Takayama
2. Osaka (the limited express Thunderbird) Kanazawa (Nohi bus via Shirakawago) Takayama
You may use this pass for 15th Feb to 19th Feb anyway. You have to add the following deals/tickets on top of this pass.
1. Kyoto bus pass or subway/bus pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
2. Regular fare ticket for Kyoto to Osaka
3. Other deals in Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-kansai-airport-to-downtown-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thanks for your guide and advise as this is my first trip to Japan. It has helped me to clear my confusion. Appreciate that.
No worries, Cindy san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I will arrive Kansai airport day 1 at 5.30pm. I would like to visit Osaka, Kyoto, takayama, Tokyo/Hakone and back to Osaka.
Please advise the most time saving route and passes to use. I will return on the 11th day departing from Kansai airport
Hi Geok,
JR Pass 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
Please try to put Tokyo, Hakone and Takayama in 7 days period. You can use 7-day JR Pass. 14-day pass is too expensive to get the worth of it by your trip plan.
You may get Takayama via Nagoya from Osaka. For Takayama to Tokyo, you can take either Takayama-Nagoya-Tokyo or Takayama-Toyama-Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m planning a solo trip to Japan in March (using 7 days JR pass) and would like to get your advice on the following plan:
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo in the morning and spend the day in Tokyo
Day 2: Mount Fuji day trip (Lake Kawaguchiko, Chureito Pagoda and pls advice other suggestions)
–> Since I’ll have to pay a supplement charge to get to Kawaguchi train station using JR pass, would you suggest to take the bus instead. Do I have to take 2 separate buses to go to Chureito pagoda and from there to Kawaguchiko lake?
–> If i take then train, do i have to purchase one ticket from otsuki to shimoyoshida station and another ticket from there to kawaguchiko station?
Day 3:
– JR Pass – Tokyo to Nagoya – 6:26 AM train & transfer Nagoya to Takayama and arrive at 10:56 AM.
– Spend the day and overnight stay at Takayama
–> (Please suggest if i can cover Shinhotaka and recommend any other places that I can cover along with the old town in this day from 12 noon onwards).
Day 4:
– Next day take the Nohi bus at 7:50 AM and arrive at Shirakawago at 8:40 AM (2,600 Yen). (I will reserve the seat when i arrive in Takayama).
–> Is 4 hours enough in Shirakawago?
– I plan to leave Shirakawago by the 12:20 PM bus and arrive at Kanazawa at 1:35 PM (2,000 Yen). Spend the remaining day at Kanazawa and overnight stay.
–> Is it enough to cover the main attractions since most will be closing by 5-6 pm.
Day 5:
– Next day leave Kanazawa at 5:35 AM and arrive in Kyoto at 7:51 AM using JR Pass.
Spend 2 full days in Kyoto (Day 5 and Day 6)
Day 7:
–> I want to visit Osaka but should i stay over night in Osaka or do it as a day trip from Kyoto.
Day 7:
Take the early morning train from Osaka/Kyoto to Tokyo.
Day 8 and 9: Tokyo
Day 10: Afternoon return flight
Also since I’ll be in Japan in the 2nd week of March, will the weather be cold and should I carry a lot of winter wear.
It would be great if you could also advise a place where i can experience onsen.
Thanks a ton! 🙂
Kitu
Hi Kitu,
I recommend you to use JR pass from day 2. Because if you start using it on day 3, it will be valid until day 9. However you cannot get a big value by local train rides in Tokyo. As you think, you have to pay for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. But it’s still better than using the pass in downtown Tokyo.
You need to pay Otsuki to Shimoyoshida and Shimoyoshida to Kawaguchiko separately.
You should not go to Shin-Hotaka. You have to spend about 5 hours. You don’t have enough time to see Takayama.
4 hours is okay in Shirakawago. And I strongly recommend you to book a bus from Shirakawago to Kanazawa in advance. All buses require reservation. The bus is booked out very often. The booking become on sale one month prior. You can book online.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/kanazawa_en/
Kanazawa is okay and you can make a day trip to Osaka from Kyoto.
The weather is still cold. Especially Shirkawago and Takayama will be still winter. You may see snow there.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi, Thank you so much for your reply. It is really helpful.
Since I will not be using the JR Pass on arrival and departure, can you please advise economical ways to reach Tokyo from Narita express and Tokyo to Narita.
My arrival flight is at 8:00 am and depature flight is at 11:30 noon (need to be at the airport by 8 am).
Also I read somewhere that the Nohi bus does not operate on the weekends to shirakawago. Is that correct?
Thank you!
Hi Nupur,
Regarding Narita to/from Tokyo, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Nohi bus runs everyday.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/kanazawa_en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com