Wide View Hida is a 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 and Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. I will explain about this train in this post.
Route, schedule and trip time
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.
As of October 2018, the timetable of Osaka-Takayama train is the following:
Osaka 07:58 -> 08:02 Shin-Osaka 08:03 -> 08:29 Kyoto 08:31 -> 09:56 Gifu 10:11 -> Takayama 12:23
Takayama 15:38 -> 17:36 Gifu 17:43 -> 19:17 Kyoto 19:18 -> 19:44 Shin-Osaka 19:45 -> Osaka 19:50
This train departing from Osaka is coupled with the train from Nagoya at Gifu.
Please find the train operation route in the map below:
Stations
| Station | Depart from Nagoya | Depart from Osaka |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka (大阪) | – | x |
| Shin-Osaka (新大阪) | – | x |
| Kyoto (京都) | – | x |
| Kusatsu (草津) | – | x |
| Maibara (米原) | – | x |
| Ogaki (大垣) | – | x |
| Nagoya (名古屋) | x | – |
| Owari-Ichinomiya (尾張一宮) | * | – |
| Gifu (岐阜) | x | x |
| Unuma (鵜沼) | * | * |
| Mino-Ohta (美濃太田) | x | x |
| Shirakawaguchi (白川口) | * | * |
| Hida-Kanayama (飛騨金山) | * | * |
| Gero (下呂) | x | x |
| Hida-Hagiwara (飛騨萩原) | * | x |
| Hida-Osaka (飛騨小坂) | * | * |
| Kuguno (久々野) | * | * |
| Takayama (高山) | x | x |
| Hida-Furukawa (飛騨古川) | x | – |
| Inotani (猪谷) | x | – |
| Etchu-Yatsuo (越中八尾) | x | – |
| Hayahoshi (速星) | * | – |
| Toyama (富山) | x | – |
x:All train stop *:some train stop
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 seat pitch is 1160mm on 2+2 seat configuration and 1250mm on 2+1 seat configuration. 1160mm 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 seat pitch is 1000mm. This is bigger than the standard.
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.
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| R | R | G | NR | R | R | NR | G |
Car#1-4 operate from Nagoya to Takayama/Hida-furukawa, Car#8-10 operate from Nagoya to Toyama
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| R | NR | 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 | |
| R | R | G | NR | R |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| R | NR | R | R | R | G | NR | R |
This formation is used for Osaka departure and Nagoya departure combination. It is connected at Gifu station.
Images
Green seat 2+2 configuration
Green seat 2+1 configuration
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
hi takeshi,
what is the best route and fastest for takayama to kyoto with jr pass?
thanks ^^,
Hi riagirl,
Takayama (Wide View Hida) Nagoya (Shinkansen) Kyoto
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
Hi Marc,
Your total fare is around 40,000 yen roughly. It is a bit shorter than using JR Pass 14 days. However if you want to travel outside cities when you are in Tokyo and/or Osaka, you may get the worth of 14 days pass. JR pass is much easier than using lots of local deals and regular tickets. So please think about adding some more trips especially in Tokyo because you have much more than than staying in Osaka and Kyoto.
Trips to Hakone, Fuji and/or Nikko are recommended:
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
Hi Alen,
Unfortunately you cannot use Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass for Shinkansen between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka. It cover only the trip after arriving in Shin-Osaka. Please see the link below and read the chapter “Train which is not covered at all or partially”:
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
So you can use this pass for Feb 12 to 15. It does not cover Nagoya to Chubu airport either.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
Hi nantana,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers Gifu to Takayama as you think. If you take Wide View Hida from Kyoto, you don’t need to change trains. The train goes to Takayama directly.
Regarding the extra fare, please see the link below and find the chapter, “Train which is not covered at all or partially”. You will find the info which you need.
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
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
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
Hi Alwin,
You don’t need to pay. You cannot book a seat on Shinkansen. But you can take a seat in non reserved car by this pass without any extra charge. all you have to do is finding an unoccupied seat in Shinkansen train non reserved car.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi for your sincerest tips and advice.. Cheers!
No worries, Alwin.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
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.
Hi Stax,
You may take Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Toyama, and then take Wide View Hida from Toyama to Takayama. You may find the 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 / JPRail.com
Thanks for the info! Much appreciated.
No worries, Stax.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com