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 and Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. 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:
JPRail.com PDF timetable (valid until mid October 2019)
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 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.
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
We want to go to Takayama from Kyoto, what options we have?
Is it necessary reserve seats?
We have big suitcases in this route, has Hida places to our baggage?
Thanks!
Hi Jose,
If you want to take a train, one trip of Wide View Hida takes you to Takayama from Kyoto directly. Otherwise take the Shinkansen to Nagoya and then take Wide View Hida to Takayama. The seat reservation is recommended. And there are no luggage spaces in Wide View Hida. Please see the link below about how to handle luggage 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
Other option is the express bus:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/osaka_en/
The bus has luggage room.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello – what is the best way to get from Yokohama to Takayama and then return to Tokyo?
And can I buy tickets for this online?
Thanks!
Hi Christopher,
You can take the Shinkansen from Shin-Yokohama to Nagoya, and then take the limited express Wide View Hida. The return trip is same. Just take the Shinkansen to Tokyo:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
You may use JR pass 7-day. It’s cheaper than the regular fare:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Can I use Kansai Wide area pass to cover from Osaka to Maibara? Thanks.
Hi Andy,
Yes, you can.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We will be travelling to Matsumoto from 3 Oct to 8 Oct. We are thinking to stay 1 night in Takayama before heading to Matsumoto. So the plan will be Narita airport-Takayama (1night)-Matsumoto-Narita airport. Need your advice as which JR pass to purchase. Between Takayama to Matsumoto, take the Nohi bus or train? Thanks.
Hi Jacqueline san,
You have two choices.
The first choice is using JR East Pass Niigata Nagano and add the round trip fare to take Nohi bus between Matsumoto and Takayama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-niigata-and-nagano-flex-5-days-pass-in-14-days-period-to-cover-kanto-region-nagano-and-niigata.html
In this case, you have to take the same route between Narita and Matsumoto. JR East Pass does not cover the train trip from Narita to Takayama via either Nagoya or Toyama. You have to take the route via Matsumoto and take Nohi bus for the round trip between Matsumoto and Takayama. This choice is cheaper than the second choice.
The second choice is using JR Pass 7-day for the train travel from Narita to Takayama and Matsumoto to Narita airport:
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
And you have to add the fare to take the bus from Takayama to Matsumoto ny Nohi bus. JR Pass does not cover it. You can take the different route on the way and way back. However you cannot get the worth of the 7-day JR pass by these trips. You must use JR pass a bit more. In the rough calculation, you have to make about 2,500 yen value trip, such as Matsumoto to Nagano round trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for the advice!
Will it be easy to get seats for Nohi bus when arrive in Matsumoto?
Hi Jacqueline,
Usually it’s not hard to get a seat. That’s why they don’t take a reservation for this bus line.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Noted. As for Narita to Matsumoto, what is the recommended route and I presumed it will be covered by the JR East pass Nigata Nagano?
Hi Jacqueline san,
You may take Narita Express to Shinjuku and the limited express Azusa from Shinjuku to Matsumoto:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/narita-express.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-azusa-super-azusa-and-kaiji.html
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
All trains are covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much! Appreciate your response.:)
No worries, Jacqueline.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is there a way to travel from Shingu to Takayama via JR travel pass? We are doing Kumano Kodo trail and want to travel from Shingu to Takayama using our pass.
Hi Alla,
You can take the limited express Nanki from Shingu to Nagoya, and then take the limited express Wide View Hida from Nagoya to Takayama. There is no direct trains. And also you have to pay a little extra to take the limited express Nanki. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-wide-view-nanki.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
Thinking of going from Takayama to Osaka and thinking of using the Hida#16 and Hida#36 once a day train so that there is no need to transfer at Gifu. I know this trip is cover by JR Pass but like to ask if it is cover by the ‘Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass’?
Hi Steven,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass does not cover this train fully. This pass does not cover Gifu-Kyoto segment. Please see the link below to find more info:
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#Osaka_departure_of_Limited_Express_Wide_View_Hida_Osaka_8211_Kyoto_8211_Gifu_8211_Takayama
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks.
Can i also ask whether the hiroshima kansai pass will cover all local and jr trains and also local buses and trams in hiroshima, osaka and kyoto?
Also may i ask if suica card can be used for local and jr trains and local buses in osaka and kyoto?
Hi Steven,
Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass covers basically only JR trains. It covers a few JR bus and ferry services. Those are JR bus from Kyoto to Takao, Hiroshima city loop bus Meipuru-pu and JR ferry to Miyajima.
http://www.chugoku-jrbus.co.jp.e.aec.hp.transer.com/teikan/meipurupu/
Other bus service, tram and subway are not covered.
You can use Suica to take any train and bus services in Kyoto and Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com