乗Japan Train Trips

JR Central · Limited Express

Hida ひだ

Nagoya to Gero Onsen and old-town Takayama along the Hida River gorge, on JR Central's new hybrid trains.

Journey
About 2 hr 15–2 hr 30 min to Takayama
Frequency
Several departures a day; some continue to Hida-Furukawa and Toyama
Book tickets
Limited Express

ひだ

Hida

名古屋
下呂高山
Reserved seatsNon-reservedPower outletFree Wi-FiToiletsAccessibleLuggage space

Limited Express Hida links Nagoya with Gero Onsen and Takayama, following the Hida River through the Hida-kyo and Nakayama Shichiri gorges. Since March 2023 every scheduled Hida uses the HC85 hybrid trains.

The train reverses direction at Gifu, so the seats you face forward in at Nagoya will face backwards for the rest of the trip — don't be surprised when everyone turns their seats around.

Most trains have reserved and non-reserved cars, and some have a Green (first-class) car. Around Golden Week, Obon and New Year all seats become reserved.

01

座席タイプ別ガイド

Which seat to book

指定席

Reserved Seat

¥¥¥¥

Check your ticket (varies by train) · 1 person

Ordinary seats with a power outlet in every armrest and free Wi-Fi.

Best for: Most travellers — and essential on weekends and in autumn.

Reserved seatsPower outletFree Wi-Fi

自由席

Non-reserved Seat

¥¥¥¥

Usually one car per set · 1 person

Cheaper and flexible, but there are few non-reserved seats and none in peak holiday periods.

Best for: Off-peak weekday trips.

Non-reservedPower outlet

グリーン車

Green Car

¥¥¥¥

Car 1 on trains that have one · 1 person

Wider seat pitch, footrests, reading lights and a quieter car. Not every Hida has one.

Best for: A treat on the scenic run to Takayama.

Reserved seatsPower outletFree Wi-Fi

¥ = no extra seat charge · ¥¥¥¥ = most expensive. Charges vary by season — see the official fare table.

02

予約・決済攻略

How to book from abroad

Smart EX (the Shinkansen app) does not sell Hida. Buy at any JR ticket office or reserved-seat machine, or through a reseller that issues a voucher to swap for a paper ticket at a JR station.

Reserved seats go on sale one month before the travel date.

  1. 1

    Decide Gero or Takayama

    Gero Onsen comes first; Takayama is about the same again further on. Some trains continue to Hida-Furukawa.

  2. 2

    Reserve at a JR station

    Ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) and reserved-seat machines at Nagoya sell Hida tickets with cash or credit card.

  3. 3

    Or buy a pass first

    With the JR Pass or the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, reserve your seat at a ticket office or machine before boarding.

  4. 4

    Buy lunch at Nagoya

    There is no trolley service on board, so bring food and drinks.

Ways to pay

  • Cash or credit card at JR ticket offices and machines
  • Reseller vouchers (exchange before boarding)
04

途中下車

Make a stopover

Nagoya → Gero (3 hrs) → Takayama

Stop at Gero Onsen for a foot bath and a riverside stroll, then ride on to Takayama's old town.

  1. 名古屋

    Nagoya

  2. 下呂

    Gero

    3h stopover

    • · Free foot baths around town
    • · Gero Onsen Gassho Village
    • · Hida River promenade

  3. 高山

    Takayama

    • · Sanmachi old town
    • · Morning markets

Each Hida segment needs its own seat reservation. Use Gero station lockers or ask your Takayama ryokan to hold bags.

05

手荷物

Luggage on this train

  • Luggage spaceSpace for large suitcases is at the ends of each car, and the overhead racks are see-through so you won't forget anything.
  • Luggage spaceTakayama's old town is compact and walkable — leave big bags in a station locker or send them to your ryokan.

Local experiences

Things to do near Takayama

Spin Trip Gacha

Hida goods

Links go to Amazon.co.jp / Rakuten Ichiba. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; we may also earn a commission from Rakuten at no extra cost to you.

コンビニ受け取り

Pick up your order at a konbini

  1. STEP 1

    Order on Amazon.co.jp or Rakuten

    Overseas cards work; Amazon.co.jp can be switched to English.

  2. STEP 2

    Choose konbini pickup

    Amazon: Lawson, FamilyMart or Ministop (not 7-Eleven). Rakuten: only shops that offer it — look for コンビニ受取 at checkout.

  3. STEP 3

    Wait for the pickup email

    It contains a barcode or pickup number. Allow a few days, and check the holding period.

  4. STEP 4

    Collect at the counter

    Show the code at the register (or print a slip at Lawson's Loppi terminal). No hotel front-desk hassle.

Not available for marketplace-seller items, chilled/frozen food, alcohol or oversized goods. Pickup stores and rules change — confirm on the checkout screen.