The Hida (ひだ) is a limited express train service operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) along the Takayama Main Line in central Japan since 1958, which connects Nagoya and Takayama in just over 2 hours, Nagoya and Toyama in 4 hours, and Ōsaka and Takayama in 4 hours 15 minutes. The Hida serves various locations en route such as Gifu and Gero. Like all JR limited express trains, a limited express fare ticket, along with a standard basic fare ticket, must be purchased in order to ride this service.

Overview

Five round trips operate daily from Nagoya to Takayama, and five more continue past Takayama to Hida-Furukawa and Toyama. Additionally, one service runs from Ōsaka to Takayama, originating from Ōsaka and continuing on to Gifu before coupling with a Hida service from Nagoya and continuing to the terminus of Takayama. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 120 km/h.

Stations

Stations in brackets are stations where not all Hida services stop. Nagoya – (Owari-Ichinomiya) – Gifu – (Unuma) – Mino-Ota – (Shirakawaguchi) – (Hida-Kanayama) – Gero – (Hida-Hagiwara) – (Hida-Osaka) – (Kuguno) – Takayama Some services continue to Toyama: Hida-Furukawa – Inotani – Etchu-Yatsuo – (Hayahoshi) – Toyama Ōsaka service: Ōsaka – Shin-Ōsaka – Kyoto – Kusatsu – Maibara – Ogaki – Gifu (Couple with service from Nagoya) - Unuma – Mino-Ota – Shirakawaguchi – Hida-Kanayama – Gero – Hida-Hagiwara - Hida-Osaka – Kuguno – Takayama Services to and from Nagoya Station require a switchback at Gifu Station. The section of the route between Inotani to Toyama and Ōsaka to Maibara is operated by JR West.

Facilities

Accommodation

Standard class (including reserved seats and non-reserved seats) and Green class is available on this service, although not all services carry a Green car. Seat reservations can be made for an extra fee. Both standard and Green classes feature comfortable seats.

Utilities

There are one or more universal access toilets, as well as normal toilets, depending on how many carriages are being used for the service. There are also wheelchair spaces. Onboard catering services ceased on 16 March 2013. There is a vending machine onboard, which provides a small selection of drinks. Complimentary WiFi is also available.

Scenery

The Takayama Main Line, on which the Hida runs for a majority of its journey, offers views of beautiful scenery of rural Japan. Several rivers, valleys, mountains, and other natural landforms can be seen throughout the journey.

History

Service began on 1 March 1958. After Typhoon Tokage in 2004, the track suffered major damage from flooding. As a result, instead of going all the way to Toyama Station, trains could only go as far as Hida-Furukawa Station until 8 September 2007, when the track was repaired and again reached all the way to Toyama Station.

Rolling stock

Current rolling stock

HC85 series diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) hybrid trains were used on Hida services from 1 July 2022. Since JR Central's 18 March 2023 timetable revision, all Hida services have been operated using HC85 series trains.

Past rolling stock

KiHa 80 series DMUs were used from the start of operation in 1958 until 1990. KiHa 85 series trains were used from 1989 until 2023, usually operating as 3-, 4-, 6-, 7-, or 8-car formations, or occasionally 10-car formations, especially during busy seasons.