Hida (train)

Hida

A JR Central KiHa 85 series DMU at Mino-Ōta station on a Hida service.
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
First service	1 March 1958
Current operator(s)	JR Central
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Start	Nagoya, Ōsaka
Stops	23
End	Takayama, Hida-Furukawa, Toyama
Distance travelled	166.7 km (103.6 mi) (Nagoya - Takayama) 181.6 km (112.8 mi) (Nagoya - Hida-Furukawa) 256.1 km (159.1 mi) (Nagoya - Toyama) 296.5 km (184.2 mi) (Ōsaka - Takayama)
Average journey time	2 hours (Nagoya - Takayama) 4 hours (Nagoya - Toyama) 4 hours 15 minutes (Ōsaka - Takayama)
Service frequency	11 return workings daily
Line(s) used	Tōkaidō Main Line, Takayama Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard (reserved & non-reserved) + Green
Disabled access	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	None
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilets, drinks vending machine, WiFi
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 85 series DMU
Electrification	Diesel
Operating speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)	JR Central, JR West

The Hida (ひだ, Hida) 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, Ōsaka and Takayama in 4 hours 15 minutes and Nagoya and Toyama in 4 hours. The Hida serves various locations en route such as Gifu and Gero. Like all JR Central limited express trains, a limited express fee has to be paid, on top of the normal fare to ride this service.

Overview[]

5 round trips operate from Nagoya to Takayama, and five more continue past Takayama to Hida-Furukawa and Toyama. Additionally, one service runs from Ōsaka to Takayama. This service runs from Ōsaka to Gifu before coupling with a Hida service from Nagoya and continuing to Takayama. ^[1][2] Trains operate at a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

Stations[]

Stations in brackets () are stations where not all Hida services stop at.

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

The section of the route between Inotani to Toyama and Maibara to Ōsaka 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. What’s worth to notice is that there are two types of Green class. All standard class and Green classes in the middle of the train have 2+2 seat formations, while such Green class are more comfortable yet expensive than standard class. Another type of Green class are located at the front or the end of the car, featuring an even more comfortable 2+1 seat formation, with a panorama view through the driver’s cab. Some panorama seats are cheaper as they are standard reserved or even non-reserved 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 service is known for its window that wraps around the cockpit offering un-interrupted views of the tracks in front of or behind the train; hence, a longer name for this service is Wide View Hida as is the case for other JR Central limited express services. Passengers who wish to take a panorama seat will have to pay an additional fare above basic fare and limited express fare (whether it is standard reserved/non-reserved or Green class) and require the seat specifically.^[3]

History[]

This section needs expansion. You can help by . (March 2020)

The 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 September 8, 2007, when the track was repaired and again reached all the way to Toyama Station.^[4]

Rolling stock[]

Current rolling stock[]

All trains are formed of KiHa 85 diesel multiple unit (DMU) sets.

• Formations[]

Usually as 3-, 4-, 6-, 7-, or 8-car formations, or occasionally 10-car formations, especially during busy seasons.

Past rolling stock[]

KiHa 80 series DMUs were used from the start of operation in 1958 until 1990. KiHa 85 series trains have been used since 1989.

Future rolling stock[]

New HC85 series hybrid trains are planned to be introduced on the service in 2022.

References[]