The Limited Express Hida for Gifu, Gero, and Takayama

The Hida is a limited express service bound for the scenic town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. The train is named after the historical province of Hida in northern Gifu. Current Hida services use JR Central’s HC85 hybrid trains, which replaced the previous-generation trains that carried the “Wide View Hida” name.

Most Hida services run between Nagoya Station and Takayama, Hida-Furukawa or Toyama via the Takayama Main Line. For travelers starting in Osaka, there is also one direct round trip each day between Osaka Station and Takayama Station. This Osaka – Takayama service runs over JR West and JR Central lines. Ordinary-car travel on the Hida is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but the pass does not guarantee a seat, so seat reservations are recommended. Green Car use requires a Green Car pass or the required additional charges.

Key Destinations

The direct Hida from Osaka runs along the Tokaido Main Line area from Osaka Station, then continues from Gifu onto the Takayama Main Line. Current Osaka – Takayama direct services stop at the following stations:

Osaka – Shin-Osaka – Kyoto – Kusatsu – Maibara – Ogaki – Gifu – Mino-Ota – Gero – Takayama

At Gifu Station, the Osaka portion of the train is coupled with or split from the Nagoya portion of the Hida before continuing on the Takayama Main Line. Check the destination display and car number before boarding, especially if you are traveling beyond Gifu.

The following stations are the locations you are most likely to visit en route. Train times and fares are given from Osaka Station. Fares below are normal-season adult one-way ordinary reserved-seat fares. Fares can vary by season and seat type, and non-reserved fares may be lower when non-reserved seats are available.

Gifu Station

Gifu is the capital city of Gifu Prefecture. The city is best known for Gifu Castle, which sits atop Mount Kinka in the middle of the city. Gifu Castle’s tower and museum are closed for renovation from May 19, 2026 until late October 2027, with reopening planned for November 2027, but the Mount Kinka Ropeway and mountain viewpoints remain important parts of a visit to the area. Also on the mountain is an observation area with dramatic views over the city, and a “Squirrel Village” where visitors can enjoy close encounters with the different species of squirrel that live on the mountain. Among the city’s other points of interest are its many museums, the Gifu Great Buddha Statue in Shohoji Temple, and summertime cormorant fishing on the Nagara River.

Gero Station

The town of Gero is best known as a hot spring spa resort. Gero Onsen is traditionally counted as one of Japan’s three top hot spring resorts, along with Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture and Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, the town is renowned for its scenic views, which can be enjoyed in all seasons from local inns, public baths and open-air rotemburo-style baths.

Takayama Station

The city of Takayama is a popular sightseeing location, known for its beautifully preserved wooden buildings, temples, museums and the colorful Takayama Festival, which takes place twice a year in spring and autumn. One of the biggest attractions is the Hida-no-Sato Folk Village, an outdoor museum with traditional thatched-roof farmhouses and demonstrations of local crafts and traditional farming life. In winter, Takayama is also a base for trips into the surrounding snow-country mountains.

Timetable

Departure times are given for the main stations en route and arrival times at the final stops of Takayama and Osaka. Always check current schedules before traveling, as train times and operating dates can change.

Hida #25	Osaka	Shin-Osaka	Kyoto	Gifu	Gero	Takayama
Weekdays	7:58	8:04	8:31	9:56	11:30	12:14
Saturday, Sunday & holidays	8:02	8:07	8:34	around 9:56	around 11:30	12:14
Hida #36	Takayama	Gero	Gifu	Kyoto	Shin-Osaka	Osaka
Daily	15:34	16:18	around 17:45	19:18	19:45	19:50

Useful Information

The Limited Express Hida #25, bound for Takayama, currently departs from Osaka Station’s platform 11, Shin-Osaka Station’s platform 4, and Kyoto Station’s platform 0. Always check the departure boards at the station before boarding, as platforms can change.

Ordinary cars on the Hida normally include reserved and non-reserved seating, but reservations are strongly recommended for the long journey to Gero or Takayama. During busy travel periods, Hida services run with all seats reserved and no non-reserved cars. These all-reserved periods are April 24-May 6, August 7-16, September 18-23, and December 25-January 5, 2027.

Because the direct Osaka – Takayama Hida runs only once each way each day, travelers who need a different departure time can travel from Shin-Osaka or Kyoto to Nagoya by Tokaido Shinkansen, then transfer to one of the more frequent Nagoya-side Hida services.

To look up connection times quickly and easily use the JR West Route Maps and Timetables page.

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 31-Jul-2026.