Ride the Kurobe Gorge Railway
Running 20km from Unazuki Station to Keyakidaira Station, the Kurobe Gorge Railway is one of Japan’s most scenic train-rides. Taking approximately 80 minutes to complete the journey between Unazuki and Keyakidaira, the line follows the Kuronagi River along the heavily forested gorge and in doing so, passes over 20 bridges and through around 40 tunnels. The start point, Unazuki Onsen, is a charming hot spring town with numerous restaurants, footbaths and even a small nature hike where you can get views of the beautiful valley. At the end is Keyakidaira, deep in the mountains and where you can walk around amazingly beautiful gorge. This area is one that will leave you stunned in its exquisite natural beauty and leave you with a memory that will last a lifetime.
Explore more about the Kurobe Gorge Railway below!
— One of Japan’s Most Scenic Train Lines
— Highlights of the Kurobe Gorge Railway
— Unazuki Onsen: Stay & Enjoy the Hot Springs
— Tours & Charters to the Kurobe Gorge
— How To Get To The Kurobe Gorge
ONE OF JAPAN’S MOST SCENIC TRAIN LINES
Regularly cited as one of Japan’s most beautiful gorges and train journeys, the Kurobe Gorge Railway is a single track, narrow-gauge train line that follows the Kuronagi River along the beautiful ravine. It was originally built as part of the construction of the nearby Kurobe Dam, today, the railway is a popular sightseeing train running from Unazuki Station to Keyakidaira Station. Running between those stations, the line extends 20km over more than 20 bridges and through 40 tunnels stopping at three stations – Kuronagi Kanetsuri and Keyakidaira.
Passengers can ride all the way to Keyakidaira or disembark at the earlier stations. Along the route there are additional stations that are not open to the public.
The railway is open to the public from mid-April until late-November, the railway is busiest in autumn, when the forested gorge turns a stunning mix of red, amber, gold and brown. The beautiful autumn leaves draw visitors from all over Japan, a truly spectacular journey and experience.
Trains include a variety of cars, most of which are open-sided with four-person bench seats. Being open to the elements, the railway connects passengers to the landscape through which they are moving – a truly beautiful and engaging experience. Some trains also include sealed carriages with more spacious seating which can be booked at an additional cost.
From Unazuki Station, the following times and fares apply:
to Kuronagi: 25 min
to Kanetsuri: 60 min
to Keyakidaira: 80 min
*Please note, in April and May, some services also stop and allow passengers to disembark at Sasadaira Station. For daily train schedules, refer to our ‘Kurobe Gorge Railway Timetable’ page.
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen | |
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| Period | May to November |
| Time | 08:00 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 / 24,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥24,000 / 21,000 |
To get the full experience out of your visit, we recommend going with a guide! Our above group tour includes a ride on the railway as well as a visit to Unazuki Onsen to soak in the hot spring town vibes. None of your questions will go unanswered as the guide skillfully tells the story of this area from ancient times until the present, and how mankind has learned to control the forces of nature for our own benefit. You can also leave transport and connections up to the careful watch of your guide, leaving you free to spend less time looking at timetables and more time looking at the amazing scenery right in front of you.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE KUROBE GORGE RAILWAY
The open-air carriages allow passengers to savor the beauty of the gorge before exploring on foot along walking trails leading to outdoor hot springs and guesthouses.
The railway runs from Unazuki Station to Keyakidaira Station. Enroute it passes through numerous tunnels and over many bridges, offering spectacular views of the gorge and river from the open-air carriages. For the best views, try to secure a seat on the righthand side of train for journey from Unazuki to Keyakidaira, and on the left from Keyakidaira to Unazuki.
Along the 20km route, there are several stations of which only two are open to the public all season – Kuronagi Station and Kanetsuri Station*. When riding the train, you can enjoyed the following highlights:
Unazuki Station Area
Trains run to and from Unazuki Station loocated next to Unazuki Onsen Station. The area is therefore accessible using the Toyama Chiho Railway Main Line from Shin-Kurobe Station – adjoining Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station – or from Dentetsu Toyama Station – nearby Toyama Station. Unazuki Onsen is a hot spring town with a variety of accommodations – a great place to base yourself when riding the Kurobe Gorge Railway.
As you undertake your journey on the railway from Unazuki Station, passengers quickly encounter Unazuki Dam, Shin-Yanagawara Power Plant and Shin-Yamabiko Bridge. Set against the forested gorge and sparking waters of the river and dam, the contrast of these solid industrial structures affords some great photography.
Kuronagi Station Area
Approximately 6.5km along the track, the first stop is Kuronagi Station.
From the platform, a stair descends to the river where a walking track heads to the open-air Kuronagi Onsen and famous sight of an old aqueduct. There is also one guesthouse in the area. Immediately upon leaving the station, the train passes over the Atobiki Bridge. Measuring 64 meters in length and 60 meters in height, this bridge spans the deepest ravine within the overall Kurobe Gorge.
Kanetsuri Station Area
Kanetsuri is the next station along the track, around 14.5km from Unazuki Station. Passengers choosing to disembark here can descend to the river and a secluded hot spring. A couple of observation points also allow for views of surrounding landscape including the unique sight of the ‘Kurobe Mannen Yuki’, snowfall that remains in the gorge all year round. There is one guesthouse located immediately next to the train platform.
Keyakidaira Station Area
The final top is Keyakidaira Station at the end of the 20km track. As the final stop and destination for most passengers, Keyakidaira also has the most to do and see including several walking tracks, outdoor springs, viewing platforms and restaurants.
Okukane Bridge spans the Kuronagi River at 34 meters height, connecting the Babadani and Meiken Onsen areas. Walking tracks range from 10 to 60 minutes (one-way) on both sides of the river with a couple of guesthouses to choose from should you wish to stay the night and return to Unazuki the next day – make sure to book in advance.
*Please note, in April and May, some services also stop and allow passengers to disembark at Sasadaira Station. For daily train schedules, refer to our ‘Kurobe Gorge Railway Timetable’ page.
ABOUT THE GORGE
The mountains in the east of Toyama prefecture have many famous spots including the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route and the Kurobe Gorge. Although technically close to each other, they are separated by some of the tallest mountains in Japan with no direct connection (yet). The Kurobe Gorge can be found east of Unazuki Onsen town in the valley of the Kurobe River. Although it takes a lot of time to get there, the location in the deep mountains of Central Japan make it a ‘must-go’ if you want to see the kind of alpine scenery Japan has to offer.
Kurobe Gorge is the product of the Kurobe River that flows from the middle of the Northern Japanese Alps. It starts from a height of 3,000 meters and winds its way 86 kilometers to the sea. This river creates the deep and spectacular V-shaped gorge that is known as the deepest in Japan. The gorge is best experienced riding the 20 kilometer, open-carriage Kurobe Gorge Railway. Operating from Unazuki Station to Keyakidaira Station, the train winds through the trees and over the river while traveling through the gorge. The mix of tall mountains, red bridges, blue-green water and stones throughout make for scenery that is difficult to forget.
UNAZUKI ONSEN: STAY & ENJOY THE HOT SPRINGS
The Kurobe Gorge Railway runs to and from Unazuki Station. Located in the hot spring town of Unazuki Onsen, visitors to the area have the option to staying locally and enjoying one of the town’s many guesthouses – many of which have their own ‘onsen’.
‘Onsen’ (natural hot springs) come in all shapes and sizes in Japan. Some are ancient, run-down and a little bit wild while others are modern, stylish and indulgent. Many are open to the public as daytime spas open to the public however just as many are inside or attached to hotels and guesthouses and for the exclusive use of overnight guests.
Known as ‘ryokan’ or ‘minshuku’ in Japanese, staying at an onsen hotel is a fantastic option for guests wanting a truly immersive experience.
Ryokan can be found throughout Japan and there is certainly not shortage in Central Japan. All of the recommended onsen towns in the region have built their reputations on the unique properties of their water and number of accommodation options they offer. Hotels typically reserve use of their onsen exclusively for their guests and often offer private onsen, known as ‘kashikiri-buro’, which can be arranged at time of check-in (possibly at a small additional fee).
For accommodation options, please refer to our ‘Unazuki Onsen & Kurobe Gorge’ hotel page.
TOURS & CHARTERS TO THE KUROBE GORGE
We offer one tour that can guide you along this iconic scenery. Starting from either Kanazawa or Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station, you will hop on the Toyama Chiho Railway for a short trip to Unazuki Onsen itself. The onsen town has some nice traditional buildings, many footbaths, interesting shrines/temples and, most interestingly, a nature walk around the valley surrounding the town. Some of the pictures on this page are from the lookout point. It really sets the stage for the type of beautiful scenery you’ll see soon. Your guide can help you find the perfect picture.
After returning to the town, it’ll be time to start the journey on the Kurobe Gorge Railway. You can ride in the toroko cars, the open air cars, or the normal train cars. The feel of the fresh mountain air as you ride along the mountains and over bridges is magical. The journey one way is about 90 minutes as you wind through stunning landscapes. The last stop at Keyakidaira will see you get off the train to hike around the area. There are all different sights here, from footbaths along the river to rocks that look like they “eat people.” It is a wonderful experience to explore the deep mountains before having to return back to society.
The rest of the trip is the return by the toroko train and then the Toyama Chiho back to Unazuki Onsen and then Kanazawa. If this type of trip interests you, feel free to check out the tour card below!
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen | |
|
| |
| Period | May to November |
| Time | 08:00 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 / 24,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥24,000 / 21,000 |
Charter Tours
For guests wanting to visit the Kurobe Gorge in the comfort of their own vehicle, we can arrange both a private tour customized to fit your needs, starting and ending at any destination.
Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations, in combination with any activity that suits your interests and schedule.
We can arrange a visit to the Kurobe Gorge in combination with any activity or destination in the nearby region, and should you wish, also include an accompanying English-speaking guide.
For tips and suggestions of other activities destinations nearby the Kurobe Gorge Railway, refer to our ’25 things to do in & around Toyama‘, ’25 things to do in & around Kanazawa’ and ’25 things to do in & around the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route’ pages.
Got a question about visiting the Kurobe Gorge? Feel free to contact us and let’s get planning together!
HOW TO GET TO THE KUROBE GORGE
Located in Toyama Prefecture, Kurobe Gorge lies around 50km / 60-minutes to the north-east of Toyama City. Regarded as one of the most beautiful gorges in Japan, Kurobe is best-enjoyed riding the Kurobe Gorge Railway – a 20km / 80-minute scenic line running to and from Unazuki Station along the Kurobe River. Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station is the nearest major station to the gorge. It is a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Tsuruga via , Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen can be reached in 140 to 150-minutes from the capital, 35-minutes from Kanazawa and 50-minutes from Nagano.
For more specific information please visit the “How to Get to the Kurobe Gorge” page.
