Kurobe Gorge is a V-shaped steep gorge dug in the Kita Alps, a remote area accessible only by the Torokko train. On the 20 km journey from Unazuki to Keyakidaira, you can admire cliffs, emerald green lakes and railway bridges in the heart of a beautiful natural landscape. Trains operate on a seasonal basis from April to November and are more popular in the fall when the wooded slopes along the railway line follow their autumn colours.
Unazuki station
Unazuki Station, the starting point of the Kurobe Gorge Railway, is located in Unazuki Onsen, a small spa town at the entrance to the gorges. The city offers some thermal baths, hotels, ryokans, museums and hiking trails that lead to the gorge.
Shin Yamabiko Bridge
Shin Yamabiko bright red bridge marks the entrance to Kurobe gorge. With a length of 166 meters, it is the longest bridge that spans the Kurobe River. It can be seen from Unazuki Station, the Yamabiko observation platform in the hills surrounding the station, or from the nearby pedestrian bridge.
Selene Art Museum
The Selene Museum of Art is a small art museum whose permanent collection is based on the theme of nature in the Kurobe gorges. The museum features paintings by contemporary Japanese artists such as Tabuchi Toshio, Hirayama Ikuo and Tezuka Yuji. Entry costs 620 yen.
Kurobe River Electrical Memorial
The Kurobe River Electric Memorial Hall is a small museum dedicated to the history of electricity generation along the river. The museum presents exhibitions and videos on the various dams and power plants along the river and on the railway that was created to facilitate their construction. Admission is free.
Keyakidaira station
Keyakidaira Train Station, a terminal of the Kurobe Gorge Railway, is about 600 metres above sea level, where the Babadani River meets the Kurobe River. Trails lead to various attractions around the station, which houses an observation terrace, a souvenir shop and an information centre.
Sarutobikyo Gorges
Sarutobikyo () is a beautiful gorge dug in the rock by the Kurobe River. A nice 10 to 15 minute walk by the river leads to an observation terrace where you can admire the tumultuous river flowing through the steep cliffs of the gorge.
Bridge of Okukane
Okukane Bridge is a 34-metre-high red pedestrian bridge that spans the Kurobe River just opposite Keyakidaira Station. The bridge connects the railway station to Babadani and Meiken Onsen, two ryokan with thermal baths, 15 and 60 minutes further on the trail.
Foot bath
A large foot bath (ashiyu) is located on a platform along the river below the Okukane Bridge. The covered foot bath can accommodate up to a dozen people and offers beautiful views of the bridge above and the river below.
Hitokui Iwa
The road along the far side of the bridge of Okukane is cut directly into the steep cliff. The cliff, known as Hitokui Iwa (“people eating rock”), is curved above the head, giving the impression that a huge stone mouth swallows the trail.
Go to the throats
From Kyoto or Osaka to Kurobe Gorges
Take the JR Thunderbird Limited Express to Kanazawa Station. Then transfer to JR Hokuriku Shinkansen towards Kurobe Unazuki Onsen station.
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