KUROBE GORGE
Ride the Torokko Train!
A v-shaped gorge carved through
the Northern Alps
KUROBE GORGE
Ride the Torokko Train!
A v-shaped gorge carved through
the Northern Alps
Kurobe Gorge
The Kurobe Gorge, a steep v-shaped valley carved through the Northern Alps, is one of the very remotest areas in Japan, and one that can only be seen on the Torokko train. In the roughly 20km from Unazuki to Keyakidaira, dynamic scenes that nature has woven together appear one after another. Make sure to stop by the hidden hot springs at each station.
Take a ride full of thrills up the ravine.
Kurobe Gorge Torokko Train
The tracks for the Torokko Train were originally laid to aid the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Kurobe River in the early Showa era. In 1971, a sightseeing train that lets visitors enjoy the natural wonders of the Kurobe Gorge began operations. The passenger cars include open cars without windows, relaxation cars with windows, and special cars with windows as well as rows of seats facing each other.
- Phone Number
- 0765-62-1011 (Kurobe Gorge Railway Sales Center)
A bridge that the Torokko track used to run over.
Yamabiko Bridge
The first bridge you cross when leaving Unazuki Station is the new Yamabiko Bridge. What you can see below from there is the Yamabiko Bridge, where the Torokko track used to run, and is now a pedestrian bridge. The origin of the name Yamabiko (“mountain echo”) is the sound of the train ringing out through the hot spring resort. Get your camera ready as soon as you leave the station so as not to miss the photo opportunity.
- Phone Number
- 0765-62-1011 (Kurobe Gorge Railway Sales Center)
The newest dam in Kurobe Gorge
Unazuki Dam
The Unazuki Dam, which comes into view after crossing the new Yamabiko Bridge, is the newest dam in the Kurobe Gorge, completed in 2001. The bright red arch of the Komen Bridge spans the huge reservoir behind the dam. The red of the bridge and the blue-green of the lake combine to produce a beautiful contrast. The reservoir holds the same volume of water as 20 Tokyo Domes.
- Phone Number
- 0765-62-1011 (Kurobe Gorge Railway Sales Center)
The gorge’s oldest open-air bath, located in a riverbed
Around Kuronagi Station
This is the first passenger station you arrive at after leaving Unazuki Station. Walk about 20 minutes up a mountain path from Kuronagi Station and you will arrive at Kuronagi Onsen. In the riverbed below the inn is the oldest open-air bath in Kurobe Gorge, which is also the source for the hot springs in Unazuki. It is 50 square meters in size, and mixed bathing, so wearing a swimsuit is permitted. It is an incredible feeling to take a bath surrounded by the majesty of nature.
- Phone Number
- 0765-62-1011 (Kurobe Gorge Railway Sales Center)
Take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of the valley.
Around Keyakidaira Station
The final station on the Kurobe Gorge Railway, and the one with the most sights to see. Popular walking spots include the Okukane Bridge, which spans the Kurobe River and looks out over the gorge, Hitokui Iwa, a path cut into the cliff face that looks as though it is swallowing people into the rock, and the Kawara observation platform, a view spot equipped with foot baths.
A stunning view designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
Sarutobikyo Gorge
Here, the main stream of the Kurobe river is at its narrowest, and the sight of the current turning at right-angles and throwing foam into the air is dramatic. The name derives from a story that, long ago, a monkey jumped right over the gorge. About 30 minutes’ walk from Keyakidaira Station is the Sarutobikyo observation platform, and walking paths are also maintained. It has been designated as one of Japan’s Special Places of Scenic Beauty and Special Natural Monuments.
The atmosphere of a secluded hot spring! Hot spring inns perched on the gorge
Keyakidaira Onsen and Meiken Onsen
There are two hot spring hotels in the vicinity of Keyakidaira Station. At Keyakidaira Onsen Sarutobi Sanso, which can be reached in about 3 minutes’ walk from the station, there is an open-air bath where you can soak as you look out over the Kurobe river. At Meiken Onsen, which is about 20 minutes’ walk from the station, there is an open-air bath made of rocks set on top of the cliff, giving it the atmosphere of a secluded hot spring.
A popular line-up of hands-on experiences that anyone can take part in
Unazuki International Hall / Selene Art Museum Workshops
An art gallery displaying works by 7 Japanese‐style painters depicting Kurobe’s natural environment. Inside the building, you can participate in a variety of creative hands-on experiences (workshops). The line-up of hands-on experiences that anyone can take part in is particularly popular, and includes making bags and umbrellas decorated with rubber stamps, as well as plastic sheet crafts. Duration: 30 minutes – 1 hour, no reservation required, fee payable.
- Address
- Unazuki Onsen 6-3, Kurobe City
- Phone Number
- 0765-62-2000
Go sightseeing on an ecofriendly electric bus
Relax and enjoy the breeze
The Denki Unazuki Project aims to transform the Unazuki Onsen area into a mountain eco-resort. Each year, the project operates a low-speed electric bus named EMU from early April to late November. The bus serves as one example of local production of renewable energy using small hydroelectric generation.
- Phone Number
- 0765-62-1106 (Association of Denki Unazuki)
Taste a selection of 3 German-style beers
Unazuki’s Local Beer
Unazuki Beer is Kurobe City’s famous local beer. The two-row barley that forms the beer’s raw material is grown locally, and it is brewed using underflow water from the Kurobe river. There are three types of German-style beer available, Kölsch “Jujikyo”, Altbier “Torokko”, and Bock “Kamoshika”, and they can be bought at the Unazuki Beer Hall and elsewhere.
- Phone Number
- 0765-65-2277 (Unazuki Beer Hall)
Enjoy the seafood caught at Kurobe’s fishing port
Gourmet Seafood
The seafood landed at Kurobe’s fishing port is fresh and richly varied. There are many restaurants in Kurobe City where you can enjoy its seafood, including bowls of seafood on rice, sushi, and dried fish packed with condensed flavor, so be sure to drop by. You can also enjoy seafood dishes at “Dekitate-kan” in the Ikuji Fish Station.
- Phone Number
- 0765-57-0192 (Ikuji Fish Station)
Start!
Sarutobikyo Gorge
Here, the main stream of the Kurobe river is at its narrowest, and the sight of the current twisting at right-angles is incredible. Take in the view from the Sarutobikyo observation platform.
Foot baths at the Kawara observation platform
An observation deck where you can look up at the Okukane Bridge. There are foot baths here drawn from the Babadani hot spring, and they can be used from the end of May to early November.
- Phone Number
- 0765-62-1011 (Kurobe Gorge Railway Sales Center)
Okukane Bridge
A red bridge over the main stream of the Kurobe River on the way to Meiken Onsen. You can admire the beauty of the valley from the bridge, which is 34m high.
Hitokui Iwa
A path cut out from the cliff face. Its name, “people-eating rock,” derives from the way that people walking along the path appear to be swallowed up by the rock.
Goal!
