🗺️ Kurobe Gorge黒部峡谷

The Kurobe Gorge is a deep and wide V-shaped canyon formed by the erosion of the Kurobe River. It originates from the waters of the Tsurugidake, located in the Northern Alps, and flows for 86 kilometers between the Tateyama mountain range and the Hōkiritake mountain range, cascading down steep slopes with an elevation difference of up to 3,000 meters. The only way to access this rugged canyon is by the sightseeing train. From the "Unazuki" station, the train sways along for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, passing through 8 stops before finally arriving at the "Kusuhira" station, approximately 20 kilometers away. Along the route, there are many famous sights, including the "Saru Tobikyo," a special scenic spot and natural monument, the "Okuzon Bridge," which spans 34 meters above the surface of the Kurobe River, and the breathtaking "Man-eating Rock" created by nature, as well as several outdoor hot spring baths and foot baths. Walking along the trails beside the canyon allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery of all four seasons. There are two types of trains. One is the open-type (windowless) ordinary passenger car that offers a completely open feeling, and the other is the spacious "Shiyō" car, which can be chosen based on the season, travel purpose, and number of companions. Both the departure station in Unazuki and the destination station in Kusuhira have restaurants that sell various bento boxes for passengers to enjoy during the ride.

There are various trails with different options depending on the time and purpose. After the business starts each year (around mid-April to early May), services operate on certain sections (round trips from Unazuki Station to the midway station). During peak periods, seats are often hard to come by, so it is recommended to make reservations in advance on the official website.