The Kurobe Gorge Line
Kurobe Gorge Toyama (JNTO)
Through Toyama's pitcturesque gorge
Located in Toyama Prefecture, the Kurobe Gorge is a spectacular natural sight, especially in autumn when the forest is dressed in its most flamboyant colors. The railway line that runs through the gorge is the best way to enjoy it to the full.
A transformed railroad line
Set aside a day to make the most of the Kurobe Gorge railroad line, as it takes time to get there and travel from one end to the other. Note that you can plan to spend the night in one of the many ryokans in Unazuki-onsen to continue enjoying this jewel nestled in the heart of the mountains.
The Kurobe Gorge line was originally built in 1926 just to transport materials and workers for the construction of dams and hydroelectric plants. In the 1950s, rather than let the line deteriorate, it was decided to open it to the general public. Since then, the line's success has been undiminished by the sheer beauty of the natural environment.
The line is open to tourists from mid-April to the end of November. The rigors of winter mean that it is not open to all. From the Unazuki departure station, nine stations line the winding 20km route between high mountains, tunnels and, above all, bridges over the gorges.
Adapted trains
In addition to material transport trains, the Kurobe Gorge Company also runs tourist trains with open 'nose to the wind' carriages called 'torokko', ideal throughout the summer season. The often stifling heat of the Japanese summer will be felt less in the heart of these mountains, and even more pleasantly in these open carriages, which allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of the scenery, to watch the train move gently along the track on the mountainside, over lakes, overhuge red metal bridges that will make you dizzy... if you dare to open your eyes. The opposite would be a pity, as these are the most sensational passages. You can also choose to travel in conventional closed cars, with comfortable seats, at a slightly higher price.
As soon as you leave Unazuki, the great Yamabiko Bridge opens up to you, and you'll immediately feel the baptism of emptiness. There's another just beyond Kuronagi station, 64m high, and another before Kanetsuri station.
The locomotives are small, all orange, the oldest dating from 1935, but those guiding you through the gorge are more recent. Along the way, you're likely to come across work and material transport trains at stations.
Sights to discover
In Unazuki, a small spa town, ryokan hotels with onsen hot springs dominate the square, along with good restaurants serving local specialities, fish and vegetables.
There are a number of vantage points where you can enjoy the view of the gorge, including a pedestrian bridge over the railway bridge, where you can take superb photos of the trains in the landscape, then set off on a short nature walk along the gorge.
The first dam you'll see, towards Unazuki, is also the most recent, having been built in 2001.
En route, Yanagibashi station is home to a curiosity in the form ofa power station disguised as a medieval... European castle!
At Kuronagi station, you can disembark to take the path along a river that leads to an onsen.
When you stop at some stations, there's nothing to see but... the station itself, which is the main crossing point for trains on the single-track line.
At present (summer 2024), the line stops at Nekomata station, as rehabilitation work prevents it from going any further.
Under normal circumstances, the line continues to the Keyakidaira terminus. Near this station, a path runs under the rock, which forms a giant maw that seems to devour you.
Kurobe Gorge Railway, Yanagibashi castle (JNTO)
