Kurobe Gorge Railway: The Perfect Autumn Day Trip
When people think of scenic train rides in Japan, most tend to think of well-known ones like the Sagano Romantic Train near Kyoto or the luxury Seven Stars in Kyushu (which has a luxury price tag attached!). But if you’re looking for somewhere a bit less touristy (and arguably more spectacular, especially in autumn) then the Kurobe Gorge Railway is one of the best day trips you can take.
Especially in autumn, this is hands down one of the most breathtaking rail journeys I’ve done in Japan. It’s ideal as a day trip from Toyama, Kanazawa or Nagano, but can even be squeezed in as a long day trip from Tokyo or Kyoto if you’re up for the ride. I stayed in Toyama and did the train ride as a day trip from there, but some people in our train carriage had done it as a day trip from Kyoto and said it was totally worth the long day!
Note: We actually went on the very last day it was open before winter closure in 2023. Just a few weeks later, the 2024 Noto Earthquake hit, and parts of the route were destroyed. In 2025, it’s still not completely reopened, but the majority of the route has reopened. So while it’s not quite fully operational now, it’s still absolutely worth doing. Here’s everything you need to know about taking the Kurobe Gorge Railway in autumn!
The easiest way to get your Kurobe Gorge Railway tickets is to buy a Kurobe Gorge Railway Pass on Klook!
Buy your round-trip Kurobe Gorge Railway ticket on Klook, with free cancellation in case of a change of plans (or weather)!
Book Here!Why Visit the Kurobe Gorge Railway?
Kurobe Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in Japan, carved by the Kurobe River and surrounded by the Northern Alps. The sightseeing train that runs through it was originally built to aid the construction of the Kurobe Dam, but today it’s open to the public and offers some of the best views you’ll get without needing to hike a mountain (which is my kind of vibe).
Tracks were first laid in 1923, to transport materials for the construction of a power plant and dam in the Kurobe Gorge. Initially, the line only ran 11.8km from Unazuki to Nekomata, but was extended in 1937 to reach Keyakidaira. In 1953, the railway transitioned to passenger services as the ‘Kurobe Railway’.
The railway winds through narrow ravines, over dramatic bridges, and past tiny mountain stations. It’s an old-school sightseeing train: genuinely about the journey, not just the destination. Depending on when you go, you may even be travelling in one of the open-air ‘Torokko‘ trains. Since we went at the very end of November (November 30th, to be precise!), they were only running the ‘first class’ trains, which are fully enclosed but have windows that you can open. Given that it was snowing by the time we reached the top, I’m pretty glad we weren’t in an open-air carriage!
Note: So, what on earth is a Torokko train?! Well, the word actually comes from the English word “truck” and was originally used to describe the mining carts that transported materials during construction work. These days, Torokko trains refer to open-air passenger carriages, built with the basics for comfort but designed to give you the best views possible. It’s all about the scenery with these!
Kurobe Gorge is especially magical in autumn when the mountains turn shades of gold, red and burnt orange. It can get busy during this period due to the fiery foliage, so make sure you book ahead!
Kurobe Gorge Railway specifically highlight the dates of October 20th to November 10th as being the best for peak foliage, but keep an eye on forecasts as this can vary year to year. Currently, the “expected best viewing period” for autumn leaves at Kurobe Gorge is from November 6th to November 24th.
Kurobe Gorge Railway: The Basics
The Kurobe Gorge Railway typically operates from 20th April to 30th November each year, closing over winter due to snow and weather risks. Trains start from Unazuki Station and, before the earthquake, would run all the way to Keyakidaira.
However, following the 2024 Noto Earthquake, parts of the line were badly damaged. As of now (updated 2025), the trains only run as far as Nekomata Station, which still gives you stunning views and enough time to enjoy the gorge. Many of my favourite views were before this point, meaning that you’ll not miss out on much while the final section is still being repaired! There’s even talk of the Kurobe Gorge Railway being eventually connected to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, making it even more of an epic alpine train adventure. This was originally planned for 2024, but due to the earthquake, this was put on hold, so we may see this route in 2026 or 2027.
Trains run roughly every 40–60 minutes during peak season, but timetables vary by month, so it’s best to double-check the latest schedule on their official site.
Top Tip: Sit on the right-hand side when going from Unazuki into the gorge if you can! It’s where most of the best views are. That said, sitting on the left-hand side isn’t going to be terrible, as you’ll get some great views on that side too. But if you have to sit on the left-hand side going up, sitting on the left-hand side going down will mean you get to see anything you missed out on!
Why Autumn is the Best Time to Visit Kurobe Gorge
While the gorge is undeniably beautiful in spring and summer, autumn is when it really comes to life. The colours are simply unreal. The vivid contrast between the rust-red leaves and the turquoise river below is something I won’t forget any time soon.
We visited at the end of November (literally the last day it was open) and even then, there were still beautiful colours clinging to the trees. There’s something really special about taking the final train of the year before it closes down for winter. If you’re lucky like we were, you may even get a dusting of snow as you travel further into the mountains!
If you’re travelling in October or November, definitely make sure to book tickets in advance, especially on weekends or public holidays.
Tip: Japan has public holidays on 13th October 2025 as well as the 3rd and 23rd of November 2025. The 23rd November is Labour Day, and since it falls on a Sunday this year, it will be a public holiday on the 24th instead. So if you can go on days that aren’t weekends, the 13th October or the 3rd and 24th November, I’d recommend doing so!
How to Get to the Kurobe Gorge Railway
It’s surprisingly easy to reach, especially if you’re based in Toyama, Nagano or Kanazawa. You can even do the Kurobe Gorge Railway as a day trip from Kyoto or Tokyo, but it’ll be a pretty long day!
For planning my travel around Japan, I usually use Japan Travel by NaviTime, but Klook is also an ideal choice for planning routes and booking your Shinkansen tickets!
Here’s how to get to the Kurobe Gorge Railway from various cities:
🚄 From Toyama to the Kurobe Gorge Railway
There are a few options from Toyama, which is the most convenient city hub for going to Kurobe Gorge. It’s also where we based ourselves while we visited this region of Japan! It’s not as popular as Kanazawa in next-door Ishikawa, meaning that accommodation can be more affordable. It’s also a good base for visiting places like Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, Kanazawa, and also Tateyama Ropeway, which is another spectacular place to visit in autumn. If we’d had enough time, we would have done the ropeway as well!
- Fastest route: Shinkansen (Hakutaka direction Tokyo) from Toyama to Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen (20 min), walk 6 minutes to Shin-Kurobe, then a local train Toyama Rail Main Line to Unazukionsen Station (25 min) [Total cost: ¥2,210]
- Slower route with no changes: Local train Toyama Rail Main Line from Dentetsu-Toyama to Unazukionsen (approx. 1h45) [Total cost: ¥2,160]
- Cheapest route: Local Ainokaze Toyama Railway Line from Toyama to Uozu (24 min), walk 13 minutes to Shin-Uozu, then local train Toyama Rail Main Line to Unazukionsen (55 min) [Total cost: ¥1,680]
🚄 From Nagano to Kurobe Gorge
Nagano is another convenient base and is ideal for a day trip to Kurobe Gorge. Nagano is on the shinkansen line to Toyama, and was actually where we stopped off for the day on our journey from Toyama to Tokyo.
- Best route: Shinkansen (Hakutaka direction Kanazawa or Tsuruga) from Nagano to Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen (45 min), walk 6 minutes to Shin-Kurobe, then local train Toyama Rail Main Line to Unazukionsen (25 mins) [Total cost: ¥6,680]
🚄 From Kanazawa to Kurobe Gorge
If you’re keen to base yourself in Kanazawa (which is a city well worth visiting!), then you can reach the start station for the Kurobe Gorge Railway in around one and a half hours.
- Fastest route: Shinkansen (Hakutaka direction Tokyo) from Kanazawa to Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen (1 hour), then local train to Unazukionsen (25 mins) [Total cost: ¥4,300]
- Cheapest route: Local train IR Ishikawa Railway Line from Kanazawa to Namerikawa (approx. 1h30), then local train Toyama Rail Main Line to Unazukionsen (1h10) [Total cost: ¥2,970]
🚄 From Tokyo to Kurobe Gorge
If you are mainly staying in and around the Kanto region, then you can visit Kurobe Gorge as a day trip from Tokyo! Just be aware that you’ll be spending around six hours on trains to get there and back, and that’s not even including the Kurobe Gorge Railway itself!
However, it is entirely possible, and the journey takes around three hours in total.
- Best route: Shinkansen (Hakutaka direction Kanazawa or Tsuruga) to Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen (2.5 hours), walk 6 minutes to Shin-Kurobe, then local train Toyama Rail Main Line (25 min) or Shinkansen Kurobe 23 Go (20 min) [Total cost: ¥12,290]
🚄 From Kyoto to Kurobe Gorge
Just like travelling from Tokyo, it’s going to be a long day. Travelling from Kyoto also means having to change shinkansen at Tsuruga, so it may take longer depending on the duration between your train to Tsuruga and the train departing from there to Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen. The journey usually takes around 3-4 hours in total each way.
- Best route: Shinkansen (Thunderbird) to Tsuruga (1 hour), then Shinkansen (Hakutaka direction Tokyo) to Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen (1.5 hours), walk 6 minutes to Shin-Kobe, then local train Toyama Rail Main Line (25 mins) [Total cost: ¥11,300]
🎟️ Note: The final section from Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen to Unazukionsen and the Kurobe Gorge Railway itself are not covered by the JR Pass.
[Klook JR Pass widget]
How Much Does the Kurobe Gorge Railway Cost?
The cost depends on how far you travel on the route, but for the full route (Unazuki to Nekomata and back), it will cost you ¥2,820 for adults, plus ¥600 for the more comfortable closed carriage (recommended in colder weather). For children, the price is lower, with a round-trip ticket costing ¥1,420.
As always, check the official site for current pricing!
Looking for the easiest way to buy Kurobe Gorge Railway tickets? Buy your tickets on Klook, with free cancellation included in case of a change of plans (or weather).
Tickets can be reserved online, which I’d recommend doing in advance during the autumn season. It does get busy, especially with domestic tourists, during the peak of autumn colours!
Kurobe Gorge Railway Itinerary
Even with the line ending at Nekomata, there’s still loads to enjoy. Here are some highlights to watch for or stop at along the way!
Shinyamabiko Bridge: The first bridge you’ll cross on the train after leaving Unazuki station! From this bridge, you can also see the old Yamabiko Bridge that the train used to run across, but is now a pedestrian bridge only.
Kuronagi Station: One of the best places to hop off for a walk to Kuronagi Onsen (if you have time, and this is more popular in the warmer months!). It’s a rustic riverside onsen you can hike to from the station, taking about 15 minutes each way. A lot of people get off at this station to be able to watch the train crossing Atobiki Bridge.
Atobiki Bridge: Just after Kuronagi, this blue iron bridge crosses the Kuronagi River at a height of 60 metres. This is one of the highest railway bridges in Japan. The views down into the gorge are both amazing and mildly terrifying (if you’re not good with heights, like my unlucky husband). Apparently, the name comes from the fact that the valley is so deep that you instinctively step back.
Komen Bridge: Another scenic spot you’ll see from the train, and this one is especially beautiful if you’re there while the leaves are changing.
Dashidaira Dam: While not a main stop, this is a scenic engineering marvel you’ll spot from the train. Keep an eye out! It’s particularly impressive to watch when the water is being flushed out of the reservoir!
Nekomata Station: This is currently the end of the line. There’s not a huge amount here, but it’s a great place to walk around a bit, take photos, and then catch your return train. There’s a souvenir shop (and toilets!), and you’ll have 20 minutes to explore before the next train back.
Where to Stay Near the Kurobe Gorge Railway
We stayed in Toyama, which I’d definitely recommend. It’s a lovely city with great food (don’t skip the Toyama Black Ramen!) and super convenient for this trip.
My #1 choice of where to stay in Toyama is the DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama
We stayed here and it was perfect! A great location near the station, excellent service and the beds are super comfy.
Book Here!If you’d rather stay closer to the gorge, there are a couple of ryokan and hotels in Kurobe and Unazuki Onsen itself, many with their own hot springs. Perfect for relaxing after the train ride!
Best hotel in Kurobe: HOTEL R9 The Yard
- 9.2 rating
- from $62 per night
- Highly rated for helpful staff (with great English)
Looking for a hotel with an onsen? Don’t miss Entaijiso, a beautiful ryokan in Unazuki Onsen, with half board rates starting at $300 per night.
Kurobe Gorge in Autumn: A Definite Yes!
Kurobe Gorge Railway is one of those experiences that sticks with you. It’s peaceful and scenic, especially in autumn when all the leaves are changing colour.
If you’re planning a trip to central Japan and looking for something a bit special, this is it. Even with the currently shortened route due to earthquake damage, it’s still an unforgettable journey.
