Kurobe Gorge is a beautiful forested ravine in the rugged mountain ranges of Japan Northern Alps. This deepest gorge of Japan was formed through erosion in a shape of a V and was totally unexplored before Showa period (1922-1989). People only began to visit the area after the operation of Kurotetsu sightseeing train. Kurobe Gorge Railway was completed in year 1963 and was built originally to serve the construction of the Kurobe Dam managed by Kansai Electric Company. Today it runs 27 locomotives with 138 passenger carriages and 322 freight wagons.
The bright crimson steel bridge named as Shin Yamabiko, is the first to across after leaving the station. Yamabiko means mountain echo and it earns its name from the echoes created when the train is crossing it.
The 166 meters long Shin Yamabiko is the longest bridge in the Gorge.
There are more than 20 bridges and over 40 tunnels to come across during the 20km journey from Unazuki to the last station of Keyakidaira.
The falls season in the Gorge lasts from mid October to end November as most of its mountains covers large elevation ranges.
The bright fall foliage of the forested slopes along the railway.
The bridge that spans the steepest and deepest valley along the rail line is the blue Atobiki Bridge after Kuronagi Station. It has a height of 60 meters with 64 meter of length. Atobiki means "step back" as this is the normal reaction of passengers when facing such bottomless valley.
The sightseeing trains have a variety of cars with majority opened sided coaches with 4 persons bench seats. Tickets for the few enclosed cars with more comfortable seating though are higher, many passengers still prefer to pay as not every one can stand the chilled breeze when train is climbing up or riding down through the mountain ranges.
I am in the enclosed coach as outside weather is near freezing. It was surprising to learn from this advertisement posted in front of the coach, that commencing from 2013, Taiwan's Mt. Alisan rail company is paired with Kurobe Gorge Railway as sisters relation for information.
From Toyama City to Terada - Kamiichi - Uozu - Unazuki Station - Kuronagi - Kanetsuri - ended up in final destination of Keyakidaira takes almost half a day. The 20 km long mountainous route of the train from Unazuki to last station needs almost 90 minutes. To fully admire this stunning nature beauty, you need to spare a day.
Kurobe Gorge Railway train services operate only approximately 6-7 months each year, from mid April to end November.
Unazuki Station nested in beautiful mountain ranges with an altitude of 224 meters.
An old train sampling model at Unazuki Station
Unazuki station was shaded in bright orange and red foliage colors in falls.
Beside rail network, Kurobe Gorge is also accessible by a diverse range of road.
Kurobe Lake
Completed in year 2001, Unazuki Dam is the latest dam built in Kurobe Kyoukoku area. It was designed to serve multi aims including generation of electric power and flood control purposes.
Unazuki Dam in dusk
Mountain tops are crowned with glaring gold in sun set.
The ancient European castle liked structure located on the shores of Lake Unazuki is an hydroelectric power plant named as Shin Yanagawara.
The beautiful scenery around Lake Unazuki.
The suspended bridge hanging over the surface of Lake Unazaki is dedicated solely for usage of wild monkeys, allowing them to traverse from one shore to another.
As there is no operation of the train service in winter, a diverted walk way was built inside the tunnel at Dashidaira, to convenient the inhabitants in the cold season.
Such a luscious sight!
Trains stop at a few stations along the way where visitors can get off to have their exploration. The most inconvenience is that once you get down half way, the ticket became void and you have to get a new ticket again if you want to continue to the last station.
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