The New Route

Located deep within the hinterland of Kurobe Gorge: to protect the magnificent, breathtaking beauty of the area, the power generation equipment and related facilities were all built underground. A good example of power development being met with increased understanding of the natural environment appears before you.

Starting 2024!

From Keyakidaira, perhaps the finest V-shaped gorge in Japan, the New Route "KUROBE - UNAZUKI CANYON ROUTE" stretches some 18 kilometers upstream to the Kurobe Dam.

It was originally built by the Nippon Electric Power and Kansai Electric Power companies as a route serving the construction of the Kurobegawa No. 4 Power Station.

Under an agreement signed between Kansai Electric Power and Toyama Prefecture in 2018, the New Route will open to the public in 2024, after a number of safety measures are completed.

Access

The attractions

Unexplored landscape and a magnificent history, now to be revealed to the public

The Kurobe Gorge and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: the New Route "KUROBE - UNAZUKI CANYON ROUTE" connecting these beautiful destinations provides a unique opportunity to experience the history of power development in Japan, and the magnificent natural world of the Kurobe back mountains, an area that in many ways is still unexplored. It will be a trip full of surprises, as you ride into this world on unique methods of transportation that have been working since the early 20th century.

Highlights

History

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

This is one of the world’s finest mountain travel routes, running through the rugged Northern Alps at an altitude of 3,000 meters. It’s easy to enjoy this 37.2-kilometer route, over which you will ride six different vehicles on a trip between Toyama and Nagano prefectures. In spring, this is the location of the world-famous snow walls; in summer Mikurigaike pond beautifully reflects the Tateyama mountains on its blue surface; in autumn, thousands come to ride the Tateyama Ropeway and enjoy the blazing colors of the season.

To the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route website

Kurobe Gorge Railway

This narrow-gauge train travels about 20 kilometers between Unazuki and Keyakidaira stations, following along the clear Kurobe River on a trip of one hour 20 minutes each way. Along the line are many unique locations and sights, including the 40-meter-tall Atobiki Bridge, hot springs that erupt from the riverbanks, the Hitokui (man-eating) rock formation, Sarutobi Gorge and many other natural and manmade attractions.

To the Kurobe Gorge Railway website

Tateyama Mountains

For centuries, Mt. Tateyama has been seen as a mountain where the gods dwell, and has been an object of mountain worship as one of the three holy mountains of Japan, along with Mt. Fuji and Mt. Hakusan. At Ashikuraji today you can still find Oyama Shrine and Enma-Do, both related to the origins of worship of the mountain. On the way is Shomyo Waterfall, the highest in Japan at 350 meters, a designated national scenic spot and one of the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan.

Unazuki Onsen

Located at the entrance to Kurobe Gorge, this is the largest Onsen (hot spring) village in Toyama Prefecture. The source at Kuronagi Onsen, high up the Kurobe River, has been beloved since its opening in 1923 because of the quality of the water as an aid in gaining beautiful skin. This is also a great place to enjoy fresh seafood from Toyama Bay and saké and beer brewed here using the famous Kurobe water.

Video presentation

Watch on YouTube