Kurobe Gorge, Kurobe, Japan
The Kurobe Gorge is a beautiful, forested ravine in the rugged mountains of the Northern Japan Alps. Cut by the Kurobe River, it is one of the deepest gorges in Japan. Its steep, nearly vertical cliffs, untouched virgin forests, and outdoor hot springs have made it a famous destination to see natural scenic beauty. It is not to be confused with the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, which is nearby, but accessed from a completely different direction.
The main attraction of the gorge is the Kurobe Gorge Railway, a sightseeing train originally built to aid the construction of the Kurobe Dam. Today the small trains operate along a winding, 20 kilometer stretch between Unazuki and Keyakidaira Stations. The exciting 80 minute journey leads across more than 20 bridges and through over 40 tunnels, and offers visitors panoramic views of the gorge below. The trains stop at a few stations along the way where visitors can get off and explore.
Epic Japan Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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