Kurobe Gorge Trolley 2027: Toyama Scenic Railway

20.1 km of narrow-gauge track, 1h 20m one way through 41 tunnels, 22 bridges — and open-sided trolley cars where you feel the gorge wind on your face.

Quick facts: Kurobe Gorge 2027

Why Kurobe Gorge

The Kurobe Gorge Railway began life in 1926 as a work line for building Japan's biggest hydro dam. It still clings to the sides of a 1,000-metre canyon, crossing turquoise glacier water on red steel bridges — but now you can ride it. Autumn in late October is the showpiece: maples blaze above the river and the trolley cars are open to the air. Spring (late April to May) adds snow walls above the gorge, and summer brings swimmable rock pools at some stations.

• ●Unazuki Onsen — hot-spring town, trolley start
• ●Kuronagi station — hidden hot-spring ryokan access
• ●Kanetsuri — rock-pool hot bath + heart-shaped bridge
• ●Keyakidaira — terminal station, visitor centre and viewpoint
• ●Okukane Bridge (currently off-limits) — former iconic photo stop
• ●Yamabiko Bridge — walk back near Unazuki

Getting there

• ●From Tokyo: Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen (~2h 15m), transfer to Toyama Chiho Railway, 25 min to Unazuki Onsen
• ●From Osaka: Thunderbird + Hokuriku to Toyama (~3h 30m total)
• ●Trolley departs Unazuki Station — walk from Unazuki Onsen Station ~5 min
• ●Phone bookings: 0765-62-1011 (seasonal, 09:00-16:30)
• ●Online booking is available for most seats but may be phone-only for Keyakidaira in some seasons — verify

What to do (one-day plan)

Bookable experiences

• ●Trolley round-trip Keyakidaira ticket (regular or Relaxing car)
• ●Unazuki Onsen ryokan with kaiseki dinner
• ●Combined Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route + Kurobe Gorge trip
• ●Winter Premium Tour (January-February only — rare off-season access)

FAQ

• ●When does it run? Roughly late April to end of November, weather and snow-permitting.
• ●Can I ride all the way to Keyakidaira in 2027? Full service resumed October 1, 2026 — expect normal 2027 operation, but confirm on operator site.
• ●Open car or windowed? Regular open-side car is fare only; windowed Relaxing car costs +¥530 and is best in cold or wet weather.
• ●How long does the full round trip take? About 3 hours just for the train, so allow a full day with stops.
• ●Can I hop off at every station? Only certain stations have passenger access; others are workers-only.
• ●Can I onsen between trolleys? Yes — Kanetsuri has a free riverside rotenburo (mixed, bring swimsuit) and Kuronagi hides a deep ryokan.
• ●Reserved seats? Keyakidaira destination seats sometimes need telephone booking — check before you go.
• ●Combine with Tateyama Alpine Route? Yes, over two days — stay in Toyama city or Omachi.
• ●Mobile reception? Weak in the gorge; download the schedule in advance.
• ●Can I take kids? Yes — but the open car is windy and loud. Bring a jacket.