To reach Unazuki Onsen, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station. From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk to Shin-Kurobe Station, where you can purchase a Round-trip Discount Ticket (1,400 yen; valid for 2 days) for the Toyama Chiho Railway Main Line. Ride to the final stop, Unazukionsen.

See details at the Toyama Chihou Railway's website.

The local train ride takes about 30 minutes and offers beautiful scenery on both sides, with the majestic Japan Alps rising in the distance. Try to sit on the left side for the best views of the Kurobe River as the train winds through the mountains.

If you’re traveling with family or friends, you can flip the seats around so everyone can face each other and enjoy the ride together.

After arriving at Unazukionsen Station, exit and walk about 5 minutes along the tracks to reach Unazuki Station.

The best way to experience the area is aboard the Kurobe Gorge Railway, which runs between Unazuki and Nekomata (Adults: 2,820 yen / Children: 1,420 yen). During peak seasons (Golden Week and late October to mid-November for autumn foliage) advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Tickets can be purchased online via the Kurobe Gorge Railway’s website. Passengers with reserved or group tickets should check in at Window No. 1 or 2 for assistance and complete boarding formalities at least 10 minutes before departure.

If you have at least 45 minutes to spare, consider heading east, down the stairs, over to the Yamabiko Observatory, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the gorge itself. Here you can watch trains come and go over the bridge, making for a great video.

If you continue across the footbridge to the right, you’ll reach a tunnel that leads to an overlook with views of the Unazuki Dam. The walk takes about 7–10 minutes and offers unique perspectives of the bridge’s structure along the way.

In autumn, the Kurobe Gorge Railway offers a front-row seat to one of Japan’s most stunning seasonal landscapes. As the train winds through the valley, the mountains come alive with brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.

Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way: monkeys and birds are often spotted among the colorful trees, adding a touch of liveliness to the scenery. And, if you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a Japanese serow, a kind of goat-antelope found in these dense woodlands.

There are also several stations where passengers can disembark to enjoy short hikes and panoramic viewpoints. However, please note that the service currently operates only as far as Nekomata Station. Operations to Kanetsuri Station and Keyakidaira Station remain suspended due to the effects of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. See the Kurobe Gorge Railway website for a route guide and trail information.

Until November 30, 2025, the Kurobe Gorge Railway operates between Unazuki Station and Nekomata Station, with a 20-minute stop at Nekomata.

Passengers can step out to enjoy the observation deck and photo spot set up at the station before the return trip. (There are also toilets installed here for those needing a bathroom break.)

The surrounding mountains are breathtaking, especially in autumn when sunlight filters through the gorge. Trains departing from Unazuki at 12:28 PM, 1:11 PM, or 1:51 PM are particularly recommended, as the afternoon light beautifully illuminates the scenery along the route.

There are several excellent hotels and ryokan in the Unazuki Onsen area, many offering scenic river views and relaxing hot springs. However, accommodations fill up quickly during peak foliage season, so it’s best to book early to secure your stay.