The Hokuriku Shinkansen that easily accesses Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station will open on March 14. Here are the directions to tourism spots from the Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station. When this station opens in March, for people aboard the Hokuriku Shinkansen coming from Tokyo, here will be the first stop in Toyama Prefecture. Those who wish to tour the Unazuki area it is very convenient to get off at the Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station. Shin-Kurobe Station of Toyama Chihou Railway, Tourist Information Gallery and the bus terminal are adjacent. On the first floor of Tourist Information Gallery is the tourist office and souvenir shop, on the second floor of the building there is a new exhibition corner for Kurobe region's nature. There are large, solid, maps 7 meter square in area called Dynamap, moving a tablet over a dedicated bar code on the map using the application "Spot Viewer", will bring up useful maps, directions, info, etc. for the corresponding locations displayed on the tablet. Also, there are parks located on both sides of the new station.

Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Toyama Prefecture, it is the closest station to Kurobe Gorge. When riding the train to the Shin-Kurobe Station, the Toyama Chihou railway will take you to Unazukionsen Station in the actual town of Unazuki. Take a little walk to see the Kurobe Gorge from the Unazuki Station. There is a very large, spacious, and beautiful view.

The hot springs statue near the station is decorated, it has benches in the shape of a train, and the fountain is flowing with hot water. Kurobe Gorge Railway is closed for snow in the winter months, then resumes the operation around the end of April, this time you can go only half way until middle of May when you can go all the way to Keyakidaira Station, the end point.

In Kurobe Gorge, you will ride the "Trocco" truck train of Kurobe Gorge Railway, a smaller more rugged train. There are a lot of attractions to see just to riding in this truck train. The train stops are made by announcement while you are on the truck train, but it is in Japanese. Please count your stops while riding, so you know when to exit to be close to attractions. Though, there are signboards written with English for each stop. Kurobe Gorge Railway has nine stations. There are four stops for key tourism spots, including the station of departure.

Kurobe Gorge is alive and green in the summer time, you can enjoy the gorgeous colors in the fall as well. The view from Okukane Bridge and Kawara Observatory commands a fantastic view. In Sarutobi-kyo, you can see the fantastic scenery in the flowing river and all of the spectacular rocks and formations. In addition, there are many hot springs. There are hot springs and hot spring hotels in each region of Kurobe Gorge, please try to go see it!
Kurobe Gorge, is not the only point of interest, there are a variety of attractions near the Unazuki Station. Near the Station are many hot spring traditional hotels, Kurobegawa Denki Kinenkan, and hiking trails too. Some hiking courses include Yamabiko promenade and Tochinomori promenade, also further is Unazuki Dam. Yamabiko promenade was an old route for the truck train turned into a hiking trail, some remnants still remain. Since it is close to Unazuki Dam it is hard to miss the dam, you might stop on it incidentally. Other things you can do include a free footbath, or enjoy one of the many restaurants near the station. Kurobe Meisui Pork rather famous.

Get off at the Oritate Station, about five minutes and at the station there is a "Michi-no-Eki". This is a plaza where Unazuki Beer Factory is located, you can drink local beer in the restaurant and enjoy fresh out of the factory beer. You can also eat snacks made with beer besides the factory in front of the restaurant. "Unazuki Beer Curry Bread" is highly recommended. It is also possible to see the inner workings of the beer factory through an observation window. If interested please have a look at the previous travel reports posted,