Kurobe Gorge Railway (Torokko Open-Air Train)

The Kurobe Gorge Railway carries visitors on narrow-gauge open-air torokko train cars along a former hydroelectric construction line that clings to the walls of the Kurobe Gorge in eastern Toyama. Departing from Unazuki Station, the trains cross a series of trestle bridges, including the red-painted Shin-Yamabiko Bridge, and pass through short tunnels carved into the gorge's granite cliffs as the Kurobe River rushes far below. The standard route runs to Keyakidaira, the line's usual terminus, with a round trip taking about two hours including a layover to explore riverside walking paths, hot-spring foot baths, and a small suspension bridge at Keyakidaira itself. Open-air cars offer unobstructed views of the gorge and are the most requested seating, especially in autumn when the maple and beech canopy along the valley turns deep red and gold from late October into early November. Enclosed cars are available for cooler months and rainy days. The train travels slowly, rarely exceeding 20 km/h, which allows ample time for photographs of the bridges and gorge walls from the open-air cars. Weekend and holiday departures during peak foliage season sell out days in advance, and queues for standby open-air seats can be long even on weekdays in October. Spring departures reveal the gorge's dam-fed river running high with snowmelt, while summer offers cooler mountain air as an escape from Toyama's lowland heat. As of 2026 the full line to Keyakidaira remains under partial repair, with full service scheduled to resume October 1, 2026; visitors should check current operating status before planning a full round trip.