The return of trains to Keyakidaira on October 1, 2026, restored the full railway journey through Kurobe Gorge. From Unazuki, the line follows a narrow river valley through tunnels and over bridges; the one-way ride takes around one hour and twenty minutes and is the main spectacle. But reopening the railway does not mean reconstruction is complete or that visitors can explore the area as they could before the earthquake.
The railway’s current guidance limits visits to the permitted area around Keyakidaira Station and the visitor centre, recommending a stay of about one hour. Mountain trails, accommodation and other sites remain closed or restricted while repairs continue. Nekomata is not a regular boarding or alighting stop either. Understand the difference between an operating railway and a still-limited walking area before booking: the train reaches the terminus, but long hikes are not part of the available itinerary.
The visitor centre adds context through maps, photographs and information about the valley’s terrain, vegetation and trails. It is particularly useful because some routes shown on maps are not open; current signs and notices take precedence over older travel accounts. Railway cars include open-air and windowed options depending on the service, and the scenery changes with the seasons. Autumn colours bring more visitors, so reserve ahead and check for changes caused by rain or wind.
Build the day around the return journey, the short permitted stop and ground transport to Unazuki. Check the official timetable, operating status and open area on the day; do not assume that hot springs, bridges or paths are accessible just because they appear on a map. Visitors seeking a scenic railway ride and approved viewpoints will find a rewarding outing. For longer mountain hikes, the responsible choice is to wait for an official reopening notice for each route.
Profiles of the recommended places: Kurobe Gorge Railway, Unazuki Station ・ Keyakidaira Visitor Center
The train reaches Keyakidaira again, but walking access remains limited to the station area and visitor centre. Check notices, schedules and reservations on your travel date.
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Kurobe Gorge Railway, Unazuki Station
11 Kurobekyokokuguchi, Kurobe, Toyama 938-0283, Japan
From Unazuki, the narrow-gauge train leaves the settled valley and enters Kurobe Gorge, where tunnels, bridges and wooded walls make the ride itself the main attraction. In 2026, full-line service to Keyakidaira resumed on October 1 after seasons of shortened operations following damage from the Not
A scenic ride through Kurobe Gorge; in autumn 2026, full-line service to Keyakidaira resumes with restricted access at the terminus.
Keyakidaira Visitor Center turns the wait for a train into an opportunity to understand the landscape. Its panels, photographs and maps introduce the gorge’s plants, wildlife, scenery and routes, in a mountainous area where railway infrastructure meets difficult terrain. Public comments often find i
Exhibits on Kurobe Gorge nature and landscapes, within the currently permitted visitor area at Keyakidaira.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Kurobe Gorge Railway, Unazuki Station ↗
Primary source
Kurobe Gorge Railway · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kurobe Gorge Railway, Unazuki Station ↗
Primary source
Kurobe Gorge Railway · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Kurobe Gorge Railway, Unazuki Station ↗
Primary source
Kurobe City · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Keyakidaira Visitor Center ↗
Primary source
Kurobe Gorge Railway · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Keyakidaira Visitor Center ↗
Primary source
Keyakidaira Visitor Center · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Kurobe Gorge Railway · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Kurobe Gorge Railway · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Kurobe City · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Kurobe Gorge Railway · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Google rating and reviews for the exact Unazuki railway listing ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Google 4.4/5 and 2,729 reviews shown for the Unazuki terminal listing on 2026-10-12.
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Google rating and review count for exact visitor centre ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Google 3.9/5 from 23 reviews displayed for the Keyakidaira visitor centre on 2026-10-12; older visitor comments and limited sample.