Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station
Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station is a small station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line running from Kanazawa to Tokyo. It is the nearest major train station to Unazuki Onsen and Kurobe Gorge, and as such, caters to visitors passing through enroute to those destinations. On this page you will find the following information:
— Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kurobe-Unazukionsen
— Transferring to the Toyama Chiho Railway
— Take a Group Tour at the Kurobe Gorge
— Rail Passes Covering Travel to Central Japan
— Purchasing & Activating a JR Pass
— Accommodation Nearby Kurobe-Gorge
— 25 Things to Do Around Toyama & Where to Stay
— Private Charters To & From Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station
As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa, reaching Kurobe-Unazukionsen is easy. Once at the station, it’s just as easy to transfer to local services running to nearby Kurobe Gorge while also heading other regional destinations.
The information included on this page is intended for visitors heading to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station enroute to Kurobe Gorge and other nearby attractions. It is not intended to provide complete information about the station or its many facilities, but instead, provide some helpful information for travellers enroute to the most popular destinations in the area.
HOKURIKU SHINKANSEN TO KUROBE-UNAZUKIONSEN
Running from Tokyo Station to Tsuruga Station, the Hokuriku Shinkansen stops at the following stations:
Tokyo / Ueno / Omiya / Kumagaya / Honjo-Waseda / Takasaki / Annaka-Haruna / Karuizawa / Sakudaira / Ueda / Nagano / Iiyama / Joetsu-Myoko / Itoigawa / Kurobe-Unazukionsen / Toyama / Shin-Takaoka / Kanazawa / Komatsu / Kaga Onsen / Awara Onsen / Fukui / Echizen Takefu / Tsuruga
While four services operate on this line – the Kagayaki, Hakutaka, Asama and Tsurugi – only Hakutaka services stop at Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station. To reach the station, expect the following travel times and costs (non-reserved/reserved):
— from Kanazawa: 35 minutes
— from Nagano: 50 minutes
— from Tokyo: 140 to 160 minutes
For further information including daily schedules, please refer to our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable’ page.
TRANSFERRING TO THE TOYAMA CHIHO RAILWAY
Many if not most international visitors disembarking at Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station will do so as they head to Unazuki Onsen and Kurobe Gorge. To do so, visitors need to transfer to the Toyama Chiho Railway bound for Unazuki Onsen Station.
The Toyama Chiho Railway operates from Shin-Kurobe Station, a small station connected to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station by a walkway. Services on the line run to Unazuki Onsen Station – 25 to 30 minutes – or the opposite direction to Dentetsu-Toyama Station in Toyama (passengers headed to Toyama are best to do so using the Hokuriku Shinkansen).
TAKE A GROUP TOUR AT THE KUROBE GORGE
Central Japan offers many, many reasons to visit, and we are here to help you find them! With group tours operating throughout the year in several regions of Japan, Snow Monkey Resorts stands as the premier tour operator in the region.
1 Day Tour
| 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Kurobe Gorge and Unazuki Onsen | |
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| Period | May to November |
| Time | 08:00 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station Kurobe-Unazuki Onsen Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 / 24,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥24,000 / 21,000 |
Long known by Japanese for its immense beauty, Kurobe Gorge is quickly emerging as a popular destination for international visitors. Regarded as one of the three most beautiful gorges in Japan, Kurobe is best experienced riding the railway which covers a meandering and winding 20km span in approximately 80 minutes. The open-air carriages allow visitors an intimate experience of the surrounding landscape with stations along the route allowing access to walk trails, onsen, restaurants and accommodation.
On this tour you can experience the great natural beauty of Japan and the small town feel of a popular onsen resort. Your local guide will show you foot baths and healing buddhas, ride on the trolley train across spectacular gorges and, finally, stroll through nature with unusual onsen water rivers. City and scenery, bridges and buddhas, trolley trains and quaint walks; fully enjoy a lesser traveled part of Japan in Unazuki Onsen and the Kurobe Gorge!
RAIL PASSES COVERING TRAVEL TO CENTRAL JAPAN
There is no escaping the fact that travel using the shinkansen and other rapid services is expensive. Given the speed and distances covered by these trains, travelers should think of them much like taking a flight, with tickets accordingly priced. International visitors to Japan have the option of purchasing one of several passes which allow for unlimited use of the Hokuriku along with other services – please note, that the passes below do not cover the Kurobe Gorge Railway:
JAPAN RAIL (JR) PASS
Covering all 9 shinkansen lines in Japan and many other train services, the JR Pass is a great option for visitors planning to use the shinkansen more than a handful of times and/or travel large distances. Travelers have the option of 7, 14 and 21-day passes covering either Ordinary or Ordinary and Green Cars. The JR Pass allows for use of any service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line at no additional cost but noting that should holders wish to have a reserved seat, they are still required to book a seat at the ticket office (at no additional cost).
JAPAN RAIL (JR) EAST PASS / NAGANO
Notably cheaper than the JR Pass, this is a great option for visitors staying within Nagano and Niigata. Much like the JR Pass, it allows for use of any service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line at no additional cost but noting that should holders wish to have a reserved seat, they are still required to book a seat at the ticket office (at no additional cost). This pass covers the Hokuriku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines serving Nagano and Niigata, along with other regional services. There is only one option of pass, covering 5 days of use within a 14-day period from its date of activation. Please note, this pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen but does not cover other services listed above.
HOKURIKU ARCH PASS
Valid for 7 consecutive days from date of activation, the Hokuriku Arch Pass covers train services from Tokyo – including trains from both Narita and Haneda Airports – to Nagano and Kanazawa and then onto Kyoto, Osaka and Kansai Airport. For many international visitors, this pass covers the majority of their intended destinations as the they follow the most popular tourist route from Tokyo to Kanazawa and onto Kyoto and Osaka. Notably cheaper than the full JR Pass, the Hokuriku Arch Pass offers fantastic convenience and savings. Please note, this pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen but does not cover other services listed above.
PURCHASING & ACTIVATING A JR PASS
Passes can be purchased via the official website or via a JR-affiliated sales office. Once you completed payment, you will receive an exchange order. This is a proof of payment and looks almost like a flight ticket with your personal details, type of Pass, and validity (three months from the date of issue). It is important to note that the exchange order is not your actual pass and will need to be exchanged for your pass once in Japan. Whatever you do, do not lose the exchange order and prioritise exchanging it for your pass when you arrive.
The Japan Rail passes listed above are valid for travel to and from this station. Before using a pass, it must first be exchanged/activated. It is important to note that JR passes cannot be exchanged/activated at Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station. Exchanging/activating the pass can however be done at numerous offices located at airports – including Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport and Kansai International Airport – and major train stations throughout Japan. If you have the time, we recommend activating your pass while at the airport. Otherwise, passes can also be activated at these stations on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line: Tokyo Station / Nagano Station / Kanazawa Station.
To exchange/activate your pass you will need your exchange order and passport. Make sure you allow adequate time to exchange and activate your pass if you are intending to use it on the same day or do so a day or two before you plan to start using it (you can always nominate a later activation date). Once you have your activated pass you are free to ride however you can’t insert your pass into the ticket gates. Simply walk through the side booth (permanently attended by station staff) and show your pass. You will be waved through and you can make your way to the platform.
ACCOMMODATION NEARBY KUROBE GORGE
If you’re headed to Kurobe-Unazkuionsen Station then chances are that you’re on your way to Kurobe Gorge. Situated at the entrance of the gorge, Unazuki Onsen is the largest hot spring town in the region and the spot from which the Kurobe Gorge Railway operates. Home to many guesthouses including traditional ‘ryokan’ and large hotels, the hot springs of Unazuki Onsen are known for the clarity of their water, known to aid healthy and vibrant skin. For accommodation listings, see our ‘Unazuki Onsen / Kurobe Gorge Area’ hotel page.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND TOYAMA & WHERE TO STAY
Located nearby Toyama Bay, the city and region are known throughout Japan for its fantastic seafood – best enjoyed at a coastal market or at one of the city’s many restaurants. The city itself is modern and energetic and an ideal launching point from where to access the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, Takayama and the North Alps. For tips and suggestions of what’s on offer, see our ’25 Things To Do Around Toyama & Where To Stay’ page.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO JAPAN
Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station is just one part of Japan’s fantastic rail network. Unfathomable in its size and efficiency, moving around the country by train is easy and comfortable opening-up all regions of Japan for exploration. Our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page has everything you need to know about visiting Japan – from tips on the best time to travel, times to avoid, entering and exiting the country, money matters, staying connected, accommodation, staying safe and healthy and plenty more to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.
PRIVATE CHARTERS TO & FROM KUROBE-UNAZUKIONSEN STATION
Based in Nagano, we are the region’s No.1 tour and charter operator. Operating all year round, we can provide charters to any destination in Central Japan, with customized itineraries to suit your travel needs and interests including pick-up or drop-off at Toyama Station. We have the expertise and experience to help you get the most out of your time in the region, including transport to and from any regional destination. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations, in combination with any activity that suits your interests and schedule.
Got a question about visiting Central Japan from Toyama? Head to our ‘Charters’ main page or click on the INQUIRY button below, let us know what you need, and we’ll get back to you with a quote.
