Kurobe Gorge Railway is a narrow gage train which runs along the deepest V-shaped valley in Japan. The original purpose of the rail was to transport materials and equipment for the electric power development project of Kurobe River in the 1920's. The railway facilities were completed in 1923. The rail starts at Unazuki onsen and reaches Kurobe dam site. Only first 20.1km, so called "Lower Track" between Unazuki and Keyakidaira, is open to public for sight seeing. "Upper Track" of 6.5km is for Power Plant and Dam Site use only.
Starting from this terminal.
Extra narrow gage train!
I get on this small coach. If you are a big person, you might not fit into it.
The small train brings us beyond those mountains.
Unazuki Dam and Unazuki Lake.
First station comes by but only workers and employees of Kansai Electric use it. There are a dozen of such stations on the line.
It is a monkey bridge. Because there are groups of monkeys who go to and fro between both sides, the power company built it for them when they made dams and the width of the river was extended.
Arriving Kuronagi, a first passenger station. By walk you can reach one of the secret hot springs, Kuronagi Onsen, from the station. Today I try another one and continue a trip.
Pass Atobiki Bridge to cross Kuronagi River.
A view from Atobiki Bridge. Kuronagi Onsen is located at the end of the gorge.
The train is running this hight all the time. Not good for a person with acrophobia.
The world most thrilling railway.
This is the Kurobe River Second Power Plant, constructed in 1936.
The narrow gage train goes foward deep into the valley. Though it is September, greens are very fresh like those in spring.
The railway is single-tracked. Need to pass each other at some places.
Because of its shape, Temple Bell Mountain .
Arriving Tsurigane (temple bell) Station. You can go to one of the hot springs where you need to dig and make your own bath at the river side. I pass this wild hot spring and go beyond.
Finally arrived at Keyakidaira Station, the terminus for travelers.
My adventure continues to the extremely secluded hot spring in another Canyon, Babatani Onsen.
(To be continued to Babatani Onsen.)
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