Major city · Japan
Kurobe黒部市
Kurobe is a one-night stop for the Kurobe Gorge railway and Unazuki Onsen: arrive by Shinkansen, ride the gorge train, soak in a hot spring, leave the next morning.
Kurobe is a small city in eastern Toyama prefecture, best known as the gateway to the Kurobe Gorge and the Unazuki Onsen hot-spring town. The gorge's narrow-gauge truck train runs partway up the valley, with hiking trails and more springs beyond. Most travellers spend one night in Unazuki Onsen, ride the train in the morning and leave by afternoon. The city itself has little else to detain you.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (heavy snow, some trails closed)
- Airports
- TOY · NGO
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kurobe110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kurobe, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyKurobe is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTOY Toyama Airport (About 50 min by bus and train; limited domestic flights.).
- Getting aroundThe Toyama Chihō Railway Main Line connects Kurobe Station and Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station (¥310 (≈ US$3)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥350–600 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealBowl of soba or ramen¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9)
- Beerdraught in a restaurant / can at a konbini¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM.¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
- Metro or bus rideLocal train ride (Kurobe Station ↔ Unazuki Onsen)¥310 (≈ US$3)
- Museum or sight ticketOnsen entry (public bath)¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥4,000 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · Mid ¥15,000 (≈ US$110) · High ¥28,000 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TOY Toyama Airport (About 50 min by bus and train; limited domestic flights.) · NGO Chubu Centrair (About 3 h by train via Nagoya; the main international gateway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest May (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kurobe: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
16 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
14 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
14 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Toyama Chihō Railway Main Line connects Kurobe Station and Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station (¥310). From Unazuki Onsen station, the Kurobe Gorge railway (truck train) runs into the gorge. A local bus serves the ski area in winter. Walking is fine in the onsen town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
Ainokaze Toyama Railway from Kurobe Station, about 30 min
Glass art museum, castle park and canal-side walks; a half-day trip.
Door to door: About 1 h
Ainokaze Toyama Railway from Kurobe Station, about 45 min
Copperware and old merchant houses; combine with Toyama.
Gokayama
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Train to Toyama, then bus to Gokayama, about 1.5 h total
Thatched farmhouses like Shirakawa-go but quieter; a full day.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Shinkansen from Kurobe-Unazukionsen to Nagano, then bus, about 2 h
Ski resort in winter, hiking in summer; too far for a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Unazuki Onsen
Hot-spring inns and ryokan near the gorge entrance; the main area for overnight stays.
Kurobe Station area
Budget hotels and guesthouses; convenient for the Ainokaze line but farther from the gorge.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥12,000–20,000 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ryokan (Japanese inn, half-board)2 × 1 night × ¥20,000 | ¥40,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥15,000 | ¥30,000 |
| Kurobe Gorge railway round trip (Unazuki to Keyakidaira)2 × ¥3,000 · check | ¥6,000 |
| Ainokaze Railway from Toyama to Kurobe, one way2 × ¥1,000 · check | ¥2,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥8,300 |
| Trip total≈ ¥45,650 per person per day, bed included | ¥91,300≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥350–600 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bowl of soba or ramen | ¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Beer: draught in a restaurant / can at a konbini | ¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM. | ¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17) |
| Local train ride (Kurobe Station ↔ Unazuki Onsen) | ¥310 (≈ US$3) |
| Kurobe Gorge railway round trip | ¥3,000 (≈ US$25) (check) |
| Onsen entry (public bath) | ¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Kurobe Gorge train runs only from mid-April to late November; check the official schedule.
- Heavy snow closes some hiking trails in winter; the gorge train does not run then.
- Last trains from Toyama to Kurobe are around 22:00; taxis are limited.Last trains from Toyama to Kurobe are around 10:00 PM; taxis are limited.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Kurobe黒部市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Nagoya; most other countries have consulates-general in Osaka, embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kurobe-Unazukionsen → Unazuki Onsen (local train): ¥310 (≈ US$3), about 5 min
- Kurobe Gorge railway round trip: about ¥3,000 (≈ US$25) (check)
- Toyama → Kurobe (Ainokaze Railway): about ¥1,000 (≈ US$7), about 30 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kurobe. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (heavy snow, some trails closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Kurobe Gorge railway (with seasonal schedule), Unazuki Onsen ryokan, and the snow park.
- Eat pages for onsen-town restaurants with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station.
Sources
Ask about Kurobe
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