We researched the logistics of getting from Kanazawa to the Kurobe Gorge as a day trip. Although timings and transitions from trains was very tight we were up for the challenge. Weather glrious. So took the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Kanazawa to Kurobe Unazuki Onsen. A brisk walk across to the Shin Kurobe station then on to a local train heading to Unazuki Onsen. It was an old classic locomotive that swayed, rattled and chugged along. On arrival we literally sprinted and hurdled over gates to get on to Kurobe Gorge train. Like a toy train with open carriages. So funny going from Shinkansen at 300km per hr graduating to toy train.
The railway makes its way up the gorge through spectacular scenery. It is a outstounding engineering feat of bridges, cantilevered track and tunnels in very trying terrain
All the fence railings throughout central Japan are coated in plastic pseudo cedar to look natural. Really take asthetics to the extreme. Form matters.
Almost an illusion this bridge
Train is only going 1/2 hour into the gorge at this time as just out of winter then return. Is fully closed Oct to early April. We went as far a Sasadaira. Summer trip a further 50 minutes on then return.
Plenty of staff
Obligatory selfie with guard in the background
The staff all wave madly when the train arrives and again on departure.
We were amazed to be the only non Asians. There were 150 on this train and 300 or so on other toy trains. Not sure why no other Europeans as where this train starts there is a large Onsen resort hence all the Japanese, who love hot springs.
Even have a whistle girl. Uniforms are always immaculate.
All the new spring growth really had the wow factor. Must really be something in the Autumn.
This is a power station, someone had the sense of the bizarre.
The staff wipe down all the sitting between each trip. Japanese always cleaning.
This is the Onsen resort and as below even has a hot spring fountain. Yes coats do indicate a balmy 10C day in the mountains
The trap for young players we have got wise to is there is often stations with a similar name; Shin Kurobe and Kurobe Unazuki
This is the closed in version of the Kurobe gorge train
Retraced our steps at a more gentile pace so had time for our packed lunch beside a ???
Not sure what the red getups were for but made for interesting lunch company
Some classic old stations in these very rural areas. If there is a toilet in there you can bet it will be very clean.
Back at Kurobe Unazuki Osen station we were the only folks getting the Shinkansen back to Kanazawa. A guard mid train. This is early afternoon. All at work or school. This is why when you wander about villages, city's it is so quiet away from the main street.
This is underwater cultivation Japan style.
Rice will be planted shortly
So after all the excitement of the day a good dinner was in order. Tasks are allocated: Jeff daily sight seeing, taking photos. Sandra accommodation, food finding and blog. Together we nut out the logistics of travel. We feel we are getting pretty slick at the train, bus, walk activity!
And so I really excelled myself tonight with this sushi bar. Food was sublime.
Just so fresh and a real expert.
2x shrimp, congor eel, beak fish, salmon roe, tuna, scallop, 3? and
ginger of course.
Jeff a happy bunny and although Mum and Dad team only spoke Japanese we learnt heaps and had some laughs with them. It was like we were in their lounge with the TV on some news programme.
You would walk right past unless you had Google Maps.
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