Shot on our longest trip since starting our YouTube channel, the New Golden Route three part episode saw us travelling during seven days from Tokyo to Kyoto along the Sea of Japan coast in the hot summer month of July. Along the way we made a stop at the Kurobe Gorge, a beautiful forested ravine in the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps.

A visit to the Kurobe Gorge will have you board the Kurobe Gorge Railway, a sightseeing train built originally for the construction of the Kurobe Dam. The train ride through the various tunnels and the many scenic vistas was definitely a trip to remember, and a personal highlight of 2018.

The Kurobe Gorge Railway train
Off we go!
Views of the river along the way
The majestic Kurobe Gorge

After a 25 minute train ride from Unazuki Station, we made a stop at Kuronagi Station, where a half hour walk through pristine nature took us to our stop for the night: Kuronagi Onsen. This remote ryokan offers an outstanding bathing experience due to its location right next to the Kurobe River.

Walking through the forest to our stop for the night
The remote Kuronagi Onsen ryokan
Inside the ryokan
The outdoor bath is a real treat!
Local delicacies for dinner
Our room for the night, right next to the Kurobe River

The next day we hopped back on the Kurobe Gorge Railway and headed all the way to Keyakidaira, the terminal station. Breathtaking vistas of the area with the red Okukane Bridge were a sight I would personally never forget. After a bit of exploration and a rewarding foot bath next to the Kurobe River, we had to head back to the train and off to the next stop on our adventure.

Under the Okukane Bridge...
...and on the Okukane Bridge
A waterfall serving as a backdrop to the hot spring footbath
On our way back and the end of the adventure in Kurobe Gorge

For more information on our 7 day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto along the Sea of Japan Coast, you can watch each part here:

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