Kurobe Gorge

Lake Kurobe is the divider between the downstream portion called “Shimonoroka” meaning “lower corridor,” and the upstream portion called “Kaminoroka,” which means “upper corridor.” There is also an “Okunoroka” meaning “interior corridor,” which stretches from the Yakushizawa mountain hut to the river source. Before the completion of Kurobe Dam, there was also a “Nakanoroka” or central corridor, but it was submerged when the dam was completed. At present, Shimonoka is open to regular hikers, but slip-and-fall accidents frequently occur here too. If you slip and fall, it is highly likely to be fatal, so please make sure the weather, your physical health, and your equipment are all in the best possible condition before attempting the hike. Kaminoroka involves a lot of difficult river trekking and should only be attempted by the most advanced climbers. Okunoroka is also a course for advanced climbers that starts at Yakushizawa hut, heads to the river source, and stretches all the way to Mitsumata Sanso mountain hut.