Kurobe Gorge hiking & climbing route

Route Guide

The starting point is Kurobe Dam Station of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. From Ogizawa Station, take the trolleybus to Kurobe Dam station. When you leave the station, go through the tunnel, and come out on the Takitani side. It is a sudden, steep slope, so be careful as you walk. From the lower portion of the dam, you’ll walk along the former Nichiden Trail. This trail was originally a road built to investigate hydroelectricity prior to WWII. When you cross the bridge and arrive on the opposite bank, you will walk along the Kurobe River bank. If you continue walking along this trail, you will arrive at the Kuranosuke-dani-deai.

After taking a short break here, we’ll continue on. This is the core portion of the hike. This is called Suihei Trail, which means “horizontal,” but you should put your helmet on before going any further. You’ll see a narrow path carved out of the wall of the V-shaped gorge. A C-shaped mountain trail is carved out of the precipitous cliff wall. The path is a series of wire ropes, log scaffolding, and wooden ladders. Rocks often fall, so you have to be careful of your head. You will continue on this challenging route until Hakuryu Gorge. The trail is one intense moment after another, so walk with great care. Once you pass the great cliff, you will arrive at Bessan-dani-deai. From here, if you continue on for another 20 minutes while employing your entire body to maintain a sense of impending danger, you will arrive at Hakuryu Gorge.

Once you pass Hakuryu Gorge, the intensity eases a little, but you cannot let your guard down. Taking care not to fall as you proceed, head to Juji Gorge. There is a descending path at Juji Gorge but be careful as it is easy to slip on. Cross the suspension bridge, and you will reach the S-shaped gorge. Make sure to keep your wits about you as you continue through the rocky trail called Shimono-roka or “Lower Corridor.” When you see the Kurobe No.4 Hydropower Plant, you’ll know the Higashitani-tsuri Bridge is coming up soon. After crossing the bridge, you’ll use your headlamp to pass through an unlit tunnel. Once you leave the tunnel, walk along the vehicle road for 15 minutes, and you will arrive at Sennin Dam. Cross the dam and follow the signs through the tunnel, and on the opposite side you will find yourself at Hitomi-daira.

From Hitomi-daira, it is a steep climb through the forested area. Asohara Onsen-koya Mountain Hut stands just after the mountain pass, and this is where you will spend the night.

The next day, you will hike until Keyakidaira Station. The total walking time is 5 hours and 15 minutes. Cross the river at Asohara-dani and clear the steep slope, and you’ll find yourself at a trail junction. From here, the trail is relatively easy to walk. Once you pass Orio-no-otaki Falls, you’ll walk through a short tunnel. Keep going and you will arrive at Odaiko Lookout. This spot offers a bird’s eye view of Keyakidaira Station. Continue on the valley side and you will go through a dark tunnel at Shiaidani. Make sure to wear your headlamp. There will be water under your feet, so think about some kind of waterproofing measures. The tunnel is 150 meters long. Once you arrive on the other side, you will climb a slope. When the angle of the slope levels, you will enter a tunnel carved through boulders. Pass through the tunnel, descend Shijimi-zaka slope, and you will arrive at Keyakidaira Station.