[Unazuki Onsen Travel Guide] Enjoy Beautiful Kurobe Gorge Views from Open-Air Baths

At Unazuki Onsen, you can fully enjoy the grand and beautiful scenery of Kurobe Gorge both from the hot spring town and from open-air baths.
One of its charms is seeing nature change with the seasons and experiencing the unique atmosphere of each time of year.
In spring and summer, you can take in sweeping views of the lush green mountains from Unazuki Onsen.
The feeling of soaking in a hot spring while looking out at the refreshing scenery is exceptional.
With the river nearby as well, it is a perfect place to enjoy classic summer scenery.
In autumn, soaking in Unazuki Onsen while viewing the vivid fall leaves that color Kurobe Gorge up close is pure bliss in the crisp air.
If you want to soak in the hot springs while admiring scenery that is both magical and full of charm, winter is recommended.
The snow-covered mountains and townscape are among Japan’s most iconic views.

Taking a slow stroll through the charming hot spring town of Unazuki Onsen is also recommended.
There are several footbaths, so it is also nice to soak your feet while enjoying the natural scenery and townscape.
Because you can casually enjoy the waters of Unazuki Onsen, the footbaths are also very popular.
At the souvenir shops and variety stores in the hot spring town, you can buy specialties from Toyama Prefecture and Kurobe Gorge.
Unazuki Beer and sake are especially famous, making them great souvenirs for anyone who likes alcohol.
The hot spring town is also ideal for souvenir shopping, so be sure to take a stroll through it at least once during your visit.

At ryokan, hotels, and restaurants in the hot spring town, you can enjoy a wide range of Toyama gourmet food.
One especially recommended local delicacy is white shrimp, often called the jewel of Toyama Bay.
Its translucent pale pink color also makes it visually beautiful.
You can enjoy it at conveyor-belt sushi restaurants and izakaya, and its peak season is from April to around June.
It is delicious raw, of course, but also tasty when deep-fried or made into kakiage fritters.
White shrimp rice crackers are also famous as souvenirs, so be sure to pick some up.
In addition, firefly squid, which is in season from March to May, is also exquisite.
It is known for its addictive texture and pairs perfectly with local sake.
Be sure to fully enjoy the flavors of Toyama Prefecture.

This long-established inn has captivated many literary figures and artists since it first opened in 1937.
From tea flowers and wild plants placed with understated elegance to the atmosphere throughout the building, you can sense the inn’s long-held commitment to preserving natural beauty just as it is.
Its prized hot spring water, said to have some of the highest transparency in Japan, is available in two open-air baths as well as large public baths for both men and women.
You can enjoy baths with different styles, including an open-air bath made from 400-year-old cypress showcasing the craftsmanship of master temple carpenters, and a rock bath inspired by the flow of the Kurobe River.

The ryokan and hotels lining the Kurobe River are all blessed with spectacular views, but Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yamanoha is especially known for the scenery from its open-air baths.
The inn’s signature panoramic open-air bath is designed with tiered levels so that each level offers a different view.
While soaking in the skin-friendly water known as the “smooth skin-beautifying bath,” you can enjoy a sweeping panorama of the seasonal natural beauty of Kurobe Gorge and the red railway bridge of the Kurobe Gorge trolley train.

A hot spring inn standing in front of Unazuki Station on the Kurobe Gorge Railway (trolley train), the gateway to Kurobe Gorge.
Inside the inn, you can fully enjoy Unazuki Onsen, which boasts a spring water output of as much as 3,000 tons per day, throughout your stay.
In addition to large public baths and semi-open-air baths separated by gender, private baths are also available for families and couples.

A विशाल lake created by the completion of Unazuki Dam in 2001.
The emerald-green lake is crossed by a bright red bridge, creating a vivid reflection on the water’s surface.
Surrounded by the rich nature of Kurobe Gorge, its photogenic scenery has made it a popular hidden gem for spectacular views.

An observatory located just steps from Unazuki Station, the starting station of the Kurobe Gorge Railway trolley train.
Below, you can look out over the Shin-Yamabiko Bridge and enjoy a full view of the trolley train crossing the red railway bridge.
Many of the famous photos capturing the moment the trolley train emerges from the tunnel were taken from this spot, and they are often used on posters for Kurobe Gorge.

An art museum located in the Unazuki Onsen area. Based on the concept of “passing on the great nature of Kurobe Gorge to the future through painting art,” it exhibits works by seven painters representing the world of contemporary Japanese painting.
The subject of the works is Kurobe Gorge, and the paintings were specially created for this museum.
The museum is inside the Kurobe City Art Creation Center Selene, which also has a café serving delicious coffee and tea brewed with Kurobe’s famous spring water.