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Unazuki Onsen
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · JP

Unazuki Onsen

Getting around: This is actually in Toyama Prefecture, further from Kanazawa; from Kanazawa take a train toward Toyama then transfer to reach Unazuki Onsen Station, a trip of roughly 1.5-2 hours total.
Hours: An open hot spring town; individual ryokan baths and the Kurobe Gorge Railway have their own operating schedules, the railway typically running seasonally (spring through late autumn).

Unazuki Onsen is a hot spring town at the entrance to the dramatic Kurobe Gorge, known both for its ryokan (traditional inns) with mineral baths and as the starting point for the Kurobe Gorge Railway, a narrow-gauge sightseeing train that winds through steep forested cliffs and past dams. Autumn foliage along the gorge is a particular highlight, drawing crowds from across the region.

It works well as either a day trip focused on the gorge railway or an overnight stay to properly enjoy the onsen baths, though its distance from Kanazawa makes it a longer excursion than most other sights in the area.

Unazuki Onsen FAQs

What is the Kurobe Gorge Railway?

A narrow-gauge sightseeing train running from Unazuki Onsen through the dramatic Kurobe Gorge, popular for its cliffside scenery and especially for autumn foliage.

Is Unazuki Onsen actually near Kanazawa?

Not particularly close — it's in Toyama Prefecture and takes roughly 1.5-2 hours to reach by train, so it's a longer day trip or better as an overnight stay.

When does the gorge railway operate?

Generally spring through late autumn; it typically closes for winter due to snow.

Can day-trippers use the onsen baths?

Many ryokan offer day-use bathing for a fee even without an overnight stay.

Is one day enough?

A day trip can cover the gorge railway, but an overnight stay lets you properly enjoy the onsen experience.

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