Quick answer: The Kurobe Gorge Railway resumed full-line service between Unazuki and Keyakidaira on October 1, 2026. For autumn travelers, that restores the classic ride deeper into the gorge just before the usual foliage peak. But Keyakidaira is not fully back to normal: earthquake-recovery work still restricts access around the station, and the railway currently recommends planning roughly one hour at Keyakidaira rather than building a long hiking day around it.
This guide uses the railway’s live English information and reservation pages checked on October 2, 2026. Because schedules, walking access and reservation procedures can change, recheck the official railway site before travel.
What changed on October 1, 2026?
Until September 30, the Kurobe Gorge Railway was operating a shorter shuttle service from Unazuki to Nekomata. From October 1 through the end of the current operating season, the railway says full-line service has resumed from Unazuki to Keyakidaira. Passengers can no longer board or get off at Nekomata.
That matters because Keyakidaira is the traditional far end of the sightseeing railway and gives travelers the deepest rail access into the gorge. It also brings the full route back just as autumn colors become the main reason to visit.
Kurobe Gorge Railway official English site
Autumn 2026: when are the leaves usually best?
The railway says the approximate best period for autumn colors is October 20 to November 10. Treat that as a seasonal estimate rather than a guarantee: mountain color changes depend on elevation and weather, and the best week can move from year to year.
If your trip falls inside that late-October to early-November window, reserve earlier than you would for an ordinary weekday. The railway specifically recommends reservations during the autumn foliage period because of higher passenger volume.
How do Keyakidaira reservations work right now?
The live English site now has a dedicated Keyakidaira reservation request form. You enter your travel date, number of adults and children, preferred outbound and return trains, and car type.
The important detail is that submitting the form is not the same as receiving a confirmed booking. The railway says the reservation is confirmed only after it sends a confirmation email. Requests are processed in order, and if no reply arrives within five days, the site instructs travelers to submit the request again.
- Payment: due at the Unazuki Station ticket counter on the day of travel for reservations submitted through the dedicated Keyakidaira request form.
- Same-day tickets: the railway says ticket sales at Unazuki Station begin at 7:40 a.m., but autumn can involve waiting and full trains.
- Advance planning: reservations are accepted from three months before travel, subject to the current booking procedure.
Practical advice: if Keyakidaira is central to your itinerary, do not wait until arrival in Toyama to think about the train. Submit the request early, wait for the confirmation email, and save that confirmation offline.
Current Keyakidaira reservation request form
How much does the Kurobe Gorge Railway cost?
For October 1 to November 30, the official fare page lists these one-way regular-car fares:
| Route from Unazuki | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Kuronagi | ¥830 | ¥420 |
| Kanetsuri | ¥1,780 | ¥890 |
| Keyakidaira | ¥2,480 | ¥1,240 |
A round trip to Keyakidaira therefore costs twice the one-way fare before any car-class upgrade. Check the current fare page before booking, especially if you want a different carriage type.
What can you actually do at Keyakidaira in autumn 2026?
This is the biggest caveat for 2026. The railway says access around Keyakidaira Station remains restricted because earthquake-recovery work is continuing. Its current route guide says visitors can enjoy the views from the station rooftop and visit the Keyakidaira Visitor Center, while access to some surrounding areas remains limited.
The dedicated reservation page goes further and recommends a stay of about one hour at Keyakidaira under current conditions.
That means older guides describing a long walk to multiple bridges, hot springs and trails may no longer match what is accessible on your travel date. Do not build a tight itinerary around a specific Keyakidaira trail unless the railway’s current route guide confirms it is open.
Official route guide and current access restrictions
Is the railway worth doing if Keyakidaira access is limited?
Yes, if the train ride and gorge scenery are the main event. The trolley railway itself is the attraction: open-sided cars, steep valley walls, bridges and changing forest colors are the reason most visitors come.
Think twice if your main goal is a long hike from Keyakidaira. The current restrictions make 2026 a different trip from older itineraries that treated the terminal as the starting point for several hours of walking.
A useful way to decide:
| Your priority | 2026 verdict |
|---|---|
| Scenic railway + autumn colors | Strong fit |
| Easy day trip from the Hokuriku region | Good fit, with reservations |
| Long Keyakidaira hiking day | Check current restrictions first |
| Spontaneous foliage weekend | Riskier because autumn trains can be busy |
Where should you stay: Toyama, Kanazawa or Unazuki?
Stay in Toyama if the railway is your main day trip
Toyama is the most natural larger-city base for a Kurobe Gorge day because you are already on the eastern side of the Hokuriku region. It also works well if your next stop is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or another Toyama-area trip.
Stay in Kanazawa if Kurobe is one part of a wider Hokuriku itinerary
Kanazawa can work as a broader cultural base, but the Kurobe Gorge Railway is not a quick attraction in central Kanazawa. Protect a full travel block rather than pairing the gorge with a major Kanazawa sightseeing day. If you are still choosing where to base yourself, compare the trade-offs in our Nagano vs Matsumoto vs Kanazawa guide.
Stay in Unazuki Onsen for the lowest-friction morning
If the railway itself is the highlight, an overnight in Unazuki gives you the simplest start and removes a morning connection before your reserved train. It is especially attractive during peak foliage when you want an earlier departure and less schedule risk.
Kurobe Gorge Railway vs the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
They are two different trips despite sharing the Kurobe name.
- Kurobe Gorge Railway: a sightseeing trolley railway from Unazuki into the gorge toward Keyakidaira.
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: a multi-mode mountain traverse between the Toyama and Nagano sides using trains, cable cars, buses and other transport.
Do not assume you can casually combine both in a single sightseeing day. If the Alpine Route is also on your itinerary, give it its own planning block. Our Japan Alps base comparison explains why the Alpine Route behaves more like a full travel day than a side attraction.
Autumn 2026 planning checklist
- Check the current operating status on the railway’s homepage.
- Submit the dedicated Keyakidaira request if you want the full route.
- Wait for the confirmation email; the request alone is not a confirmed reservation.
- Recheck Keyakidaira access restrictions before departure.
- Plan around foliage demand in roughly late October to early November.
- Bring an extra layer. The railway warns that mountain weather can change quickly.
- Use the toilet before boarding. The railway says there are no toilets on the train.
Bottom line
The October 1 reopening makes the Kurobe Gorge Railway much more compelling for autumn 2026: visitors can once again ride the full line from Unazuki to Keyakidaira, with the usual foliage peak approaching later in October.
But this is not quite the pre-earthquake Keyakidaira experience yet. The smartest version of the trip is to make the rail journey and gorge scenery the centerpiece, treat Keyakidaira as a shorter stop while restrictions remain, and reserve ahead rather than assuming autumn seats will be available on arrival.
FAQ
Is Kurobe Gorge Railway open to Keyakidaira in October 2026?
Yes. The operator says full-line service between Unazuki and Keyakidaira resumed on October 1, 2026.
Can I book Keyakidaira online?
The live English site currently provides a dedicated Keyakidaira reservation request form. The booking is confirmed only after the railway sends a confirmation email.
How long should I stay at Keyakidaira?
The railway’s current reservation page recommends about one hour because access around the station remains limited during recovery work. Recheck immediately before travel.
When is autumn foliage best on the Kurobe Gorge Railway?
The operator gives approximately October 20 to November 10 as the usual best period, but exact color timing varies with weather and elevation.
Do I need a reservation?
Same-day tickets are sold at Unazuki, but the railway recommends reservations during busy periods including autumn colors. If Keyakidaira is a must-do, advance booking is the safer plan.