Japan's spectacular mountain railway | Kurobe Gorge Railway

[@Cars_Dogs_Cats]

When the world needed a journey from the window seat the most, he answered the call! Imma crack a pale ale and enjoy.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Glad I could answer the call. Enjoy! 🍻

[@HugoBrown]

Another great video Adam with all the additional information about the railway / gorge. SO lucky you got to go again to japan, Wish I was there

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much Hugo! I've only been to Japan once (in 2023) ... but there were so many incredidble railways there, I still have a big backlog to edit! A good problem to have, I guess. Definitely keen to go back!

[@HugoBrown]

@@FromtheWindowSeat I love how Japan has made trains / railway popular not only to locals but also to visitors. I would love to go to Doai Station and ride that train it looks so Sci-Fi / Aliens movie haha. Yeah Japan is one of those places you just want keep going back.

[@c5173]

looks a great trip - another to add to the bucket list

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

It definitely is. Cheers!

[@ilovepavlovanomnom]

We did this a year ago. It was pretty much the favourite part of our entire trip to Japan. Absolutely amazing! Cameras don't do it justice.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Yes, it's a definite highlight and I don't think it's that well known by people outside of Japan.

[@kathymccrory9931]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great to hear that - thank you!

[@TrainCycle]

Fantastic...thanks for producing the video.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

You're welcome. Cheers!

[@paulbramford]

another great video.. Can't Wait to see the Bullet Train adventure..

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks Paul! Yep, stay tuned. 🚅

[@Rheilffordd]

Just finished watching this, and if your Japan series is anything to go by, I need to just move there and spend the rest of my life riding Japanese tourist and private third sector railways and never come back! 🤣 I love the the little electric locomotives, almost a novel railway attraction in their own right!

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

IKR - I feel the same! 😍

[@karytyrrell1540]

what a beautyful landscape 🥰

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

It really is!

[@kapilachandrabharathi7134]

Hello Mr.W. S. Thanks for bringing beautiful memories back Nice to hear your voice again Cheers from Sri Lanka

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Very happy to know I have viewers in Sri Lanka 😊

[@kapilachandrabharathi7134]

@FromtheWindowSeat Been watching your videos for sometime Staring with Northern Explorer Cheers

[@larryingle9966]

Great video Adam, hope to do this trip one day! 😎

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much Larry - definitely recommend it!

[@stewartrivers4208]

Great to see you back. Your informative videos are always worth waiting for Adam.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much Stewart - great to hear!

[@Sid_handle]

Beautiful video!

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@aprilhilliard3302]

Always a great day when you post a new vid! So entertaining and lots of good data, plus wonderful filming and editing. Happy trails and Blessings!

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much April - appreciate that!

[@rebeccaw9656]

I didn’t know this existed, it’s absolutely picturesque! Once again, thanks for a great video😊

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks Rebecca! Yes, I think it's well known in Japan but not so much outside of the country (hence why the vast majority of passengers were Japanese).

[@yasukiwi]

@@FromtheWindowSeat And a lot of the overseas tourists that you do see on these smaller railways are Taiwanese or South East Asian (as could also be seen early in the video). When I went on a beautifully scenic very rural line in Feb last year (Tadami Line in Fukushima - not a tourist line like this) the majority of riders were from the countries/region I listed above. It's a pity but a lot of Westerners in particular seem to be so engrossed in the shinkansen side of things that they don't realise Japanese railways are far far more than just shinkansens (ok those are terrific too but) with great rural lines, wonderful scenic and inter-city express trains, a cool night train etc. I am lucky. I had 5 years living in Japan and multiple visits since to get past the shinkansens 😆

[@johng963]

What a wonderful informative video that many travelers do not know exists.. Thank you for the tour..

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much! I’m glad I could share it. ☺️

[@kymmoulds]

Thanks Adam for another great review of your travels. They are much appreciated so please keep them coming and a BIG thumbs👍 up. Cheers.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Cheers - I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@nzmu01]

Thanks! Another fabulously informative train excursion video that transports me along as if I was there!👏

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

That's brilliant to hear - thank you (including for the contribution!). 🙏

[@grahamwood9842]

Awesome thanks.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

You’re welcome!

[@notactuallymyrealname]

Particularly well shot and edited, thanks for another lovely trip!

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you!

[@michaelgl61]

Love your work Adam, always interesting and informative.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks Michael!

[@4AU01]

Another fantastically produced video Adam. Informative and visually enticing. Although you may have gotten a little wet, it looks like it would have been worth it for the views.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Yes it was definitely worth it. ☺️

[@doomybear7389]

I like your videos unlike a lot of vloggers who inundated with the same old yours are different with great content👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Very happy to hear that - thank you! ☺

[@shanellstrehlow7110]

Thank you Adam for yet another awesome travel video. They are immensely enjoyable and relaxing. Can't wait for more.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Very happy to hear that. Cheers!

[@jordancave6987]

Thoroughly enjoyable video Adam. Thank you.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Glad you enjoyed it. 🙏

[@mrowl-the-dsm1304]

Really Enjoyable Adam, I have also made lots of notes as a serious inspiration for my next trip, so watching this series with interest

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Very happy to hear that!

[@k4productions]

I always love seeing railroads from across the world

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Happy to help!

[@alexking8610]

Love your work , I am so envious of all the rail journeys you do 👍

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much Alex!

[@alexjohansson5232]

🎉Interesting and informative! Well done mate!🎉

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much Alex!

[@andrewhotston983]

Very interesting.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Glad you think so!

[@vrfan]

The railway is still used to transport material and workers for maintaining the dams and power stations up the Kurobe gorge. Its not just a tourist train ride. I travelled on it in November 2023 so was good to see your video of it.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Yes, that’s right. Great you could relive your trip through the video. Cheers!

[@leonwakefield7285]

Cracking episode as usual Adam very informative and entertaining looking forward to your next one.Cheers 😊😊

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks Leon … appreciate that!

[@Taitset]

Absolutely stunnig Adam! Really hope i can make it to this part of the world one day.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks so much Martin! I’ll warn you though … the railways in Japan are so efficient, eclectic and impressive, you’ll return with more footage than you know what to do with. 😂 (and you’ll want to return for more!)

[@Taitset]

@FromtheWindowSeat Haha yes I can imagine that being a problem!

[@vishal_electrodharwad7678]

Excellent coverage

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you!

[@SaraRaats]

Wow fantastic

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you!

[@Hongaars1969]

Hi Adam You’ve done it again, love all your videos. I was very doubtful when I looked at those open carriages and the surrounding weather and the statistics you provided re the average daily temperature. Looks like one needs a thick weather proof jacket, a decent hat, a rain mac. The scenery reminds me of parts of New Zealand although I must say the infrastructure and the housing is definitely first class in Japan. Even though you filmed this a year ago it was kinda clever to upload it at around the same time of year as you filmed it last year. Japan, here I come. Although traveling vicariously through you might have to suffice for now. Hoping you are well, looking forward to your next upload. I shall be in Melbourne in Feb next year. Can’t wait to be back in Oz and New Zealand again. Cheers Zoltán

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Hi Zoltan. Thank you! Yes, it was a little cool and wet but I think it’s luck of the draw as I’ve seen quite a few photos and videos with good weather at the same time of year. Yes, there are similarities with New Zealand. Happy to aid your vicarious travels! A trip Down Under is definitely something to look forward to. Cheers!

[@yasukiwi]

@@FromtheWindowSeat As a Kiwi it does a little bit but really this is so much better if I'm being honest and you don't see the gorge scenery in NZ from a train. It's more alpine or there are river viaducts down the south of the Nth Island but not in an enclosed gorge. For the cobalt blue river scenes and lovely valleys or gorges, if you are going to Europe next year, I would highly recommend venturing on SZ Slovenian Railways mainline Maribor to Ljubljana and taking in the Sava River Valley that the line runs along and also the much less taken especially by foreign tourists, secondary line from Jesenice near the Austrian border to Sezana in the southwest near the border to Trieste, Italy. It's a very fine river valley following line! Slovenia like Japan also gets the marvellous Autumnal colours including around the lake areas Bled and Bohinj. By the way, talking of NZ, nice capture of the guy wearing the NZ sweatshirt on the platform right at the end of the video 😄

[@lilfloss7]

Such a beautiful journey - I’d never heard of it before! The colour of the water is just stunning. Thanks for another great video 🌟

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Happy to share - I hope you get to see it in person one day!

[@sarbaazchabahar]

I enjoy ever bit of your well done videos. Thank you for sharing👍✌️

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great to hear - thank you!

[@birdman5223]

Wonderful👍👍😊

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks! 😊

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I love those little electric locomotives on it.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Same! 😍

[@Bogieking78]

Very nice ride! I swear I've seen G-Gauge trains bigger than these LOL! Thanks for sharing!

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Haha, I know what you mean! 😂

[@Fredrikgaard]

I traveled this line in May this year, one week after Golden week, on a Tuesday. It wasn,t very crowded and the weather was perfect. The landscape was green and lush and the view was gourgeous. I can highly recommend visiting this valley. Sadly i could only go halfway up the gorge because of the damaged bridge. As a narrow gauge train nerd, this was on my bucket list.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great to hear! ☺️

[@k.rot9175]

Just wonderful 🙂

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@zanegracie39]

Excellent video, i didn't know Japan had a narrow gauge private railway, 2' 6", that was quite spectacular, thankyou for posting.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@timbounds7190]

Amazing journey - it's surprising that its not better known outside Japan.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Agreed!

[@alangordon3283]

Excellent.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you!

[@fibopol9805]

Hi Mate!! Kind regards from Bs As, Argentina... I usually follow all your videos showing trains and places in Australia, although I haven't seen this video yet, it must be good... Amazing footage Adam. All the best... here Rodolfo, a former railway worker, son of a railway worker and very fond of INXS... UN ABRAZO

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Hola Rodolfo. Great to hear that - gracias!

[@heathertruskinger6214]

Hi Adam. That sure is some amazing scenery. Thanks for the video. I guess those timber seats would be a bit jarring on the butt and back, but it would be worth the pain 😂

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Hi Heather. To be honest, I didn’t notice them that much … think all my attention was on the scenery (and staying dry!). 😜

[@heinzhermann9303]

Very nice video, we are currently planning to cross the Japanese Alps ourselves in autumn 2025, it's a pity that the railway line is interrupted.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Hopefully by the time you visit, the line may reopen.

[@pjotrekse]

At 16:42 at the the Keyakidaira station, it is very obviously two cars down on your left side, so there must be a way to drive there.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Good spotting … so there is. Had a quick look on a map and there does appear to be a road from the east (so the opposite direction from the train line).

[@田中よう-x5f5o]

My hometown is Toyama and I can confirm there is no road down the gorge. Kurobe Gorge Railway has cars specialised to carry vehicles since they needed excavators, trucks and other equipments when building dams and power plants.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

@@田中よう-x5f5o That makes sense … thank you!

[@mattrodger7097]

Another Japanese rail journey going along a river and valley that I would recommend is the Sagano Romantic Train. It goes from Arashiyama (near Kyoto) to Umahari. We went in December 2018 and whilst it was winter, we got the end of the autumnal leaves making a spectacular journey.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Yes! I took that train while in Japan. 🥰

[@yasukiwi]

@@FromtheWindowSeat There's also the heritage Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka up the Oi River valley which I've been to a couple of times but I'd say this gorge is more beautiful. But the Oigawa Railway has in common with this railway that for the upper river gorge area from Senzu to Ikawa that it also uses small electric locos and has open carriages (you wanna take ear plugs for the screeching around many tight curves!) and also that like Kurobe Gorge Railway it was built to construct a dam (Ikawa). It also features the cobalt blue river and some beautiful bridges including a similar red ones, and some onsens (of course). The point of difference is the use of steam trains for some trains on the first part of the railway to Senzu, and then the second part of the line up to Ikawa Dam those electric locos are the only rack railway locos in Japan. Infact they have a sister railway relationship with one of the Swiss rack railways. You've probably already done that one as well but if you haven't I highly recommend!

[@MoraneAI]

Another trip worth doing near there is the Alpine route, which crosses the Northern alps using a combination of cable cars, aerial rope way, buses, and Japans only electric trolley bus. You walk across the Korobe Dam.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Yes, that was on my wishlist but I just couldn’t fit it into my itinerary. Guess I’ll have to go back! 🥳

[@yasukiwi]

@@FromtheWindowSeat Yes I did that one on the last day it was open before the Winter closure so I took the Toyama Chihou's other line down to Toyama Stn (that Tateyama Line and particularly station infra was looking decidedly in need of some TLC. Looks from video like money been spent on mainline) after doing the crossing inside and over the mountain. I was the opposite. Did the Tateyama route but couldn't do the Kurobe Gorge route which I'd also wanted to do as by late November it was already closed 😭 After seeing this video I really do hope I can come back some time in the Autumn and go on this train and do some hiking and onsen bathing!

[@zJoriz]

I was surprised when they switched the points @1:44. Many Japanese local operators seem to just have their trains "cut" them. Speaking of which, that's what the Kurobe Gorge train does @12:50

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Yes, that is interesting!

[@HoshikawaHikari]

Must go

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Definitely!

[@RajeevKumar-mu9wb]

❤❤❤❤

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thanks!

[@indranibd85]

Will you try the overnight xpt from Sydney to Melbourne

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Hopefully! Just need to find the time.

[@r4jpyr24us3]

Welcome to Japan. I am glad you liked a taking a ride. You found a monkey, but I think you missed the suspension bridge exclusively for monkeys. What a nice and friendly facility, isn’t it ? The bridge is shown at 8;35. Please come back again and walk to Babadani Onsen where you will find a natural bath tub in the gulch, stream. It takes less than one hour from Keyakidani station.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! I knew about the monkey bridge but had doubts that was what I’d captured in my video … so thank you for confirming! Yes, it was great. Definitely keen ti check out the onsen next time. 😊

[@RileyCummaudo]

Adam I’m going to Adelaide on Sunday

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Oh cool!

[@umezawa.kiyoshi]

ご来訪ありがとうございます。現在は猫又までしかいけません。来年秋には欅平まで開通予定です。

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

更新情報をありがとうございます。知っておいて役に立ちます!

[@dulanaperera9070]

Come to sri lanka 🇱🇰 ❤

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Hopefully one day! 🤞

[@ABTrainsYT]

You coming to Europe anytime soon? You’ll be amazed what we have on offer 😛

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Hoping to in 2025. 🤞

[@SumitKumar-em7qp]

❤

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

❤️

[@gallardoo9]

wonder what happens when power goes off like during the earthquake those trains cant run wonder if they have back up locomotives running on diesel

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Yes, I think they do (and/or battery locos).

[@DarkMatter1992]

3:23 everyone makes mistakes, as the Japanese proverb goes "Saru mo ki kara ochiru" (Even monkeys fall from trees).

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

I did not know that proverb but I like it. Arigato!

[@MarcelosalivaTRENESArg]

Excellent video my friends awesome 😮like and Greeting 🙋🏻‍♂️ from Argentina 🇦🇷 suscribete New suscriptor 😊

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Glad to have you on board! 🙏

[@UlrichGronau]

Thanks. Nice video but, sorry, a little to much blahblah. Especially if the video is considered non-English speaking. All the blah-blah is annoying because the Japanese announcer can't keep her mouth shut. But otherwise, nice video

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Thank you! Unfortunately there’s not much I could do about the Japanese announcement other than replace them with music.