Unazuki Onsen

Reminiscent of the pristine waters of the Kurobe River, the alkalescent simple hot spring water is clear, colorless and gentle to the skin, and has been called the “tsube-tsube” hot spring for beautiful skin (after the Toyama dialect combining the words “sube-sube” and “tsuru-tsuru,” both onomatopoeic words meaning silky smooth). Because the temperature of the spring source is quite high at approximately 88 degrees Celsius, it warms the body to the core. The various inns in the resort town offer wonderful views of the mountains and the gorge in their seasonal splendor, as well as fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. Also, the “Fireworks over the Snow” display is held every Saturday from January to March each year, creating a spectacular scenery of colorful fireworks rising in the snow-covered gorge.

The Selene Museum of Art displays artworks depicting the vast nature of the Kurobe Gorge. Upon request by the museum, leading traditional Japanese painters including Ikuo Hirayama and Hideo Shioide actually visited the hidden scenic spot and captured its harsh yet magnificent natural environment in their works. Take a moment to absorb the many messages the artists imbued in the works, such as the beauty of nature and the coexistence of the natural world with humankind. The museum also has an observation gallery that overlooks the entire resort town, as well as a cafe popular for the coffee brewed with Kurobe's spring water.