Photo/Illutration Visitors take in the view of the Kurobe Gorge from a panoramic observatory in Kurobe, Toyama Prefecture, on June 1, 2018. (Kazuhiro Takeda)

KUROBE, Toyama Prefecture--Day trips to the scenic Kurobe Gorge here will kick off from June 16, offering panoramic views of the Northern Japan Alps and snow-capped peaks in good weather.

Visitors will also be able to glimpse facilities managed by Kansai Electric Power Co. that are usually off-limits, including a work tunnel used for the stunning alpine Kurobe Route as well as a mine shaft elevator with a height difference of 200 meters.

Visitors must take a trolly train operated by Kurobe Gorge Railway Co. at Unazuki Station to reach Keyakidaira Station, from where they take an exclusive work train heading to the mine shaft elevator.

Other trips involve passing through an upper tunnel leading to the Kurobe Dam and a walk along a 370-meter-long mountain trail to reach a panoramic observatory.

If weather permits, visitors can take in the scenery of the Northern Japan Alps against the backdrop of a blue sky.

The six-hour excursion is held thrice daily on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays until Nov. 13.

It costs 7,000 yen ($52) for adults and 5,000 yen for elementary school pupils. The tour is not available for children of fourth-grade age or younger.

Reservations must be made at least two days in advance through a special website at (https://kurobe-panorama.jp/).

Reservations for the third tour are accepted until 9 a.m. on the day of the tour if tickets are still available for the trolley train that leaves Unazuki Station at 11:27 a.m.