May 07 (NHK) - A sightseeing railway that runs through Kurobe Gorge in central Japan has begun full operations, offering visitors stunning views of spring greenery.
Many holidaymakers boarded the train at Unazuki Station on Saturday. They enjoyed the natural landscape of the deep, rugged gorge and clear mountain streams.
The railway does not operate during winter due to deep snow. It partially resumed service on April 20th and is now running to the terminus at Keyakidaira Station.
A man from eastern Japan who came with his family said he was looking forward to his first ride on the railway. He said he wanted to see a famous rock in the Keyakidaira area.
An official with Kurobe Gorge Railway, Mitsuyoshi Maezawa, said Saturday was the perfect day to start service on the railway this year thanks to the good weather.
The service runs until the end of November. The railway hopes for a total of 710,000 passengers, 30,000 more than last year.