Alternatives places to stay, Unazuki

I am planning a trip to Kurobe Gorge mid of November. I will arrive at Tokyo. Originally, I intended to stay over night at Unazuki, then take the Kurobe Gorge Railway in the next morning, in order to maximize the daylight time that I can spend in the gorge.

However, I found the hotels at Unazuki way too expensive. Is there any alternative? Is staying near Kurobe-Unazuki-Onsen station a good idea? or should I stay in Uozu?

Thank you.

I will be going there end of October on a daytrip from Kanazawa as the new Shinkansen services make the journey quicker.

Toyama seems another good alternative as written in this article www.justonecookbook.com/kurobe-gorge-japans-nature-wonder/