Owakudani

Owakudani is a place that cannot be missed while sightseeing as it is a place that conveys the volcanic activity of Hakone to this day. Owakudani is the site of the explosion of the Kamiyama crater, which was created by the last explosion of the Hakone volcano about 3,000 years ago, and it is still spewing white fumes containing sulfur. The desolate landscape earned it the name "Great Hell". The name was changed to Owakudani in 1873 out of concern that the Emperor and Empress Meiji would visit a place with a "hell" when they came to Hakone for a retreat. Today, the Owakudani Kuro-tamagokan (Owakudani Black Egg Museum) exists as a place where visitors can enjoy eating and shopping, and "Kuro-tamago (black eggs)" boiled in the acidic hot mud unique to Owakudani has become a popular specialty.

Travel tip

This spooky, sulphury, power spot in Hakone is a must visit. Be sure to check out the black eggs – it is said that eating just one will add 7 years to your life.