Owakudani is the remains of an explosion crater formed by a steam explosion of the Hakone volcano about 3,000 years ago. Even today, the rugged landscape, with white smoke rising vigorously and the smell of sulfur in the air, allows you to feel the life force of the earth up close. This dynamic landscape is truly worthy of being described as "Hell Valley," and leaves a strong impression on visitors.

The specialty here is the "black eggs," boiled in the heat and sulfur of the hot springs. It is said that eating one of these eggs will extend your life by seven years, and they are very popular with tourists as a lucky charm. You can also see the manufacturing process of the black eggs, and their unique color and legend make the experience of eating them even more special.

Owakudani is also a stop on the Hakone Ropeway, and the view from the ropeway is exceptional. The contrast of the smoke area spreading out below and Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi in the distance is breathtakingly beautiful. This is a must-see spot for sightseeing in Hakone, where the power of nature and the people who live there coexist.

[Trivia]
The shells of Owakudani's black eggs turn black due to the presence of iron. This iron reacts with the hydrogen sulfide in the hot springs to form iron sulfide, which is what gives them their black color. Even if the shells turn black, the contents are the same as regular boiled eggs.
You can also purchase black eggs not only at the Owakudani Station shop, but also at the Hakone Ropeway's Togendai Station and Sounzan Station shops.

[Hidden gem]
The observation deck at Owakudani is crowded, but the Nature Study Trail, a little further away, is a hidden gem where you can get a closer look at the smoke zone. However, access may be restricted depending on the volcanic gas situation, so be sure to follow local signs.