Owakudani ［大涌谷］

Owakudani

Owakudani is the volcanic vent of Mt. Kami which was formed approximately 3,000 years ago during the last eruption of the Hakone volcano.

Although it was called the O-jigoku (great hell) up until the Edo period, the area has now been improved so that visitors can view the volcanic fumes rising from the Owakudani Nature Trail.
The smell of sulfur and the view of the desolate earth spewing out white fumes are indeed overwhelming.

Owakudani's special boiled eggs are made by utilizing geothermal heat and they have black shells because of sulfur and iron contents in the hot spring water attaching to them. Hence, they are called "Kuro-Tamago (black eggs)" and are extremely popular among the visitors. It is said that every egg a person eats will prolong his/her life by seven years.

Additionally, there is an altar enshrining the Owakudani Enmei-Jizoson (guardian deity of longevity) which was made by the monk Kobodaishi who hoped to save the people suffering from volcanic disasters.