Orders

Owakudani Valley

Name: Owakudani Valley
Address: 62VC+3R, Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan
Rating: 4.4

4.4 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Owakudani Valley in the Hakone region of Japan is a volcanic valley with active sulfur vents and hot springs known for its otherworldly landscape. This area, whose name means "Great Boiling Valley," offers a unique glimpse into the earth's raw power, with steam clouds, bubbling pools, and a distinct sulfur scent that fills the air.

Visitors to Owakudani can take a cable car ride to get an aerial view of this steaming wonderland, witnessing the rugged terrain and the volcanic activity that defines the valley. One of the must-try experiences here is eating the famous black eggs, which are eggs boiled in the hot springs, turning their shells black and said to extend one's life by seven years.

Owakudani Valley also offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji on clear days, providing a perfect backdrop to this dramatic landscape. Despite its stark and rugged nature, Owakudani has a certain beauty, with walking trails that allow visitors to explore up close and learn about the volcanic activity that has shaped the region.

Visiting Owakudani Valley is an adventure, offering a chance to witness the power of nature and enjoy one of Japan's most unique geological sites.

Hours:

24/7

Closed:

Varies due to volcanic activity or weather

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

Hakone Ropeway: ~1,500 yen for adults (one way)

Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 460-84-5201

Website

www.kanagawa-park.or.jp

The area

Address

62VC+3R, Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0631, Japan

Top ways to experience Owakudani Valley

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Discover Hakone: An Exclusive Full-Day Private Tour with an English-Speaking Guide

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Explore the Majestic: A Full-Day Private Journey to Mt. Fuji and Hakone

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1 day

Mt. Fuji & Hakone One-Day Trip from Tokyo

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What other travelers are saying about Owakudani Valley

Beautiful scenery. This place had so many visitors in February during off season. Like I am talking at least a little over 1,000 people on the summit the day we were there. Mt Fuji was on full display. The staff were prepared with their iconic black sulfur cooked eggs for the thousands of people there. I would love to come back during less crowded times but I am not sure if that time exists here anymore.

John Morris

Feb 11, 2025

100% worth the time to get up here. It may take some time to get up the rope way, but it's most definitely worth it. The views at the very top are spectacular. Many opportunities to see Fuji-san, the twilight made it even better. The volcanic smell isn't that bad, but you can definitely smell the sulfur in the air. Black egg was pretty dang good too. A nice warm snack. The winds were pretty wild during our visit and it did get pretty cold. So bring something warm to wear if you're going up in autumn. It will take you a bit of time to get back down so be prepared for a long journey.

Billy Luu

Nov 24, 2024

Crowded and everything had a strong sulfur smell to it which was to be expected. Once you take in the magnificent view, there really isn't much to do besides purchase souvenirs. You can also purchase the famous black eggs that are cooked in the sulfur springs. It's very visually stunning, but flavors are pretty mild. About 400 yen for 4 eggs. It's pretty worth it for the experience. From here, you can take the ropeway to Lake Ashi. Which does offer some exquisite views.

Tammy Vodinh

Jan 27, 2025

Fantastic place. Do note that there is a trekking path from the ashinoko lake, but we were unable to find the path from Owakudani down to the lake, so we had to take a gondola. The views are fantastic, but do check if the cable cars/ gondolas are running during the time of your visit. The nature walk along the 6 shelters also require advanced reservation, so make sure to check the website if you want to walk along the mountain.

Karl Rufus

Dec 24, 2024

Very scenic spot to view Mount Fuji and to observe(and smell) volcanic activity up close. Various vantage points to take nice individual/group photos with Mount Fuji. Do not walk on the road though, the local security guard has to constantly prevent people from obstructing the flow of traffic.