Owakudani Valley

Owakudani Valley is an active volcanic area in Hakone, where steam and sulfur gas pour out of the bare, yellow-streaked hillside. It is the middle station of the Hakone Ropeway, and most visitors stop here to see the vents, smell the sulfur and eat the black eggs boiled in the hot spring water.

The valley formed about 3,000 years ago, when a steam explosion on the Hakone volcano sent a landslide down the mountain. It was long known as Ojigoku, or "great hell," and was renamed Owakudani ("great boiling valley") in 1873 ahead of a visit by Emperor Meiji.

Owakudani is one of the Hakone stops on a two weeks from Tokyo to Osaka route that also covers Kyoto.

How to get to Owakudani

Most visitors arrive on the Hakone Ropeway, which runs from Sounzan to Togendai on Lake Ashi with Owakudani in the middle. Each section takes about 15 minutes, and riders on the full route change gondolas at Owakudani.

• From Hakone-Yumoto: take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora, the cable car to Sounzan, then the ropeway up to Owakudani.

• From Lake Ashi: ride the ropeway up from Togendai, via Ubako.

• Fare: the full ropeway route costs 2,000 yen one way or 3,000 yen round trip for adults, and 700 or 1,000 yen for children.

• Hakone Freepass: covers the Tozan Railway, the cable car, the ropeway and the Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise.

• By car: set your navigation to the Owakudani Kurotamago-kan shop or the ropeway station, since the street address can send you to the wrong spot.

The ropeway stops in strong winds, bad weather and during its annual inspection, so check its status on the day. If you would rather skip the transfers, the Mt. Fuji and Hakone bus tour from Tokyo includes a stop at Owakudani.

What to see at Owakudani

Black eggs (kuro-tamago)

The best-known thing to do here is eat a kuro-tamago, an egg boiled in the volcanic spring until its shell turns black. They are sold in bags of four for 500 yen at the shop by the ropeway station. Local legend says each egg adds seven years to your life.

Owakudani Nature Research Trail

A 700-meter path climbs past the steam vents to Entomadai, the hot spring pond where the eggs are boiled each day, and a viewpoint over the Hakone mountains toward Mount Fuji. It reopened as a guided walk only. Groups of up to 30 go out four times a day with two staff, wear helmets and take about 40 minutes.

The walk costs 800 yen per person, paid on the day, and must be booked in advance on the guided trail reservation page. It is open to elementary school children and older. Tours are canceled when gas levels are high or in rain, strong wind or fog.

The view from the ropeway

The gondola passes directly over the steaming slopes just before Owakudani Station, which is the best overhead view of the valley. For fares, sections and the best seats, read up on ropeway tickets and views before you go.

Volcanic gas and safety

Owakudani still gives off hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, both harmful in high concentrations. People with asthma or other breathing problems, heart conditions or who feel unwell should not enter the area. If the smell turns strong or your eyes and throat sting, leave.

Access is restricted when volcanic activity rises. Check the volcanic alert level for Hakone from the Japan Meteorological Agency, and the ropeway's operating status, before you set out.

Best time to visit Owakudani

Go on a clear day if you want to see Mount Fuji, which is often hidden by cloud in summer and is most reliably visible in the colder months. Arrive in the morning on weekends and holidays, when queues for the ropeway build through the day. From Owakudani, most people continue down to Lake Ashi below the valley for the sightseeing cruise.