Owakudani
A sulphur valley still venting from an eruption three thousand years ago, where eggs boiled in the springs turn black and are said to add seven years to your life.
Still venting
Owakudani — the Great Boiling Valley — is what remains active of the Hakone volcano, a landscape of bare yellow-grey rock and steam vents reached by ropeway over the top of it. The valley is the source of the region’s hot springs, and the local speciality is kuro tamago: eggs boiled in the sulphurous pools, whose shells turn black through a reaction with the iron and sulphur. Tradition holds that eating one adds seven years to your life. Access closes without warning when gas levels rise, which they periodically do.
Explore Owakudani on the map
City locations, drawn from our published destination data. Attractions, hotels and restaurants are not mapped yet.
What to look for
A short walk, a view and an egg.
💨 The vents
- Steam and sulphur across bare volcanic rock
- A short designated walking path from the ropeway station
🥚 Kuro tamago
- Black eggs boiled in the springs, sold in bags of five
🗻 The view
- Fuji from the ropeway and the station terrace on clear days
Getting there
Ropeway only — there is no public road access to the valley.
🚡 By ropeway
- From Sounzan or from Togendai on the lake; covered by the Hakone Free Pass
⚠️ Closures
- The ropeway section closes when volcanic gas rises
- A replacement bus runs, but may not reach the valley itself
🕒 Hours
- Ropeway operates roughly 9am to 5pm, shorter in winter
When to visit
Cold, clear and calm — and always check the status first.
❄️ Winter
- Steam is far more visible in cold air, and Fuji is far more likely
🌬 Wind
- The ropeway suspends in high wind, which is common on the ridge
⚠️ Volcanic alert
- Check the current status the morning you travel
Visitor intelligence
An active volcanic site, and the restrictions are real safety measures.
🫁 Health
- People with asthma, heart or respiratory conditions are advised not to go up
- This is posted at the ropeway stations and is not a formality
💍 Sulphur
- Tarnishes silver — take jewellery off before you arrive
📷 Photography
- Vents from the ropeway car give the best angle
- Stay on the marked path; the ground off it is unstable and hot
⏱ Pace
- Thirty minutes is enough unless you are queueing for eggs
Frequently asked
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