#owakudani

[unbfacts]

Hakone Navi says the eggs are first boiled for about 1 hour at 80°C, then steamed for another 15 minutes before they are ready.

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Japan 🗾🗻🚠

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大涌谷

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Hello Kitty at Owakudani, Hakone, Japan: Advertising Kuro-Tamago

The Black Eggs of Owakudani are unique for being boiled in the sulfur and iron rich waters of Mt. Fuji, dying the shells black.

It's said that eating one of these eggs can add 7 years to your lifespan.

I learned these fun facts from my friend Masako when I visited there a couple of years ago!

I did of course eat an egg too! :)

[pix4japan]

Hell Valley (Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)

Until 1873, this area was known as Hell Valley or the Great Hell due to the constant spewing of sulfuric gasses that kill off plant life and paint the reddish brown earth with a tinge of yellow or lime-green.

However, prior to a visit to the site by Emperor Meiji, who had an imperial retreat nearby, the name was changed to Owakudani (boiling water valley) out of sensitivities to the emperor.

Formed over 3,000 years ago, this active volcanic zone draws tourists by the busload and has a ropeway that carries visitors from the shores of nearby Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) over the steaming vents up to the top of the lava dome that formed between 80,000 and 130,000 years ago.

These days, the hot springs and steam are used to slowly boil eggs that are sold at souvenir stands throughout the Hakone area. The hot spring waters are also piped further down into the valley for use by local hot spring resorts.  

Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter ISO 250 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0 Provia/Standard film simulation

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Healing time with Rascal

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Unspoiled nature of Hakone

I can say that Hakone has a special place in my heart. In two years of my stay in Japan, I visited Hakone four times, all with different excitement. Surrounding with unique characteristics and charm, Hakone can be a perfect weekend getaway from busy Tokyo.

Don’t skip to visit Lake Ashi with its famous pirate cruise. Lake Ashi formed as a result of Mount Hakone’s last volcanic eruption 3,000 years ago. If you are lucky, you’ll be able to see Mount Fuji as the background. I was so unfortunate that in my 4-times visit Hakone, I never saw this view. Various cafes and restaurants serving both traditional and international cuisine are available nearby the cruise terminal. Religious Hakone Shrine with remarkable red torii facing Lake Ashi is also worth checking.

>>Lake Ashi

>>Pirate Cruise

>>Ashinoko Chaya

>>Bakery & Table

>>Hakone Shrine

If you want to get more close-up and personal with a volcano, visit Owakudani, a volcanic active valley with active hot springs and sulfur vents. The scenery is surreal with volcanic gas and steam billowing up from all around. While you are in here, you may want to try the black eggs sold in the visitors center. The eggs were boiled and blackened by a chemical reaction in the hot spring. It said that eating one of the black eggs can prolong your life for seven years. Hiking trails and ropeways are available for visitors to explore the area.

>>Black Eggs

Throughout the Hakone area, onsen can be found almost everywhere. From budget hostels or luxury ryokan inn come with a refreshing indoor and outdoor onsen. It said there are 17 types of hot springs in seven hot spring resorts.

Hakone also has many arts museums, such as Hakone Open Air Museum, the first open air museum in Japan. This museum features over 100 sculptures by Japanese and international artists spread over 70,000 square meters. I wrote an article about it, check it too :)

A lot of tour packages with various services are available to travel to and around the Hakone area. The Hakone Free Pass gives you unlimited rides on any of the trains, buses, ropeways, and boats operated by Odakyu. Some packages also include discounts on some onsen.

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film0577 2017/10/27