Hakone · Owakudani and Sengokuhara
Owakudani
How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24
Photo: そらみみ・CC BY-SA 3.0
A smoking volcanic valley, famous for black eggs boiled in its hot springs.
- Nearest station
- About 10 minutes by ropeway from Sounzan
- Hours
- Kurotama shop 9:00-16:30 (black eggs sold until 16:40)
- Admission
- No entry fee listed for the valley; the nature trail asks a 800 yen contribution and needs a reservation
What to see
- Nature trail: a 700 m path near the vents, with a viewpoint of Hakone's mountains and Mt. Fuji.
- Black eggs: boiled in the hot pools until the shell turns black; 500 yen for four. One is said to add seven years to your life.
- Steam vents: the air smells of volcanic gas.
History
Formed by a landslide after a steam explosion about 3,000 years ago. Once called 'Great Hell', it was renamed Owakudani before the imperial visit of 1873.
Getting there
Ropeway Owakudani Station, about 10 minutes from Sounzan. The operator recommends the ropeway because parking gets crowded.
Address：1251 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Kanagawa (Owakudani Kurotamago-kan)
Before you go
As of Oct 24, 2026 the nature trail is open only as a reserved, guided walk (4 times a day, 30 people each, about 40 minutes). It is cancelled when volcanic gas is high or in rain, strong wind or fog. The Japan Meteorological Agency lists Hakone at alert level 1 (be aware it is an active volcano), with no notices in the past week. People with asthma or heart or lung conditions should be especially careful.
Gora, Owakudani and Sengokuhara
Tap a red pin to open that sight's page.
Nearby sights
← Hakone guide: trains from Tokyo
Sources
Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
- 大涌谷くろたまご館 公式（checked 2026-10-24）
- 大涌谷 公式（自然研究路）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 大涌谷 公式（歴史）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 気象庁（箱根山の火山活動の状況）（checked 2026-10-24）
Map data：© OpenStreetMap contributors