Owakudani, Hakone
The Great Boiling Valley (大涌谷, Ōwakudani?) is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. A popular tourist site for its scenic views, volcanic activity, and especially, Kuro-tamago (黒玉子, Kuro-tamago?) — a local specialty of eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs. The boiled eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric; consuming the eggs is said to increase longevity.
Access to the Great Boiling Valley is via an aerial tram. There is also a road to a visitor’s center just below the Kuro-tamago hot springs site. Most visitors hike the roughly 1 kilometer trail to the actual site where the eggs are boiled to participate in the ritual egg eating. The aerial tram offers a stunning view of both Mount Fuji (on clear days) and the sulphur vents just below the visitor’s center. Present day activities surrounding sulphur vents are the result of massive land slides in the past, construction of concrete barriers and stabilization of the area have been under way for many decades.
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