When I was browsing tourist catalogue, after coming to Japan, Owakudani seemed to be the most interesting place from all. For me, Owakudani was like mysterious, exotic wonder of nature, because there aren’t any volcanos in Poland. I couldn’t wait for seing it and last week, I finally got there! When I’m visiting places like that, Ialways remind how great the forces of nature are.

Owakudani is the area around a crater created during the last eruption of Mount Hakone about 3000 years ago. Today, much of the area is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced. Additionally, Owakudani has good views of Mount Fuji on clear days.
You can get to Owakudani from Gora Station by cable car and Hakone Ropeway. It’s much more expansive that getting by bus, but it’s really worth paying! Actually, cable car nad ropeway aren’t only transport means but additional tourist attraction. What’s more, if you chose ropeway transport, instead of monotonous travel by bus, you will have unrepeatable chance to admire lanscape of volcano from high place. Unfortunately, I was there at cloudy and foggy day, that I couldn’t see a lot, but I’m sure that if it’s sunny, view is adorable.

Unfortunately, due to volcanic gases, the walking and hiking trails around Owakudani are currently closed to tourists. They are allowed to walk only within the limits of built complex, where there are many restaurants, bars and shops. However, there are many vantage spots as well, that you can cloesly watch white, rising up smoke and characteristic yellow dust, which cover the ground. Moreover, Owakudani is famous for typical, local black eggs called `kurotamago` in Japanese. The albumen and other parts of the egg still look the same as a traditional boiled egg, but the water that they are boiled in contains sulfur and iron. Because of action of Enmei-jizo deity in that place, the black eggs are believed to add a few years to your life span.

Summary

Because of volcanic gases, Owakudani isn’t open for tourist by all year. In addition, people with some health problems should avoid that place. That’s why you should check properly current announcements on the website, before you go there. However, if you are healthy and want to see the real wonder of nature, you should definietly come there!

Weronika Golubska

Information

*Please check for the latest information before visiting.

* This article was written by a trainee from overseas. Please note that there might be spelling and grammar mistakes.