Protected by diverse forested mountains and spectacularly accentuated by abyss ravines and glens, Hakone is situated between the Izu Peninsula and Mt. Fuji. Its mild and cool climate and an aura of being cocooned in a special nature's hideaway is the enticing call of Hakone. It is considered a top fave destination among the locals and foreigners alike, offering myriads of attractions including its famous national park, Owakudani.Owakudani or "The Great Boiling Valley" is a dormant volcanic hot spot made up of sulfurous steam vents that spurt upward and hot springs that bubble out. Divided into 2 parts, the Jikokuzawa and Enmadai, it lies in the ancient crater of Mt. Kamiyama which was formed some 3,000 years ago after its eruption.
Once known as "Oojigoku" or hell, it was renamed "Oowakudani" before the Meiji emperor's visit in 1876 since it was not appropriate for the emperor to go to a place called hell.
Travelers can also come by exhibits and check on Hakone's natural history and geography at the Owakudani Natural Science Museum, open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are also some souvenir shops like the Owakudani Kanko center and Yu-land that sell traditional handicrafts and genuine native products of Hakone. Aside from the kuro-tamago, palatable foods can also be enjoyed at restaurants like Yunohana.
Roaming around the vicinity can give one a sight of the marvelous smoking volcano and a smell of themysterious whiff of sulfur. From the parking area, it would take 30 minutes to go up in the mid section ofthe volcano. There one can find a tourist hub that offers various souvenirs and kuro-tamago or black jewel eggs which are a Hakone specialty.
These eggs are cooked in the boiling mud and are believed to be good for the health. Its shells are a marbled black because of the chemical reaction with the sulfurous water but the inside is just delectable. Japanese legend has it that every single black egg eaten will add seven years to one's life thus making the kuro-tamago an unusual favorite Hakone treat. So, beware of eating too many of these black eggs, or you might live to a hundred and five!
Another must see enticement of Owakudani is the statue of Jizouson, the guardian deity of longevity and child-raising and is known in the area for its transcending spiritual power.
Travelers can also come by exhibits and check on Hakone's natural history and geography at the Owakudani Natural Science Museum, open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are also some souvenir shops like the Owakudani Kanko center and Yu-land that sell traditional handicrafts and genuine native products of Hakone. Aside from the kuro-tamago, palatable foods can also be enjoyed at restaurants like Yunohana.A breathtaking scenery experience of Mt. Fuji and Nagao Pass also awaits one in Owakudani.
How to Get There:
Take the Hakone ropeway to Owakudani, or take the bus from Odawara Sta. on the JR line, Odakyu line for Kojiri via Owakudani for 45 minutes. And get off at Owakudani.
*published in the June '08 issue of "Let's Tour Japan", Philippine Digest*
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