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All Japan Hakone Owakudani Black Eggs
Gastro Obscura

Owakudani Black Eggs

Legend holds eating just one of these black eggs can add seven years to one's life.

Hakone, Japan

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Clinton
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Broken eggshells litter the pavement.   http://flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/851798254/
Although black on the outside…   http://flickr.com/photos/96296929@N00/2789...
“Valley of the Greater Boiling” from the Hakone ropeway Source: spinkk/Atlas Obscura   Ken Spink
the inside of the egg looks like that of any other.   http://flickr.com/photos/96296929@N00/2788...
Eggs soon to be cooked in the spring.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/23766028@N00/...
Rope ferry carrying raw eggs to the hot springs.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/850928...
Fresh eggs are served in bags of five. Sharing is advised.   Rachel Rummel for Atlas Obscura
A hot spring in Owakudani.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/74758569@N00/...
  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gre...
Owakudani aerial tram.   http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Owa...
Mount Fuji from Hakone cable car Source: spinkk/Atlas Obscura   Ken Spink
Lake Ashi from Hakone cable car Source: spinkk/Atlas Obscura   Ken Spink
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The Owakudani Valley.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Black egg stools!   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
One of the vendor windows in the Owakudani.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
There’s always a Hello Kitty collab for any occasion.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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Owakudani, meaning the Great Boiling Valley, is located in the mountain town of Hakone. One can take an aerial tram up to the hot springs, or walk up the 1 km path. On clear days either route delivers spectacular views of the ominous Mt. Fuji.

Once the springs are reached, kuro-tamago, or black eggs, can be purchased four at a time. The eggs are ordinary chicken eggs but the shell turns black due to being boiled in the hot sulfur spring. Local tradition holds that for each black egg eaten, seven years is added to one's life. However, some say that eating more than two is not recommended.

The valley is sometimes referred to as "The Death Valley" by locals. Some 3000 years ago Mount Hakone erupted leaving the hot spring filled crater. All along the path to the egg vendor are active sulfuric geysers, which can be hazardous at times. The area is prone to landslides due to the constant volcanic activity. In potentially unsafe conditions, the walkways to the egg boiling springs may be closed.

Related Tags

Geological Oddities Unique Restaurants & Bars Geology

Know Before You Go

Currently the black eggs can be purchased at any of the Owakudani’s souvenir stores for 500 yen, four at a time. Typically the expiration date is within two days after purchase. If you want to eat it on the spot, grab a seat at the café at the back of the Kurotamago-kan souvenir shop or sit outside on a bench or one of the stools shaped after the black egg.

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Added By

Clinton

Edited By

Fred Cherrygarden, rachelrummel

  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • rachelrummel

Published

November 21, 2009

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  • http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5203.html
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Boiling_Valley
Owakudani Black Eggs
Sengokubara 1251
Hakone, 250-0631
Japan
35.244378, 139.019812
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