Ōwakudani (大涌谷, lit. "Great Boiling Valley") is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It was created around 3,000 years ago, as a result of the explosion of the Hakone volcano.[1]
Ōwakudani as seen from the Hakone RopewayKuro-tamago hard-boiled eggs
It is a popular tourist site for its scenic views, volcanic activity, and kuro-tamago (黒卵, lit. "black egg") — a local variety of hard-boiled eggs that uses the hot springs in their preparation.[2] As a result of them being boiled in the mineral-rich waters of the valley, which contain high levels of sulfur, the egg shells turn black and give off a slightly sulfuric odour; eating one is said to add seven years to your life.[3]
Upon seeing the hellish scenery, when Kōbō Daishi visited Owakudani more than a thousand years ago, he offered prayer to Bodhisattva. The Enmei-jizō in Owakudani is said to have its origin in the prayer.[4]
Most visitors used to hike the roughly 1 km (0.62 mi) trail (which has been closed since 2015 due to increased volcanic activity) or take the Hakone Ropeway to close to where the eggs are boiled to participate in the ritual egg eating. The funitel offers a vast view of 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 decades.
Closureedit
The tourist site in Ōwakudani was closed in May 2015 due to volcanic activity. It re-opened on April 27, 2016, but not fully, as it is not possible to walk close to the steaming vents due to the hazards involved. People with asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, heart pacemakers, and pregnant women are advised not enter the valley because of high volcanic activity.[7][8]
In popular cultureedit
Ōwakudani is featured in the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and its manga adaptation. In the anime, the protagonist Shinji ends up near Ōwakudani after running from Misato's apartment.[9][10]
Referencesedit
^"Owakudani – Hakone Things To Do & Itineraries | Planetyze". planetyze.com.
Ōwakudani, 大涌谷, great, boiling, valley, volcanic, valley, with, active, sulphur, vents, springs, hakone, kanagawa, prefecture, japan, created, around, years, result, explosion, hakone, volcano, seen, from, hakone, ropeway, kuro, tamago, hard, boiled, eggs, pop. Ōwakudani 大涌谷 lit Great Boiling Valley is a volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs in Hakone Kanagawa Prefecture Japan It was created around 3 000 years ago as a result of the explosion of the Hakone volcano 1 Ōwakudani as seen from the Hakone Ropeway Kuro tamago hard boiled eggs It is a popular tourist site for its scenic views volcanic activity and kuro tamago 黒卵 lit black egg a local variety of hard boiled eggs that uses the hot springs in their preparation 2 As a result of them being boiled in the mineral rich waters of the valley which contain high levels of sulfur the egg shells turn black and give off a slightly sulfuric odour eating one is said to add seven years to your life 3 Upon seeing the hellish scenery when Kōbō Daishi visited Owakudani more than a thousand years ago he offered prayer to Bodhisattva The Enmei jizō in Owakudani is said to have its origin in the prayer 4 Contents 1 Access 2 Closure 3 In popular culture 4 References 5 External linksAccess editAccess to Ōwakudani is via a funitel the Hakone Ropeway Ōwakudani Station 5 or a bus line from Odawara Station Hakone Yumoto Station Kowakidani Station Kojiri the Izuhakone Bus Ōwakudani Bus Stop 6 There is a road to a visitor s center just below the Kuro tamago hot springs site Most visitors used to hike the roughly 1 km 0 62 mi trail which has been closed since 2015 due to increased volcanic activity or take the Hakone Ropeway to close to where the eggs are boiled to participate in the ritual egg eating The funitel offers a vast view of 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 decades Closure editThe tourist site in Ōwakudani was closed in May 2015 due to volcanic activity It re opened on April 27 2016 but not fully as it is not possible to walk close to the steaming vents due to the hazards involved People with asthma bronchitis heart disease heart pacemakers and pregnant women are advised not enter the valley because of high volcanic activity 7 8 In popular culture editŌwakudani is featured in the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and its manga adaptation In the anime the protagonist Shinji ends up near Ōwakudani after running from Misato s apartment 9 10 References edit Owakudani Hakone Things To Do amp Itineraries Planetyze planetyze com Secret behind kuro tamago 国立公園 箱根 大涌谷 大涌谷くろたまご館 www owakudani com The Owakudani Kurotamago kan 国立公園 箱根 大涌谷 大涌谷くろたまご館 www owakudani com Owakudani Hakone Travel Guide Planetyze Planetyze Retrieved 2018 02 21 Hakone Ropeway Hakone Ropeway Retrieved 2015 11 17 Izuhakone Bus timetable PDF Izuhakone Bus Retrieved 2018 06 26 Animal Science 2015 05 06 Alert Raised at Japan s Hakone as Earthquakes Continue WIRED Retrieved 2015 11 17 Volcanic Activity in Hakone Jnto go jp Retrieved 2015 11 17 EVA YA Hakone Your Guide to All Things Hakone Retrieved May 12 2022 Hannah Dayna March 4 2020 Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime Pilgrimage Locations in Hakone Japan Travel Blog Retrieved May 12 2022 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ōwakudani 35 14 31 N 139 01 14 E 35 241916 N 139 020667 E 35 241916 139 020667 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ōwakudani amp oldid 1193591884, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
