Owakudani sulphurous geiser valley (The Great Boiling Valley) (Hakone)

 valley, park, volcano, panoramic view, nature conservation park / area, hot spring, interesting place

The valley, with its pillars of steam, smell of sulphurous emanations and unceasing threating humming produces a big impression on everybody. Once an erupted volcano, the place is now still boiling underground; landslides are still possible, and to prevent big eruptions, special valves let the exess steam out (hence the constant humming sound from the field below).

Once, the slope was covered with big trees but those did not survive the eruption, and now only low trees, bushes and grass grow there. The tourist path (which can be occasionally closed for safety reasons) leads to a number of fumaroles, never coming too close to those yet. Visitors should never step off the path as this is extremely dangerous. Another danger except the high temperature of the fumaroles and their emissions is gases; the sulphurides are especially dangerous for people with weakened breathing system, or cardiovascular system, including aged and underage persons. One should not walk here alone so that help might be rendered to those feeling bad; also, remember that the air is monitored for the content of dangerous substances and if there is an immediate danger, and alarm shall be sounded.

Yet, the experience is worth any invonveniences. The majestic views are something to be seen once; except the geisers, there's the Mount Fuji visible on good days (best observation points are the steps near the egg-boiling point, the parking lot between the rope-car station and the shops, and the foundation of the stantion, below the departure point upwards, behind teh station).

The egg-boiling station and the shop below are connected with a rope-way which is carrying eggs, and eggs only: raw ones go up to the hot spring, and the steam-boiled "tamago-no onsen" go back down so the people who might have difficulty climbing up the steps to the onsen, can buy a set of still hot black eggs in the shop. At the station souvenir shop the eggs are available too, but here they are already cold. According to the legend, the eggs give seven years of life for one eaten egg.

A hiking trail goes to the mountain top (approx. 2 hours walk, and the path is not so easy to walk).

See also: wikitravel.org/en/Hakone