The Great Boiling Valley, or Owakudani in Japanese, is an active volcano with bubbling hot springs all around. The specialty in the valley is eggs boiled in the natural pools. The sulfur from the water dyes the eggshells black.

The Great Boiling Valley, or Owakudani in Japanese, is an active volcano with bubbling hot springs all around. The specialty in the valley is eggs boiled in the natural pools. The sulfur from the water dyes the eggshells black. (Photo: Catherine Hagar)

Kuro-tamago at Owakudani Valley

Black eggs boiled in natural sulfuric vents

Catherine Hagar Sep 28, 2012 - 1 min read

The Great Boiling Valley, or Owakudani in Japanese, is an active volcano with bubbling hot springs all around. The specialty in the valley is eggs boiled in the natural pools. The sulfur from the water dyes the eggshells black.

Owakudani is often covered by fog or steam from the hot springs. The mist gives an eerie feeling as you walk through the valley.

The waters rise high during the rainy season, so be careful if you're coming after a storm.

You can buy a pack of 5 eggs for 500 yen at this shop on the mountain. With a bit of salt, they're really delicious!

Although the outside is black, the insides are normal. The taste is a bit different because of the natural hot water. Just crack the eggs on one of the cement tables and dig in.

Workers constantly add fresh eggs to the sulfuric water. Crate upon crate are dipped in the hot springs.

The eggs are stored on site before being prepared for boiling.

Even when the ropeway is closed down for regular passengers, eggs are brought in from the foot of the mountain.

If you're not full from all the eggs, stop by one of the restaurants near the bus station and grab a bowl of sulfur-boiled ramen.

Venture off to The Great Boiling Valley, Owakudani, via the Ashinoko Lake Cruise.

The smell of sulfur from the valley's volcanic activity will cause you to cover your nose at first, but be sure to brave the smell to taste their delicious kuro-tamago (black eggs).

But don't over-indulge, and be sure to limit yourself to only two and a half eggs. Each egg adds seven years to your life, but eating up to three is considered bad luck.

More info

Find out more about Owakudani.

Catherine Hagar

Catherine Hagar @catherine.hagar