Distributor :  Alexander ND TraveLLer

Hakone (箱根町 Hakone-machi) is a town in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2012, the town had an estimated population of 13,492, and a population density of 145 persons per km². The total area is 92.82 km². Hakone has been designated as a Japanese National Geopark by the Japanese Geoparks Network.

Hakone is to a great degree regarded as a traveler destination; Mt. Fuji can be seen when taking a day trip from Tokyo. In addition to hot springs, museums and other recreation activities, Hakone is known for its scenery during all four seasons.

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 3000 years ago, as a result of the explosion of the Hakone volcano.

It is a popular tourist site for its scenic views, volcanic activity, and kuro-tamago (黒卵 lit. "black egg") — a local specialty of eggs hard-boiled in the hot springs.The eggs turn black and smell slightly sulphuric; eating one is said to add seven years to your life.

Upon seeing the hellish scenery when Koubu Daishi visited Owakudani more than a thousand years ago, he offered prayer to Bodhisattva. The Enmei-jizo in Owakudani is said to have its origin in the prayer.
Hakone Map
Travel plan for first timers in Hakone