Ōwakudani, One of Hakone’s Most Popular Sights www.nippon.com

Visitors to Hakone’s Ōwakudani can take in the spectacular volcanic landscape, punctuated by billowing steam vents, and savor the distinct flavor of the “black eggs” cooked in the thermal waters.

Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is a popular day-trip destination from Tokyo offering scenic spots like pristine Lake Ashi and the rolling fields of Sengokuhara and magnificent views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The area also boasts historic sites like Hakone Shrine and the Hakone sekisho, once an important checkpoint on the old Tōkaidō highway, along with numerous museums and other sightseeing spots. Accommodations range from traditional hot spring inns to glitzy, modern resort hotels. One of Hakone’s best-known draws is Ōwakudani, a rugged valley riddled with volcanic vents belching pungent clouds of steam.