Owakudani Kurotamagokan — Attraction in Hakone

Located just steps from the steamy heart of Owakudani, the Kurotamagokan souvenir shop is a lively, sulfur-scented stop that blends local legend with tourist-friendly charm. It’s best known for its namesake product—the kuro-tamago, or black eggs boiled in the volcanic hot springs. These eggs, said to add seven years to your life, are sold in neat packs with salt and napkins, making it easy to join the tradition on the spot.

The shop itself is compact but well-stocked, offering a mix of regional specialties, quirky gifts, and volcanic-themed merchandise. You’ll find everything from black egg plushies and keychains to snacks infused with charcoal or sulfur motifs. There’s also a selection of Hakone-branded sweets, teas, and bath salts—great for gifting or bringing home a piece of the onsen experience.

Staff are friendly and efficient, and signage includes English, making it accessible for international visitors. The checkout process is smooth, and the packaging is travel-friendly. Outside, there’s a small seating area where you can enjoy your eggs while taking in the dramatic views of the valley’s steaming vents.

Whether you’re there for the folklore, the photo ops, or the novelty of eating a jet-black egg in a volcanic landscape, Kurotamagokan adds a fun, flavorful layer to your...

Owakudani is a volcanic valley in Hakone, Japan, known for its active sulfur vents and hot springs. One of its most famous attractions is the Kurotamago, or black eggs, which are regular chicken eggs boiled in the area's natural hot springs. The sulfur and iron in the water turn the shells black, and local legend says that eating one can add seven years to your life.

The eggs taste like regular hard-boiled eggs, but the unique cooking process and the dramatic volcanic scenery make the experience special. You can purchase them at the Kurotamago House near the Owakudani Ropeway Station. They are typically sold in packs of four for around ¥500 by today exchange rate (May of 2025) approximately $4

The area also offers panoramic views of Mount Fuji on clear days, and there are various shops selling souvenirs and snacks related to the black eggs. It's a popular tourist spot, so it can get crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. Visiting earlier in the day can help...

Once you've hopped off the Hakone Ropeway, made your way down from the Owakudani station, torn yourself away from taking pictures of the hot sulphuric springs, the only other option is to visit the Owakudani Kurotamagokan.

It is really just an oversized souvenir shop, but it does have some truly unique gifts (biscuits, cakes, chocolate gift boxes, key chains, stuffed toys, t-shirts). The must buy item is the black eggs, kuro-tamago, which for a pack of four will cost you ¥500 (cash only). They are just boiled eggs, which are cooked over the natural hot springs, the hydrogen sulphide reacting with iron to create black coating on the eggshells. Local folklore is that eating one egg will extend your lifespan by an additional seven years - so I ate two to make sure I have a long life.

The shop also has a small cafe, where you can buy takeaway food, and nice...