Recommended for such people
・ I want to experience an extraordinary feeling
・ I want to know the recommended route to Owakudani
Precautions
・ Allergic asthma
・ Bronchial disease, respiratory (lung) disease
・ Heart disease, cardiac pacemaker, etc.
What is Hakone Ropeway?
The "Hakone Ropeway" is a ropeway that spans Owakudani in Kanagawa Prefecture.
As you pass through places with active volcanic activity, you can enjoy extraordinary scenery.
This time, I would like to introduce the charm of Hakone Ropeway.
The number of passengers is the largest in the world on the ropeway
The Hakone Ropeway has a wind-resistant structure called "Funitel," which uses two ropes.
It has a high transportation capacity and can carry up to 1 people in one hour.
Coupled with the popularity of Hakone, in 2009 it was certified as the number one passenger in the world in the Guinness World Records gondola lift category.
In addition, it has the title of "Japan's longest ropeway", and you can enjoy a total of about 25 minutes of aerial walks.
Get on the ropeway
Let's get on the ropeway.
I got on from "Togendai Station" on the Lake Ashi side.
If I think about it now, I think I should have boarded from "Sounzan Station" on the other side. (The reason will be described later)
Beware of volcanic gas
People with respiratory illnesses cannot board because it passes over volcanic gas such as sulfur. (Attention: Official website）
If the concentration of volcanic gas increases, the ropeway may be suspended for safety.
When I went, I was also handing out paper towels for when the gas suddenly blew out.
Actually, it smells like sulfur in Japanese hot springs.
Highlights of Hakone Ropeway
An 18-seater gondola arrives every 45 seconds, so you don't have to wait too long.
There is no step at the entrance of the gondola, so even people in wheelchairs can ride it easily.
Pets such as dogs can also ride together if they are put in the gauge.
If it's sunny, you can see Mt. Fuji.
This scenery alone is worth the ride on the ropeway.
Arrive at Owakudani
From Togendai Station, you will arrive at Owakudani in about 16 minutes.
Owakudani is a place created by an eruption about 3000 years ago, and was formerly called "Great Hell".
When the Emperor Meiji and Empress came in 1876, the name was changed to "Owakudani" because of bad luck.
Volcanic gas is constantly erupting and smoke is rising here and there.
There are many active volcanoes in Japan, but I think Hakone is the only place where you can easily enjoy it.
What is the possibility of an eruption?
One thing to watch out for in an active volcano is the possibility of an eruption.
At Mt. Hakone, volcanic activity seems to have calmed down since the eruption alert level dropped to the lowest level of "2019" in October 10.
Just in case, please check the latest information on the Japan Meteorological Agency website before visiting.
Hakone eruption alert level: Japan Meteorological Agency
Owakudani's specialty gourmet lunch
There is a restaurant on the mountaintop where you can enjoy lunch and specialty gourmet food.
The famous "black egg"
What you should definitely try is Owakudani's specialty, "Kurotamago".
Eggs boiled in the hot springs here have a black shell due to a chemical reaction.
(The cause is that iron and sulfur react to form black iron sulfide)
Five pieces are sold for 5 yen, and there is also an eat-in. (Equipped with shell case)
It is said that eating one black egg here will extend its lifespan by 7 years.
It's too long ...
The appearance was really black.Be careful not to get burned because it is hot.
Eggs that have been carefully boiled in a hot spring are said to have 20% more sweetness than usual.
If you are asked for a taste impression, say "It's sweeter than a normal egg ...".
By the way, Kitty, who is rumored to have the lowest collaboration hurdle in the world, was still alive here.
Is there a genre that Kitty hasn't collaborated with?
Restaurant "Owakudani Station Cafeteria"
If you want to have a good meal, there is also a restaurant called "Owakudani Station Cafeteria".
The most popular is the curry with minced pork at the foot of Mt. Hakone.
Station cafeteria menu: Official website
Take a walk in Owakudani
We will take a walk around Owakudani.
Owakudani Enmei Jizoson
In Owakudani, there is a Jizo statue that is said to have been set up by Kobo Daishi (Kukai of the Shingon sect).
This Jizo is also based on the story that eating black eggs has the benefit of prolonging life and raising children and extending their lifespan.
It seems that warm water usually comes out of the spring, but I went there in December, so it was frozen.
By the way, it is not drinking water because it is water for cleaning hands.
Hakone Geo Museum
There is also the "Hakone Geo Museum", which explains the volcanoes of Hakone.
Anyway, let's enter.The entrance fee is 100 yen.
Geo Museum Usage Guide: Official Website
At the entrance, there is Hello Kitty again.
This time, it is a collaboration with Hakone's traditional craft, "parquet (a technique for making patterns by combining trees of different colors)".
On the contrary, I want to know the work that Kitty gives NG.
Inside the museum, you will find explanations about the history of Hakone and hot springs.
What is the recommended route?
The recommended route to Owakudani is "Souunzan Station"-> "Owakudani"-> "Togendai Station".
The reason is that when the ropeway is suspended, there are more tourist spots around Sounzan Station and less time is lost.
Even if the weather is mild, it may be suspended due to the influence of volcanic gas, so check the traffic conditions on the morning of the day.
Traffic conditions in Hakone(Convenient because you can see the traffic situation in Hakone all together)
How is it different from Komagatake Ropeway?
Confusingly, there are two ropeways in Hakone.
Introducing this time is the "Hakone Ropeway" that connects Togendai and Sounzan.
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Hakone Komagatake Ropeway | A scenic spot with a shrine at the summit (Kanagawa) ★★☆
I went to "Komagatake Ropeway" where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Hakone.
Mt. Fuji can be seen from the top, and there is also a shrine that shines in the blue sky.see next
↑ Introduction article of Komagatake Ropeway
The other is the "Hakone Komagatake Ropeway" that departs from Hakone-en.
Let's distinguish by the presence or absence of the name "Komagatake".
Staying time and congestion
It takes about 60 minutes to reach the summit of Owakudani.
The breakdown is 30 minutes for a walk + 15 minutes for black eggs + 15 minutes for Geo Museum.
There are no places that are crowded with walks, but you may line up a little on the ropeway for long vacations.
Business hours, fares, and great tickets
| Opening hours | 9:00 to 17:00 (varies depending on the season) | |
| Closing days | open every day of the year | |
| Fare | One-way adult 1550 yen, elementary school students and younger 780 yen | |
| Official Website | Business hours and fares(Please check the latest information) | |
You can use the "Hakone Freepass", which allows unlimited rides on transportation around Hakone, so be sure to use it when you go.
The price of the free pass depends on the place of departure, but it is about 6000 yen and is valid for 3 days.
Hakone Freepass: Official Website
Access
| Address | 250-0631 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 1251-1 | |
| Phone | 0460-84-8437 | |
| Number of parking spaces | Depends on the station | |
| Parking Fee | Paid only at Owakudani Station | |
| Official Website | traffic guide(Please check the latest information) | |
There is a parking lot, but it's a big deal, so let's go by ropeway.
Roads in Hakone are often crowded.
Map
Finally
Owakudani is one of the few places in Japan, a volcanic powerhouse, where you can feel that the earth is alive.
When you go to Hakone, be sure to visit.
The ropeway is on the route connecting tourist spots, so you should be able to incorporate it into your schedule without difficulty.