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The Kurotamago believed to add years to your life

By on September 9, 2018

The locals claim that seven years are added to your lifespan for each kurotamago you eat – with some saying eating more than two is not recommended.

The famous “kurotamago” or black spa chicken egg as the name suggests, is found only in sulphur-rich  steam vents and hot springs in Owakudani, the 1,044-meter or 3,425 feet-high valley around a crater formed after  Mount Hakone’s major eruption some 3,000 years ago.

When the eggs are boiled for about 60 minutes at around 80 degrees, the reaction between iron and hydrogen sulfide causes the eggshells to turn black.  The blackened eggs are then steamed for another 15 minutes at about 100 degrees to complete the cooking process. Kurotamagos can only be purchased five at a time (¥500) so you can imagine the queuing quandary on weekends to meet its hourly demand.

Translation fail.    The sign simply means: Offer good while supplies last.

 

While people like going to Owakudani for the highly prized eggs, there are certain health hazards posed by active geysers to people with asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, people with pacemakers, and pregnant women.

As of 2016, the authorities have limited visitors’ access to the steaming vents.

 

 

Read also:  Fun things to do in Hakone

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