If you’re keen on exploring one of Japan’s lesser-known getaways, look no further than Ine, a quaint fishing village in northern Kyoto Prefecture. Nestled along the Ine Bay between the mountains and the sea, Ine was once part of the ancient trade route between China and Kyoto.
On a visit to Ine, you’ll find locals heading out for a day’s work upon the lapping waves, casting their lines and fishing nets. The year-round stillness of the sea makes Ine’s distinguishing characteristic possible: funaya, wooden boat houses that sit directly on the water.
Enjoy Ine Like a Local
It’s believed that funaya were first constructed around 400 years ago, at the beginning of the Edo Period. The wooden boats would rot if left in the water, so fishers used the first thatched-roof funaya as garages where they would pull the boats and nets up into storage.
The funaya aren’t merely relics of the past. Some are still used to store boats, yet they are now used both as docks and as homes for the local fishers. Luckily for visitors, some have been converted into minshuku (guest houses) and can be booked online for an unforgettable stay.
Explore the Coastline
Explore the coastline as part of a kayaking tour, where you may cruise beside mysterious caves and atop rocky reefs. The tours begin at Ine’s Honjohama beach, believed to be the location for the Japanese fairy tale “Taro Urashima.”
Tandem kayaks cost ¥6,000 for kids 11 years old and under, and ¥ 7,000 for those 12 and older. The tours booked through the Tourism Center last for two hours while other companies offer half-day or full-day excursions. Kayaking tours run from late April until the end of September.
Take a Sea Taxi or Sightseeing Ferry
Catch a ride with a local fisher or hop aboard the Ine Bay Sightseeing Ferry, which holds around 150 passengers. Both tours last around 30 minutes.
Sea taxis are the most personal experience, as they are operated by the local fishers who call the funaya home. A prior reservation isn’t needed. Once in Ine, tours can be accessed at the Tourism Center.
