Ine Fishing Village

I’m really glad I included Ine Funaya in my Kyoto itinerary—it’s such a hidden gem. This place is nothing like the usual bustling Japan you often see online or in city tours. It’s peaceful, off the beaten path, and that’s exactly what makes it so charming. I joined a tour that brought us here, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. The traditional boat houses lining the coast are beautiful and unique, and the atmosphere is calm and serene. You get a glimpse of a slower, quieter life in Japan. The boat tour was the best part for me. We got to feed seagulls and even eagles while cruising around. It was a fun and unforgettable experience. My tip: If you can, spend more than just an hour here. Take your time. One hour isn’t enough to take it all in. Ideally, stay a night if you want to truly soak up the peaceful vibe and maybe see a beautiful sunset or early morning view.

A unique and picturesque side of Japan. The traditional boat houses lining the quiet bay are full of charm, each with their own character and history. It feels like stepping into a slower, more peaceful way of life. With good planning, a day trip here should be enough to explore and appreciate the calm beauty of the area. There is also a boat house that has been turned into a small museum, where you can enter for a modest fee to see what the inside of a funaya looks like. I regret not going in.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Hidden Gem by the Sea – Tranquility in Every Corner Visiting Ine Funaya was like stepping into a peaceful postcard. The calm waters, traditional wooden boathouses, and surrounding green hills created a serene and cinematic atmosphere. Walking along the waterfront, I felt completely at ease, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and slow pace of life. Locals were kind and welcoming, and it felt like time slowed down in this charming village. Perfect for those looking to escape the city and immerse themselves in authentic Japanese coastal culture. Highly recommend taking a boat tour to view the houses from the sea — it’s a unique perspective you won’t get anywhere else in Japan. A must-visit if you’re traveling through Kyoto!

Such a unique place to visit! We loved it! The boat houses dating back to the Edo period are so quaint and the whole places has a chill vibe. There are many places for some great travel pictures!

I took a a day tour package for Amanohashidate, Ine and Kayabuki no sato package from klook. It was the best expense that i purchased. The tour guide speaks good english and entertaining. Since the time were limited i skip the seagull feeding boat ride instead i walk along the road find the gap of each houses that i can enter and enjoy the sea. The architecture of each individual houses really pretty so i was so into taking pictures of each houses

A quaint little fishing village with a first female owner of a sake shop in Japan. If one is visiting Kyoto and has done the bamboo forest walk and golden temple visit, this may be a good alternative the next time one is here. We had lunch at the visitor centre building plus got ourselves a bottle of sake…

Quiet and beautiful, bus timetable is around 1 hour. We spent around 3 hours in this little village. The opening time of the local store is quite flexible, some of the shop won’t be opened during the visit.

A very beautiful place, this village offer a stunning scenery, perfect place to relaxing your body and mind and also you can take a lot of beautiful photos. You could go here by bus from Amanohashidate station for around 50 minutes.

Put some sunblock on and get on the top deck of the yacht, leaves seats for the elders to stay underneath. I didn't expect feeding the seagulls would be that involving. They even turned their heads and look into your camera. The tour yacht will bring you close enough to see the floating houses. The property owners have boats in their garages. Like little Venice. Wear shoes with tracks if it's snowing. Pick up a bag of shrimp crackers and leave $300 yen. I have no idea seagulls and eagles like junk food as much as I do. Flow the snack up into the sky and watch them catch them all. Don't hold the cracker in your hand, for you may get pitched by the beakers. Lol.