Ine

What to know

Ine (伊根) is a town located around Ine Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture, about 15 kilometers north of Amanohashidate. This working town has a long and rich history as a fishing village and is regarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Japan.

The unique feature of Ine is its funaya. Literally meaning "boat houses," these traditional waterfront buildings have garages for boats on the ground floor and living quarters upstairs. Today, over 200 funaya remain along the bay. Some now serve as lodgings where visitors can stay overnight, but due to their popularity, reservations are often hard to secure (see external links for a list of accommodations).

The best way to see Ine and its funaya houses is from the sea. Two types of boat tours are available. Large sightseeing boats take passengers on a 25-minute loop around the bay, while smaller sea taxis operated by local fishermen offer a more personalized experience. Advance reservations are not required for either.

The town itself is a normal working town, and most houses are private residences. This means visitors are expected to behave considerately, but also that there isn't an overwhelming amount to do, as most houses are closed to the public and there are only a few shops and restaurants. The largest concentration of amenities is at the Michinoeki Funaya no Sato Ine roadside station on a hill above the town, which has a large parking lot, a tourist information office, an observation deck, restaurants, and shops.

Buses run between Amanohashidate Station and Ine about once per hour. The one-way trip takes one hour and costs 400 yen. Buses can also be boarded at the opposite side of the sandbar at Motoise Kono Shrine or at the lower cable car station to Kasamatsu Park, from where the one-way ride takes only 30 minutes and costs 200 yen.

In Ine, all buses first stop at the cruise ship pier (Inewan Meguri Hide) before serving the Ine bus stop in the town center and the Michinoeki Funaya no Sato Ine roadside station. Afterward, some buses continue further up the Tango Peninsula, while the rest terminate at the Ine Post Office (Ine Yūbinkyoku-mae).