What to Do in Ine

The laid-back fishing town of Ine is one of Kyoto’s best kept holiday secrets and home to an abundance of activities. Whether you’re a history buff wanting to explore a world of untouched temples and shrines, a seafood fanatic hungry to eat your way through Kyoto or a weary traveler in the need for some serious rest and relaxation, Ine has you sorted. Located 15 kilometers north of Amanohashidate, the humble bayside city was established and still today continues to be a fishing town, populated with hardworking locals. Thanks to its untouched beauty, the town has been branded as one of the most beautiful villages in Japan.

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Stay at a funaya

One of the most visually striking elements of Ine is its collection of ‘funaya’ aka ‘boat houses’ which are still used to this day. Incredibly unique this classically humble yet strangely beautiful houses feature a water garage which many fishing families use to park their boats, the same way suburban families in other countries use garages for their cars. The double story buildings have their boats on the first floors and residential space located on the upper floors. To really understand how the people of Ine live, it’s worth considering staying a night or two at one of the houses that have been refurbished to accommodate visitors.

Travel Guide

03

Boat tours

Once you’ve stayed the night in a funaya, it’s time to get a different perspective on this unique buildings by taking one of the area’s many popular boat tours. The town offers two main types of boat tours, the first one being a large sightseeing boat, which takes passengers on a 25-minute loop around the stunning bay. Guests don’t need a to make a reservation for this tour, so if you’re in town for a last minute visit, this is an excellent option. The other option is to catch one of smaller sea taxis that are operated by local fishermen. These more personalized tours do require bookings, so if you’re in the area for a few nights, it’s an experience worth considering.

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Cycling

Given that the town Ine isn’t too big, exploring the area by bike is an excellent option, and one you’re probably used to after visiting Kyoto. By bike you can explore the wider Ine area including Funaya no Sato Park, which is home to a tourist information office, an observation deck which offers incredible seaside views, and a number of restaurants and shops.

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Local seafood

Given that Ine is a fishing village it goes without saying that the town is overflowing with some of the best seafood restaurants you’ll be able to find in all of Japan. So get hungry. From traditional style dishes to more contemporary offerings, there’s something for all taste-buds and the best way to discover it is by hitting the streets and visiting the local establishments. Or even better go fishing and catch dinner yourself! You can sign up for the Ine fishing experience at the Ine Tourism Association office.

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Onsen

After cycling all day, climbing the observation tower and eating your way through the town, it’s time to unwind with a relaxing soak in one of Ine’s many public onsen baths. Many of the town’s guesthouses have public baths, including Miyabi guesthouse which hosts a hot spring on the second floor offering visitors incredible views of the town below.

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