Ine

Ine (�ɍ�) is a town located around the 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 aspect of Ine are its funaya. Literally meaning "boat houses", these traditional waterfront buildings contain garages for boats on their first floors and residential space on the upper floors. Today there over 200 funaya remaining along the bay. Some of them now serve as lodgings where visitors can stay the night, but due to their popularity it is often difficult to make reservations (see external links for a list of lodgings).

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

The town itself is a normal town inhabited by working people, and most houses are personal residences. It means that considerate behavior is expected from visiting tourists, but also that there is not an incredible amount to do in the town, because most houses are closed to the public and there are only a few shops and restaurants. The largest concentration of amenities is found at the Michinoeki Funaya no Sato Ine roadside station on a hill above the town with a large parking lot, a tourist information office, an observation deck, restaurants and shops.