The pretty-as-a-picture fishing village

In unspoiled villages such as Ine, outside Kyoto, you can experience a way of life that has barely changed in hundreds of years. This picturesque coastal settlement is known for its unique traditional houses called funaya – ‘boat houses’ – which have a space for a fishing boat at water level and living quarters on the floor above. There are over 200 of them arranged around a small bay, and the effect is very striking. You can visit some of the funaya with a local guide and get a real idea of how people still live from fishing and farming the way they have for generations.

Guests often comment on how much they enjoyed exploring the village by electric bicycle and visiting the local market, as it allowed them to interact with the locals in a natural way. The short boat trip across the bay also goes down well – the panoramic views of the funaya from the sea are impressive, and you can really appreciate why it’s officially one of Japan’s most beautiful villages.