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  • About Ine-Cho

Ine, the Town of Funaya

The sea is right under the house! Approximately 230 funaya stand side-by-side as if to line the coast of the Ine Bay. Among all of the towns in Japan, Ine is the closest to the sea!! Funaya are very rare buildings that have a boat shed on the bottom level on the water with a residence on the level above it. Ine's rows of funaya contain approximately 230 of these buildings. *It has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.

[Area and Dimensions] Roughly 310.2ha　Roughly 2,650m from east to west　Roughly 1,700m from north to south Ineura, which faces Wakasa Bay, is a quiet inlet that opens up to the south, which is rare along the Japanese coast of the Sea of Japan, and is surrounded by mountains to the east, west, and north. Ao-shima Island, with its lush vegetation, is located right near the middle of where Ine Bay and the Sea of Japan join. It is like a breakwater that has been formed naturally, separating the entrance to Ine Bay into two. Together with its surrounding environment, which includes Ine Bay, Ao-shima Island, and the nearby woodlands to help breed fish, the townscape of Ineura that is formed of funaya and other traditional Japanese buildings that were built between the late Edo period and the early Showa era brings unique historical scenes to the modern day.

A Historic Fishing Town

Ine Bay was once an incredibly rich fishing ground, blessed with abundant catches of yellowtail and even whales during the Edo and Taisho periods. It is said that the prosperity of Ine's fishermen earned them the nicknames hakama ryoshi (fishermen in formal wear) and tonosama ryoshi (lord-like fishermen). Today, due to larger boats and fishing reforms, the main fishing activities—such as set-net, line, and gill-net fishing—take place outside the bay. The calm inner bay is now primarily used for aquaculture, cultivating fish and rock oysters.

In the past, Ine Bay was bustling with yellowtail fishing. Until the early Taisho period, the town's fishermen would even work together to hunt whales that wandered into the bay.
During that era, most residents made their living from fishing. The iconic Funaya (boathouses) are believed to have existed since the mid-Edo period, serving as essential garages to protect their precious wooden boats. Back then, boats were small and had no engines, so they had to be pulled into the Funaya every day to prevent deterioration from the sea.
The Funaya are built right at the water's edge. The first floor serves as a boat garage, while the second floor was traditionally used for storing fishing gear. The pillars on the first floor are made from chinquapin wood, which is highly resistant to water, while the beams on the second floor are crafted from resilient local pine.
Originally, the Funaya had thatched roofs. They evolved into the two-story, tiled-roof structures we see today from the early Showa period, reflecting changes in lifestyle and the increasing size of boats. Even now, the Funaya remain indispensable to the people of Ine. They are used for boat storage, gear maintenance, and as residences on the second floor, having been carefully passed down through generations.
The Ine Funaya district was the first fishing village in Japan to be designated as a "National Preservation District for Groups of Important Historic Buildings."

Fresh, Local Ingredients from Ine

As a fishing town, Ine boasts a catch of fresh, seasonal seafood all year round. The winter Ine Buri (yellowtail) and early summer rock oysters are truly exceptional local delicacies. Beyond the sea, the rich nature of Ine also provides an abundance of appealing ingredients, including Tango Koshihikari rice and Kyo-yasai (traditional Kyoto vegetables). We invite you to savor the local cuisine of Ine.
*Please note: Our inn provides accommodation only and does not serve meals.

Find Restaurants in Ine Town > To the Ine Town Tourism Association's Restaurant Guide

Sightseeing in Ine

While Ine may not have large, purpose-built tourist attractions, the town is filled with countless scenic spots and points of interest. The sight of the historic Funaya and the daily life of the people in this fishing village offer travelers wonderful encounters and deeply moving experiences.

For more on sightseeing, attractions, and activities in Ine: > To the Official Website of the Ine Town Tourism Association

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