Ine which is famous for its Funaya is visited by many tourists because of its beautiful scenery. However, the highlight is not only the Funaya. There are many attractions other than Funaya, so let’s go around sightseeing spots and enjoy Ine to the fullest. This time, we will introduce recommended spots for sightseeing in Ine.
Table of contents
First, stop by Ine Town Information Center
The Ine Town Information Center is across from Ineura Park, which is located in the Ine Funaya District. Guide maps and various pamphlets are available here, and the latest tourist information is posted on digital signage, so we recommend stopping by at the beginning of your trip. If you have any questions, please ask the tourist association staff for guidance.
The Ine Town Information Center also rents out “Ine Town Community Cycles” (free bicycles). There are 10 bicycles for adults and 3 bicycles for children. Even though the number is limited, but the fare is free. If you want to explore Ine Town by bicycle, how about renting one?
How to use
- Fill out the application form provided at the The Ine Town Information Center
- Submit the application form to the Information counter
- Pay 2,000 yen per pair as a guarantee fee at the time of reception
Important notice to use
Due to the limited number of bicycles, it may not be possible to rent them. In addition, the rental/return is only available at The Ine Town Information Center so please return it to the Information Center when you have finished using it. Please tell the facility name at the counter when using it for transportation to the accommodation facility.
There is no time limit, but please return it by 16:45. The usage fee is free, but a guarantee fee of 2,000 yen per pair is required first. The guarantee fee will be refunded when the bicycle is returned.
- Address：Ine, Yoza District, Kyoto 626-0423
- TEL：0772-32-0277
- Business hours：9:00〜17:00
- Day Off：New year holidays
- Access：1 minute walk from the bus stop “Ine”
Recommended spots for sightseeing in Ine
Here are 7 recommended spots for sightseeing in Ine. If you are considering traveling to Ine, please refer to it when planning your trip.
Funaya of Ine
Funaya is a building structure with a boat garage on the first floor and a living space on the second floor. In 2005, it was selected as an Important Preservation District of Historic Buildings as the first fishing village in Japan.
First, let’s walk around Funaya-gun. Ineura Park, which faces the sea, offers a close-up view of Funaya-gun. There is a parking lot in Ineura Park, although it is charged, so it is convenient for people with their own cars.
Funaya in Ine is a place for locals to live and privately owned, so you cannot enter without permission. If you want to see the inside of Funaya, you should take an internal tour. The tours sponsored by the Ine Town Tourism Association includes Tour of 3 Funaya (Funaya Interior Tours), Experiencing the whole Ine with a Funaya guide, etc.
Cruise around Ine Bay on a ferry
In Ine, we also recommend taking a ferry to explore Ine Bay. The atmospheric scenery of Funaya seen from the sea is different from land. Seagulls also gather on the ferry, so feeding them is one of the pleasures. Seagull food is sold at the Hiji Station shop on the ferry, so you can enjoy feeding the seagulls if you buy it in advance. Hiji Station sells Ine pudding that can only be purchased here, so it is recommended as a souvenir.
- Price：Adult 1,000Yen / Children 500Yen
- Operating hours：9:00〜16:30（Departs at a minute and 30 minutes every hour）
- Tour time：About 25 mins
- Official HP：https://www.inewan.com
Urashima Shrine (Ura Shrine)
Urashima Taro is familiar to Japanese people through folk tales and nursery rhymes. Urashima Shrine, about 10 km north of Ine no Funaya, is the birthplace of Urashima Taro. The legend of Urashima has been handed down throughout Japan, but the Urashima legend of Ine Town is recorded in the Fudoki, Nihonshoki, and Manyoshu, especially in the “Tango no Kuni Fudoki” (713-715) written in the Wado era. is considered to be the oldest Urashima folklore.
In the treasure reference room, there are exhibits such as the “Tortoiseshell comb comb box” that Urashima Taro is said to have brought back, and the “Urashima Myojin Engi Emaki” (hanging scroll style), which depicts the Urashima legend. Urashima Myojin Engi depicts a story in which a turtle caught by Urashima Taro turns into a princess and leads to Ryugu Castle. Reservations are required for this event, so please apply if you are interested.
[Urashima Shrine/Treasure Museum]
- Address：141 Honjohama, Ine-cho, Yosa-gun, Kyoto Prefecture
- Operating hours：9:00〜16:30
- Price：700 Yen（Reservation required）
- Inquiry：0772-33-0721
- Access：Take the Tankai Bus from Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyatoyo Line for 75 minutes and get off at Urashima Jinja-mae, then walk for 1 minute.
- Official HP：https://urano-kamuyashiro.amebaownd.com
Niizaki Shrine（にいざきじんじゃ）
Niizaki Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Jofuku. Jofuku is a person who came to Japan 2200 years ago on the orders of the First Emperor of Qin in search of a medicinal herb for immortality. There are legends about Jofuku all over Japan, but it is said that he settled in Araizaki, Ine-cho, and taught medicine, astronomy, fortune-telling, fishing, and agriculture. The villagers adored Jofuku, and after his death they enshrined him at Niizaki Shrine as a local deity. It is worshiped as the god of maritime safety and fishing.
- Address：8-3 Ine, Yoza District, Kyoto 626-0421
- Inquiry：0772-32-0277
- Access：Take the Tankai Bus from Amanohashidate Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyatoyo Line for 65 minutes and get off at Oharaguchi, then walk for 20 minutes.
Rest Stop ‘Funaya-no-Sato Ine’
The rest stop, ‘Funaya-no-Sato Ine’ is located in a hilly area, and is in a great location with a view of the townscape of Funaya. There is also a monument for the filming location of the NHK TV series “Eenyobo” set in Ine.
At the restaurants in the roadside station, you can enjoy seasonal fish dishes landed at Ine fishing port. While gazing at the scenery of the boathouses, how about enjoying fresh fish dishes unique to a fishing port town? There is also a souvenir shop, so please stop by while driving.
- Address：459 Kamejima, Ine-cho, Yosa-gun, Kyoto Prefecture
- TEL：0772-32-0680
- Operating Hours：9:00～17:00
- Closing Date：Every Tuesday
- Official HP：https://www.ine-aburaya.com/michi-no-eki/
Mukai Brewery
Founded in 1754, Mukai Brewery is a locally loved sake brewery. Since 1999, Ms. Kuniko Mukai, who studied brewing at university and became the first female toji in Kyoto Prefecture, has been working as a toji. It seems that there were some difficulties after taking office, but at the G20 Osaka Summit held in 2019, Mukai Brewery’s “Ine Manka” was used for lunch, and it suddenly became famous. “Ine Manka” is a red sake made from ancient red rice, and is characterized by its sweet and sour fruit wine-like flavor. It is a popular spot that many tourists visit, so if you like sake, please stop by.
- Address：67 Hirata, Ine-cho, Yosa-gun, Kyoto Prefecture
- TEL：0772-32-0003
- Operating Hours：9:00〜18:00
- Closing Date：Every Monday
- Access：5 minutes on foot from the bus stop “Ine”
- Official HP：http://kuramoto-mukai.jp/index.html
Funaya Biyori
Funaya Biyori is a tourist exchange facility located near the Ine fishing port. There is INE CAFE, where you can enjoy coffee and cakes while gazing out at the scenery of Ine Bay, and Umimiya, a sushi restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood from Ine Bay. In addition, there is also a festival boat dock used for the Ine Festival, which can be visited freely. It is a spot where you can spend a relaxing time while looking at the sea, so please stop by for a meal or a break during your walk.
- Address：593-1 Hirata, Ine-cho, Yosa-gun, Kyoto Prefecture
- TEL：0772-32-1700
- Closing Date：Every Wednesday
- Official HP：http://funayabiyori.com
Summary
We introduced 7 recommended spots for sightseeing in Ine. There are many things to see in Ine, such as beautiful locations, freshly caught fish dishes, and interesting spots where you can feel the history. The view of the calm sea and the boathouses will surely soothe your soul. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and refresh yourself, why not visit Ine?
