Having visited Japan in 2016, I was wondering if there are any day tours that can be taken from Kyoto or Osaka for my trip to Japan in 2025. I really want to go to somewhere scenic, peaceful, and far from the hustle and bustle of the city. That’s when I came across Amanohashidate & Ine, two stunning coastal gems that look perfect for a refreshing day trip.
If you’re someone who enjoys slow travel, beautiful views, and small local towns, this day trip might be exactly what you need.
In this post, I will be sharing everything you need to know to plan your trip to Amanohashidate and Ine Funaya based on my own experience. Let’s dive in!
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Where are Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya?
If you’re looking for a quiet escape from the busy cities of Kyoto or Osaka, Amanohashidate & Ine are perfect spots to visit.
They’re both in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, but they feel like a totally different world. Instead of crowds and noise, you’ll find peaceful seaside towns, pine trees, and beautiful ocean views.
Amanohashidate is a long strip of land that stretches across Miyazu Bay. It’s so beautiful, people say it’s one of the top three views in all of Japan.
Not too far from there is Ine, a small fishing village that feels like a scene from an old movie.
What makes it special are the funaya—traditional wooden houses built right on the water, with boats stored underneath the living area.
Getting to Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya
Taking a day trip tour from Osaka or Kyoto is one of the easiest ways to visit Amanohashidate & Ine.
You don’t have to worry about figuring out train schedules, bus times, or driving on narrow roads. The tour handles everything for you, so you can just relax and enjoy the day.
It also saves time. Some places, like Ine, are harder to reach on your own, and public transportation doesn’t run very often. With a tour, you can visit both Amanohashidate & Ine in one day without rushing or getting lost.
Many tours include a friendly guide who explains the places you visit and helps if there’s a language barrier.
We took this Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya day tour when we visited, and it made everything so easy. We didn’t have to worry about anything—we just showed up, enjoyed the views, tasted their delicious pudding and even got to ride a boat in Ine.
Our tour guide, who wishes to be called Cool Guide Steven, was very fun to be around. He explained things in English, Mandarin and Japanese as well, not to forget the tricks-and-tips, and plus, he is a good photographer too.
If you’re not confident with the train system or just want a relaxing trip, I definitely recommend going with this tour!
Discovering Ine Funaya: Traditional Boat House Village
As we were based in Kyoto, we were picked up from Kyoto Station at 9 am. If you wish to join the tour from Osaka, you may also do so, as the bus actually departs from Osaka and stops by in Kyoto before driving to Ine.
The drive took around 2 hours but with the beautiful scenery along the way, 2 hours felt so short.
Ine Bay Cruise
We arrived at Ine sightseeing ferry terminal at around 11:10 am. The terminal consists of a small souvenir shop (and the famous Ine pudding!) with toilets.
Luckily, the wait wasn’t long. I love the fact that each tour group gets a boat to themselves. The cruise costs around 1,200 yen per adult (kids are half price) and takes us on a 25-minute ride around Ine Bay.
The boat cruise itself was smooth and relaxing, but what made it extra fun was the wild seagulls trailing behind us.
We tossed some prawn crackers into the air (you can buy a pack at the terminal for 100 yen), and immediately, they swooped in—graceful but totally chaotic. Our guide Steven wasn’t kidding when he said, “Seagulls are crazy!”
Still, watching them glide over the calm waters with the scenic Funaya boathouses in the background was such a surreal moment. It felt peaceful, a little wild, and oddly beautiful.
So, what exactly is a boathouse?
In Ine, you’ll see around 230 of them lined up along the bay. These traditional wooden houses, known as Funaya, were originally built to protect fishing boats from wind, rain, and even insects. Most of them are right along the water’s edge, giving Ine its signature waterfront charm.
Back in the day, boats were made of wood and needed to be dried after use. So, the first floor of the boathouse was designed to store the boat, while the second floor was used for keeping nets and fishing tools. The structure was simpler than today’s—wooden planks and not too sturdy, but it did the job.
Nowadays, boats are made of FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic) and are generally smaller, so you’ll often see them moored right in front of the boathouses. Some locals still use the first floor for work-related tools or small boats, while the upper floor may be used to prep fish or store clothes and other daily essentials.
People often ask: do the locals actually live in these boathouses? The answer is—mostly no. While some might stay there occasionally, families usually live in a separate home just across the street, known as the main house. The boathouse is more like their workspace or a functional extension of their home.
Funaya Observatory Deck
After the boat tour, we made a quick stop at the Funaya Observatory Deck—a small viewpoint just a short drive uphill from the bay. It’s not a big place, but the view from up there is absolutely worth it.
From the deck, you get a wide panoramic look over the bay, with the neat rows of funaya (boathouses) hugging the shoreline, boats dotting the calm water, and the lush green hills in the background. It’s the kind of view that really lets you appreciate the quiet charm of Ine.
There’s a small wooden platform where you can take photos, and on a clear day, the light is perfect for capturing that postcard-like shot of Ine.
We didn’t stay too long, but it’s definitely a nice add-on if you want a different angle of the town—especially if you’ve only seen it from sea level.
Ine Café
Not far from the sightseeing area is Ine Café, a cosy little spot right by the water. It’s quite popular, so you might have to wait for a seat, especially if you want the terrace by the window. But trust me, it’s worth it.
The café has a calm, relaxing vibe—minimalist wooden interiors, soft music, and best of all, a direct view of the bay. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and honestly, I could’ve sat there for hours just watching the boats pass by.
Other Things to do in Ine
1. Step inside a boathouse (Funaya)
You’ve probably seen plenty of photos of the funaya, but did you know you can actually go inside one?
Some local residents open up their boathouses to visitors (with prior booking), so you can see how the first floor is used to store small boats and fishing gear, while the upper floor was once used for drying nets or even resting.
It’s a simple visit, but a lovely way to understand how daily life revolves around the sea.
Entrance fee: around 300–500 yen per person.
2. Visit Kajiya, the village blacksmith
One of the most unique things to do in Ine is to visit Kajiya, a traditional blacksmith’s workshop. The tools and fishing gear you see around the village? Many of them are still handmade here.
It’s such a rare sight these days, and watching the blacksmith at work really gives you a new respect for the craft. Visits usually need to be arranged in advance through the tourism office.
Fee: around 1,000–1,500 yen per person.
3. Drop by Mukai Sake Brewery
If you enjoy sake, Mukai Brewery is worth a quick stop. It’s a small family-run brewery with a long history, and interestingly, the current master brewer is a woman—quite rare in Japan.
They offer tastings and sell a variety of unique sake you can bring home.
Tasting: free or around 500 yen depending on the option.
4. Rent a bicycle or e-bike
The village is small and peaceful—perfect for cycling. You can rent a regular bike or an e-bike near the ferry terminal and enjoy a quiet ride along the bay.
It’s such a lovely way to take in the views at your own pace.
Rental: from 500 to 1,000 yen per hour.
5. Walk along the bay
Even if you don’t have much time, just walking along the waterfront is something special. The breeze, the boats, the little details of everyday life—it’s simple, but one of my favourite parts of visiting Ine.
6. Relax at Ineura Park
This small park near the bay is nothing fancy, but it’s a nice place to sit down and take a breather. Great for a quick snack break or just to enjoy the view.
7. Try the local seafood
There are a few small eateries in the village serving fresh seafood—grilled fish, sashimi, and donburi (rice bowls).
If you have time to sit down for a meal, it’s worth it.
Exploring Amanohashidate: Japan’s “Bridge to Heaven”
Starting from Ine, it’s about a 25-minute drive to Amanohashidate. The road follows the coast, so you’ll get some lovely sea views along the way. It’s an easy hop between the two, which is why they make such a great pair for a day trip.
Amanohashidate isn’t just stunning—it comes with an epic myth. Legend says the god Izanagi built a ladder from heaven to earth, but it fell and landed across Miyazu Bay. That became the sandbar we see today, and its name literally means “bridge to heaven.”
Kasamatsu Park
The real fun? At Kasamatsu Park, if you bend over and look at the view upside down between your legs, it looks like the sandbar is floating in the sky—exactly like a bridge to the heavens. This trick, called matanozoki, has been a local rite for centuries.
To reach that “bridge to heaven” viewpoint, take a cable car or chairlift from the base station. A round-trip ticket is ¥1000 for adults, ¥500 for kids. At the top, there’s a small park with viewing platforms, tons of fun activities to do, souvenir shops, and little snack stalls.
I even tried the pudding, it was so good! Creamy, smooth, with sweet caramel at the bottom. The little glass jars are super cute! A sweet treat that’s perfect after all the walking and sightseeing.
Amanohashidate Sandbar
After enjoying the view from Kasamatsu Park, we headed down and walked across the sandbar—and honestly, it was one of the most relaxing parts of the day.
Surrounded by pine trees with the sea on both sides, it felt calm and peaceful. I saw people biking, families having picnics, and even someone just lying on the grass enjoying the breeze.
The sandbar stretches about 3.3 to 3.6 km, and walking from one end to the other takes around 45 to 60 minutes. If you’d rather take it easy, bikes are available for rent and only take about 15 to 20 minutes to cross. There are benches and shady spots along the way, perfect for resting or snapping a few photos.
Other Things to do in Amanohashidate
If you have a bit more time, Amanohashidate has more to offer than just pretty views! Here are a few other things worth checking out:
1. Rent a bike and cycle the sandbar
It’s a fun and breezy way to cross from one side to the other, especially on a sunny day. Most rental shops are near the train station and ferry port.
2. Visit Chion-ji Temple
Right near the southern end of the sandbar, this historic temple is known for its giant pine tree and cute little omikuji (fortune slips) shaped like folding fans.
3. Take a sightseeing boat cruise
You can hop on a short cruise that sails around Miyazu Bay—great for relaxing and seeing the sandbar from the water. Sometimes you’ll even spot seagulls flying alongside the boat.
4. Soak your feet at a free foot bath
There’s a free ashiyu (foot bath) right outside Amanohashidate Station. Perfect for relaxing your legs after all that walking.
5. Ride a ferry between both ends of the sandbar
If you’re tired from walking or biking, there’s a small boat that takes you from one end to the other—it’s a fun little shortcut.
6. Visit Motoise Kono Shrine
Located at the northern end of the sandbar, this ancient shrine is said to be a predecessor to the famous Ise Grand Shrine. It’s quiet and surrounded by trees.
7. Try local seafood or snacks
Don’t miss the grilled squid, soft-serve ice cream, or those creamy local puddings sold in glass jars!
Final Thoughts
Though I wish I’d spent more time in Amanohashidate & Ine, I still feel happy to be able to visit these two places using this Amanohashidate & Ine Day Trip Tour.
They were honestly some of the highlights of my trip—off-the-beaten-path, peaceful, and full of charm.
We only spent about two hours in Ine, and honestly, it didn’t feel like enough—especially if you enjoy slow, meaningful travel. Between the boat ride, the observatory deck, a cosy café stop, and just walking along the peaceful waterfront, time flew by before we even realised it.
The same goes for Amanohashidate. I thought three hours would be plenty, but it barely scratched the surface.
Between the ropeway ride, taking in the view from Kasamatsu Park, walking the sandbar, and just sitting by the water, I found myself wishing for more time. It’s such a calm and beautiful place—you don’t want to rush it.
If I had more time in Japan, I’d seriously consider staying a night in both spots. Waking up to the quiet bay in Ine, or watching the morning mist lift over Amanohashidate’s pine-covered sandbar sounds like a dream. Hopefully next time, I’ll have the chance to stay longer and just take it all in.
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