Ine's funaya boathouses are designated as a Group of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government.
The unique construction of funaya was designed to allow fishermen to pull their boats directly into the shelter of their homes.
The local bay is naturally protected from rough seas by Aoshima Island, which sits at the mouth of the inlet.
Some funaya have been repurposed into modern cafes and guesthouses while maintaining their original exterior appearance.
The black-tailed gulls following the boat are known locally as 'umineko' and are highly active during the cruise.
Ine Bay Sightseeing Boat offers a 25-minute maritime tour of Ine-cho, a coastal village famous for its traditional 'funaya' boathouses. These two-story wooden structures are built directly over the water, with the ground floor serving as a boat garage and the upper level as living quarters. The cruise provides a vantage point from the water to view the architectural integration of the approximately 230 surviving funaya. During the transit, visitors can feed black-tailed gulls and kites that frequently follow the vessel. The boat departs from a pier located within the bay, operating year-round with occasional service interruptions due to adverse sea conditions.
The top deck of the boat when passing between the closest clusters of traditional boathouses.
Bring a small packet of 'ebisen' shrimp crackers, which are often sold at the pier, to feed the birds.
Sit on the top observation deck of the boat for the best unobstructed views of the boathouses.
Check the official website or call ahead if the weather is windy, as boat operations are sensitive to sea conditions.
Do not attempt to enter private funaya or docks, as many are still active residences or working boat storage areas.
Operations are suspended during severe weather or high winds.
