Osaka Day Trip: Exploring "Kyoto by the Sea" – Ine and Amanohashidate

How to Get to Ine from Osaka

Reaching Ine requires a bit of planning, with options including train or direct bus routes. For those with a larger budget, renting a car for a group trip is ideal, with the journey taking around three and a half hours. From Osaka, take the JR San’in Main Line to Fukuchiyama Station, then transfer to the Kyoto Tango Railway to Amanohashidate Station, followed by the Tango Sea Bus to Ine. You can also catch a direct bus from Kyoto to Amanohashidate and then transfer to the Tango Sea Bus. While the area lacks direct public transportation, Ine still attracts many visitors every year, drawn by its unmatched scenery.

Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s top three scenic views.

Amanohashidate: One of Japan’s Three Scenic Views

A stop at Amanohashidate is a must on the way to Ine. Ranked alongside Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s top three scenic views. This 3.6-kilometer sandbar stretches across the bay like a bridge to the heavens. Thanks to its proximity to Miyazu Port, Amanohashidate boasts an abundance of fresh, affordable seafood—don’t miss the chance to enjoy a “Kaisendon” (a seafood bowl).

To truly appreciate the beauty of Amanohashidate, ride the cable car up to Kasamatsu Park, where the view from the observation deck is breathtaking. Visitors often lean over and view the scenery upside down through their legs, creating the illusion of a dragon flying across the sky. Nearby, the Chionji Temple houses the deity Monju Bosatsu, known for granting wisdom, making it a popular destination for students praying for academic success.

Visitors often lean over and view the scenery upside down through their legs, creating the illusion of a dragon flying across the sky.

Amanohashidate Address: Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture

Ine Sightseeing: Ine Bay Cruise

After Amanohashidate, the next stop is Ine! The highlight of Ine is its famous boathouses (Funaya), a 5-kilometer stretch of nearly 230 houses built along the coastline. These unique two-story structures serve as boat docks on the first floor and residential homes on the second, making Ine a charming fishing village. To fully experience the beauty of the area, hop on a sightseeing boat at the Ine Bay cruise dock.

The highlight of Ine is its famous boathouses (Funaya), a 5-kilometer stretch of nearly 230 houses built along the coastline. Ine Bay Sightseeing Cruise Seagulls accompany the boat, giving guests the chance to feed them with shrimp crackers—a fun activity for all ages! As the boat circles the bay, a guide will provide commentary on the area’s history and attractions.

From the "Ine Bay Cruise and Sunrise" bus stop, you can purchase tickets for 1,000 yen and embark on a 30-minute cruise around the bay. As the boat circles the bay, a guide will provide commentary on the area’s history and attractions, while seagulls accompany the boat, giving guests the chance to feed them with shrimp crackers—a fun activity for all ages! After the cruise, be sure to try the special milk pudding available at the dock’s snack shop, which comes in glass bottles printed with the iconic Ine boathouses, making for a sweet and memorable keepsake.

Ine Bay Sightseeing Cruise

Address: 11 Hi, Ine-cho, Yosa-gun, Kyoto Prefecture