Ine: The Floating Village That Stole My Heart

There are places in Japan that whisper. Then there’s Ine, a little fishing village that sings—softly, over the water, with the rhythm of the waves and the creak of wooden boathouses. Tucked along the Tango Peninsula, just an hour from Amanohashidate, Ine is the kind of place that makes you pause mid-itinerary and think, “How have I never heard of this before?” I arrived just before dusk, when the sea turns silver and the sky can’t decide between blue and gold. From the first glimpse of the iconic funaya—those magical boat houses built right over the water—I knew I was somewhere special. Each house was a two-story wonder: boat garage below, cozy home above. It’s as if Venice and rural Japan had a beautiful, humble love child. And here’s the thrill: I got to sail past them. I boarded a tiny local boat, the sea gently rocking as we glided past rows of funaya, close enough to see fishing nets drying and cats lounging like they owned the place (they probably do). The boatman, an old local with the best kind of twinkle in his eye, shared legends and laughed in the sea wind. I couldn’t understand every word, but the feeling? Pure connection. Dinner that night? A feast of freshly caught seafood in a little ryokan that faced the bay. Even as a vegetarian, the care and flavor in each seasonal dish was unforgettable—every bite a story of the sea and the land. Later, I took a quiet walk along the shore. No neon lights, no noise—just the moonlight shimmering on the water and the soft clink of fishing ropes in the breeze. Ine isn’t flashy. It doesn’t try to impress. It doesn’t need to. It simply exists—quiet, beautiful, timeless—and in doing so, it moves you. So if you’re out there saying, “Where else can I go in Japan?”—come to Ine. Let the water slow you down. Let the silence speak. Let the boats rock you back into wonder. —Sonny📍