I love boats. I love water. And I love the countryside. So when I heard about Ine ‘the Floating Village’ I knew I had to visit.
This picturesque sleepy little place at the foot of a mountain a couple of hours’ drive from Kyoto consists of more than 200 rickety wooden funaya (boat houses) which reach out over the water.
Each has a small dock at the back were boats are moored. It is a close fishing community, and there is a wonderful buzz in the air as the fishermen unload their catch onto the shore.
Can you imagine popping out of your back door and going off to visit friends by boat? Or making a cup of tea and heading out for a quick sail during your coffee break? Sounds dreamy to me…