Amanohashidate and Ine Funaya Boathouses Day Tour Kyoto
- Duration10 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This full-day guided coach tour takes you from Kyoto to the northern coast of the prefecture to see two of its most beautiful places: Amanohashidate, the pine-covered sandbar known as the Bridge to Heaven, and Ine, a fishing village of wooden boathouses built over the water. Our default option includes the Amanohashidate cable car and an Ine Bay cruise, and you travel with an English-speaking guide. It suits couples, families and photographers who want a slow coastal day away from the temple crowds.
Highlights
- Walk the lanes of Ine, a fishing village of traditional funaya boathouses on the water
- Cruise Ine Bay for about thirty minutes with gulls following the boat (default option)
- Ride the Amanohashidate cable car up to the Hiryu observation deck (default option)
- See the famous pine-covered sandbar from above, the Bridge to Heaven
- Visit Chion-ji Temple, the temple of wisdom, and cross the Kaisen swing bridge
- Travel by air-conditioned coach with an English-speaking guide, no driving or planning needed
Full Description
Ine Funaya boathouses, a fishing village built on the water
Ine is a small fishing town on the Tango Peninsula where about two hundred funaya, wooden boathouses with a boat garage at sea level and living rooms above, stand in an unbroken row along the bay. The whole waterfront is protected as a preservation district for traditional buildings, so it still feels like the Edo period.
Anyone planning an Ine Funaya boathouses tour from Kyoto quickly learns that public transport here is slow, so our coach makes the trip direct, about two and a half hours each way. We walk the lanes, stop at the viewpoint over the bay and leave free time for photos.
The Ine Bay cruise
The Ine Bay sightseeing cruise lasts around thirty minutes and shows the boathouses from the water, which is the angle they were built for. The bay is sheltered by hills and a small island, so the surface stays calm, and gulls often follow the boat.
Many travellers ask whether the Ine Bay cruise is worth it. If you take only one boat ride in Kyoto Prefecture, make it this one; the ride is quiet and easy after the drive. It is included in our default option, while in the options without it the cruise is optional and paid separately.
Amanohashidate, the Bridge to Heaven, seen from the cable car
Amanohashidate is a pine-covered sandbar about three and a half kilometres long that closes off Miyazu Bay, and it is listed among the Three Scenic Views of Japan. The classic way to see it is from above: a chairlift and monorail cable car climbs to the Hiryu observation deck.
There, tradition says you turn your back and look at the sandbar between your legs, so it seems to rise into the sky like a flying dragon. Searching for Amanohashidate cable car tickets is common, so note that our default option already includes the ride, while the options without it let you skip it.
Chion-ji Temple, Kaisen Bridge and the sandbar beach
At the foot of the sandbar stands Chion-ji, a temple dedicated to Monju, the bodhisattva of wisdom, where students come to pray for exam success and visitors draw fan-shaped fortune slips. Nearby, the Kaisen Bridge is a small swing bridge that turns aside to let boats pass.
Beyond it the pine path and the beach begin. Allow time to walk a stretch of the sandbar or simply sit under the trees, and take a slow look at the quiet temple gardens. The best time to visit Amanohashidate is a clear day in spring or autumn, and comfortable shoes matter more than anything else you pack.
Itinerary
- Kyoto Station Hachijo East ExitMeet your guide and board the air-conditioned coach at 9:00 a.m. in the default option; please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
- Drive to IneAbout two and a half hours by coach through the countryside of northern Kyoto Prefecture.
- Ine Funaya boathousesAbout one and a half hours to walk the village, use the viewpoint and enjoy free time.
- Ine Bay cruiseA cruise of about thirty minutes past the boathouses (included in the default option).
- AmanohashidateAbout two hours for the cable car to the Hiryu deck, Chion-ji Temple, the Kaisen Bridge and the beach.
- Return to KyotoAbout two and a half hours back to the meeting point, with arrival depending on traffic.
What's included
- English-speaking guide
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- Return transfer from the Kyoto meeting point
- All taxes, parking, tolls and fuel fees
Not included
- Amanohashidate cable car ticket
- Ine Bay cruise ticket
- Meals and beverages
- Personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers who want the view from the air
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 10 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
- You are afraid of heights
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- People with mobility impairments
- People with heart problems
Meeting point
The default option meets at Kyoto Station Hachijo East Exit, in the square known as Sankun Garden, about 110 metres straight ahead from the exit. The coach leaves at 9:00 a.m. and departs on time, so please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Hotel pickup is not offered. If you choose an Osaka option, the meeting point is in Osaka and the departure is earlier; the details are shown in the option description and in your booking confirmation.
Important information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water, an umbrella and some cash, because many small shops do not accept cards.
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure; the coach leaves on time out of respect for all guests.
- Traffic can be heavy on weekends, holidays and in peak seasons, so avoid booking evening trains, flights or dinners on the same day.
- Eating and smoking are not allowed inside the vehicle.
- Tell us when booking if you are travelling with a pushchair or large luggage.
- Guests aged 70 and over may be asked to sign a travel waiver on arrival, and personal travel insurance is not included.
- Lunch is not included; there is free time to eat at Ine and at Amanohashidate.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Amanohashidate and Ine day tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, such as the departure city and whether the cable car and cruise are included. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. This is a meeting-point tour. The default option meets at Kyoto Station Hachijo East Exit, and the Osaka options meet at a point in Osaka.
How long is the Amanohashidate and Ine tour?
The tour takes about ten hours, starting at 9:00 a.m. from Kyoto in the default option. Around five hours of the day are spent on the coach, and the rest at Ine and Amanohashidate.
Are the cable car and the Ine Bay cruise included?
They are included in the default option. The options marked without the cable car and cruise do not include them, and you can add them separately at the sites if you wish.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children from three to twelve years old use the child fare, and infants of two and under are listed separately. Keep in mind the long drive and the walking involved.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, light layers, water, an umbrella and some cash. The sandbar and the village are outdoors, so bring sun protection in summer and a jacket in winter.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Availability depends on the date. The booking panel shows which dates can still be booked, and booking earlier is safer for weekends, holidays and the autumn season.
What is the difference between the options?
The options differ by departure city, Kyoto or Osaka, and by whether the Amanohashidate cable car and the Ine Bay cruise are included. The route and the guide are the same.
Is Amanohashidate worth visiting on a day trip from Kyoto?
Yes, if you enjoy scenery and quiet villages more than temples and shrines. It is one of the Three Scenic Views of Japan, and combining it with Ine makes a full and varied coastal day.
Is lunch included?
No, meals are not included. There is free time at both stops, and small cafes and stalls are nearby, but most shops prefer cash.
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