Boathouses (Funaya)in the Countryside of Japan

About 230 wooden boathouses (Funaya) stand side by side for five kilometers along the Bay as if they are floating in the sea. You see them in the small fishing village called "Ine" northern part of Kyoto where you can enjoy really fresh seafood and buckwheat noodles (Soba) with locally produced rice wines (Sake). The houses have an unusual construction. The first floor, which offers direct access to the sea, is used to store boats and fishing gear. Above this is a secondary living room which is connected to the main house with access to the road.

Throughout the seasons, these functional buildings look beautiful. Cherry blossoms bloom around them in spring, mountain trees grow thick with green leaves in summer, then turn red in autumn. Perhaps best of all is the winter season when thick piles of snow glisten on the roofs of the boathouses, as well as on the surrounding trees and hillsides. In any case, no matter when you go there, you must feel relaxed because time flows very slowly there.