Ine-ura, Traditional boathouses in Ine Bay, Japan
Ine-ura is a historic coastal settlement in Ine Bay, Japan, where around 230 wooden boathouses line the shoreline. These two-storey structures provide boat storage and fishing gear on the lower level, while the upper floors serve as living spaces.
People settled in the coastal mountains during the fifth century and moved closer to the shore to make fishing easier. The first boathouses built directly on the water appeared in the 18th century and have remained ever since.
The settlement takes its name from the word for rice field, referring to the shape of the bay. Some boathouses open their doors for overnight stays, preserving the traditional timber construction and dark roof tiles while hosting guests.
The settlement sits about an hour by bus from the Kyoto Tango Railway line and is best visited in spring or autumn. A short walk along the waterfront road allows visitors to view the entire bay and see many of the boathouses up close.
The bay experiences daily tidal changes of only 30 centimeters (12 inches) and yearly variations of 70 centimeters (28 inches), allowing construction directly over the water. These minimal differences protect the wooden foundations from the usual damage caused by fluctuating water levels.
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