Summer escape to the little sea town of #Ine, Kyoto| Rural Japan | 4 day Itinerary | #Amanohashidate

I always wanted to stay in a traditional inn like this, and thankfully, my room at Hiratasan Kaizoji Temple had air conditioning and a modern bathroom. They even left me a lot of snacks since there are no convenience stores nearby. It was a unique experience, even though I initially wanted to stay in a boathouse.

Since I don't drink sake, I opted for the sake ice cream at Mukai Sake Brewery. The owner told me about a nice spot to sit and enjoy it. It tasted like vanilla ice cream with a subtle hint of sake, and the view was already beautiful from there.

I had dinner at Yosaso Waterfront Inn, one of the boathouse inns. Since restaurants are scarce, I made a reservation. I ordered the dinner set with local fish, and the seafood was incredibly fresh, with the menu changing seasonally. The inn offered one of the best views of the Funayas, making them look like they're floating.

I had to wake up early for the temple breakfast, which was brought directly to my room. It was Shojin ryori, also known as Buddhist cuisine, a plant-based meal eaten by monks. Each dish was incredibly well-seasoned and delicious, and they even brought a huge basket of extra rice.

Instead of the 20-minute walk to the cruise boat, I chose a water taxi to get a closer view of the boat houses. Being on the water is truly the best way to appreciate them, and the breeze was so pleasant. They even gave us snacks to feed the seagulls, which was a fun bonus.

I stopped for a tea break at Miyabi Ine Boathouse, which runs a cafe on its first floor. I got a dango and green tea. It's important to check their hours in advance, as it's only open to the public from 2-4 PM. Luckily, it only started to get busy after I left.

I made it just in time for sunset before heading to Wadatsumi Sushi Restaurant for dinner. Advance booking is required, so I suggest booking early. I ordered the dinner set, which, as expected from a fishing town, came with delicious fresh seafood, including about three whole fishes and my favorite silky chawanmushi, followed by a sushi platter and strawberry sorbet dessert. The atmosphere and service were fantastic.

I headed straight to Amanohashidate View Land, famous for one of Japan's three most scenic views. I went up to the viewpoint, where the view is said to look the same upside down. Amanohashidate means 'bridge in heaven,' as it resembles a pathway between heaven and earth. There's also a small amusement park and a restaurant at the top where I got chilled clam udon for lunch.

At Chion-ji Temple, located at the southern entrance of the Amanohashidate sandbar, they have special omikuji shaped like folding fans. Many people leave them hanging on the pine trees around the temple, which is a unique and fun way to engage with local traditions.

For breakfast on my last day, I went to Cafe du pin, a cute cafe just across from Amanohashidate Station. It had a nice waterfront view, which was the best spot to see the river. I ordered the sardine burger and a latte; the burger was unexpectedly good, with an interesting ume mayo sauce that I want to try making at home.

The last part of my trip was a special train ride on the Aka Matsu Tango Train, a bit of a detour but with amazing scenery. This train runs between Amanohashidate Station and Nishimaizuru Station, designed with a 'matsu' (pine) motif. Inside, there are counter seats where you can see the seaside from the window. I got some coffee and a train conductor-shaped cake. The highlight was crossing the Yuragawa bridge, only 3 meters above the Yura river, making it feel like gliding across the ocean, resembling the famous train scene from 'Spirited Away.' I definitely recommend taking it if you're in the area!