If your looking escape the city, this Day trip from Kyoto tour is perfect! I booked the Ine Funaya, Amanohashidate & Miyama Town Gassho Village 1 Day Tour through Klook, and it was hands-down one of the best experiences of my Japan trip.
This blog isn’t sponsored—I just loved the experience and want to share it with other travelers looking for something a little off the beaten path. The price was very reasonable, especially considering the distance we covered. In fact, when I looked into doing a similar route by public transit, it would’ve taken a lot more time, effort, and potentially even more expensive once you factored in multiple buses, trains, and transfers. But with this tour, all the logistics were handled.
The tour ran from around 8am to 5pm, depending on traffic conditions. All I had to do was hop on the bus, sit back, relax (take glorious naps between destinations), and soak up the changing countryside views as we journeyed north.
Here’s how the day unfolded:
Perfect Day Trip from Kyoto
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🐦 Ine Town – Floating Villages & Frenzied Birds
Our first stop of the day was Ine Town, a peaceful fishing village famous for its funaya—traditional boat houses that line the calm, emerald waters of Ine Bay. It’s already one of Japan’s designated “most beautiful villages,” but the highlight here wasn’t just the scenery—it was the sightseeing cruise.
We hopped on a boat for a short tour around the bay, and that’s when things got wild (in the best way). The cruise offers shrimp crackers you can toss to the local flocks of black kites and seagulls, who follow the boat in huge, dramatic swarms. Picture dozens of birds soaring overhead, diving to catch crackers mid-air, with the picture-perfect village in the background—it’s like something out of a nature show.
Despite the feeding frenzy, the birds are surprisingly polite. They don’t attack or get aggressive—they just glide gracefully in to snatch what’s tossed. It was chaotic, beautiful, and totally unforgettable—one of the top highlights of my entire trip.
Warning: A seagull pooped on me during the cruise, so don’t wear anything too fancy onboard.
🌲 Amanohashidate – Chairlifts, Pine Trees & Scenic Views
Next up: Amanohashidate, one of the famed Three Scenic Views of Japan. It’s a narrow sandbar stretching across Miyazu Bay, covered in around 8,000 pine trees and flanked by calm sea on both sides.
To take in the view, we rode a quirky little chair lift—the lowest I’ve ever seen, but honestly, that made it kind of charming. At the top, you reach the main lookout point where you can do the traditional “look-between-your-legs” pose to see the “bridge to heaven” illusion.
From there, you can hike up even further to Nariaiji Temple and 5-Story Pagoda for a higher viewpoint. I made the mistake of walking—it took me about 30-40 minutes—and while the trail is peaceful and forested, I’d recommend taking the bus or driving up if you’re short on time. Sadly, with only 2 hours here, I didn’t have time to walk across the sandbar itself. This is definitely a place I want to revisit and spend a night or two exploring more deeply.
🏡 Miyama Gassho Village – Snowy Fairytale Vibes
We ended the day at Miyama, a tiny mountain village known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs. It’s one of the three major gassho-style settlements in Japan, alongside Shirakawa-go and Ouchi-juku, and it feels like stepping into the past maybe a Studio Ghibli movie.
Miyama sits much further north than the other stops, so pack an extra jacket! When we arrived, it was snowing heavily, which made the whole village feel extra magical. Unlike some preserved historic towns that feel a bit like museums, people actually live in these houses, and you can see their personal touches—laundry on the line, snow shovels by the door, even kids’ toys peeking out of porches. It adds this lovely layer of authenticity to an already charming place.
🚍 Why I Loved This Tour (and You Might Too)
If you’ve looked into visiting these places on your own, you’ll know it’s not exactly easy without a car. This Klook tour was incredibly convenient and well-organized, and I loved being able to relax, nap, and just enjoy the views without worrying about logistics.
Each spot had its own unique flavor—Ine with its surreal bird cruise, Amanohashidate with its iconic scenery and quirky lifts, and Miyama with its serene, snow-dusted charm.
If you’re short on time but want to experience a different side of Kyoto Prefecture, this tour is a dream.
Approximate Cost in March 2025: Around $60 USD for the tour, with an additional $15 USD for the Ine boat cruise and Amanohashidate chair lift, bringing the total to approximately $75 USD for the full experience. Meals are not included in the tour.
🏨 Where to Stay in Kyoto for Easy Day Trips
To make the most of this day trip and others in the region, I recommend staying near Kyoto Station—it’s the city’s central transportation hub and where most tours depart from. It’s also the main train station to Nara! Here are three great options for every budget:
🛏️ Budget Pick – Kyoto Piece Hostel
This is where I stayed and I honestly loved it. Kyoto Piece Hostel is just a few minutes’ walk from Kyoto Station, making it super convenient for day trips like this one. It’s clean, cozy, and social, with a great lounge space to meet other travelers. Perfect for solo backpackers or budget-minded explorers.
🏨 Mid-Range – Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Located inside Kyoto Station, Hotel Granvia offers unbeatable convenience with modern, spacious rooms and amenities like a fitness center and indoor pool. You can literally roll out of bed and hop on your tour bus. Great for couples or anyone wanting comfort without splurging.
🌟 Luxury – The Thousand Kyoto
If you’re looking to treat yourself, The Thousand Kyoto is a sleek, tranquil oasis just steps from Kyoto Station. With minimalist design, a beautiful on-site spa, and impeccable service, it’s the perfect blend of luxury and convenience.
Let me know if you’ve visited any of these spots—or if they’re now on your wishlist!
And if you’re planning your own Japan itinerary and want more ideas, feel free to reach out or browse my other posts 😊
