Hidden Destination Known As "The Venice of Japan" Is a Tourist-Free Dream Town

When traveling, is there anything better than stumbling upon a hidden destination without crowds of tourists?

Luckily, this traveler's dream town exists within Japan's Kyoto Prefecture—it's a place known as Ine no Funaya (or The Boat Houses of Ine). Here visitors will find a row of 230 wooden boathouses constructed on the water's edge, which is why it's nicknamed "The Venice of Japan." Many of these homes were built with garage-style doors that serve as a spot where people can anchor their boats. Since the water remains still and doesn't feature crashing waves, residents are shielded from storms and can live in wooden homes. Thanks to this area's uniqueness, it's been protected and named a site of "important traditional buildings."

Even though The Boat Houses of Ine was initially a fishing town, many of the boathouses have been transformed into lodgings for travelers. Seeing as this locale isn't listed in most guidebooks, visitors can rest assured that they'll find some peace and quiet in this dreamy waterside town.