By: Alex
The small fishing village of Ine, located in northern Kyoto Prefecture, is famed for its "funaya" houses. As the name suggests, funaya serve both as boathouses for fishing boats and as residences for fishermen. Recently, it has once again become a hot topic online—but not for its historical charm, rather for the appearance of "blue tears."
Ine’s Funaya
— Hino@hi-photography (@hiphotography1) May 9, 2021
The sea shimmering with glowing blue plankton was simply magical. pic.twitter.com/LO28KrRQAP
▲ "The funaya of Ine, the blue sea is just dreamy."
"Blue tears," also known as sea sparkle or noctiluca scintillans, are single-celled organisms capable of bioluminescence. When stimulated by waves, they emit a soft blue glow, creating a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere. Coincidentally, two photographers independently captured images of the "blue tears" in Ine. Their photos suggest that this recent occurrence was quite large in scale and abundant in quantity—not only did vast areas of the sea glow an intense blue, but nearby coastal buildings were also bathed in blue light.
▲ (photo by hiphotography1 @Twitter)
▲ (photo by hiphotography1 @Twitter)
▲ (photo by hiphotography1 @Twitter)
Photographer Hino@hi-photography ( @hiphotography1 ) mentioned that although he has lived in Kyoto for some time, this was his first time seeing the "blue tears." After researching, he found that in the northern coastal area of Kyoto, "blue tears" typically appear from late April to late July. As for うさだだぬき ( @usalica ), a Kyoto native who frequently explores the region in search of the most beautiful seasonal views, this was also his first time witnessing the "blue tears" in Ine.
The sea of Kyoto—in Ine, the ocean shimmered blue, making for a truly magical night. pic.twitter.com/CazJV0ie7u
— うさだだぬき (@usalica) May 9, 2021
▲ "The sea of Ine glowed blue, making for a magical night."
▲ (photo by usalica @Twitter)
▲ (photo by usalica @Twitter)
▲ (photo by usalica @Twitter)
Source: hiphotography1, usalica