noun
A small indentation of the shoreline, smaller than a bay (湾). Often used for picturesque, sheltered coastal inlets.
その入り江は水が透き通っていて、泳ぐのに最適だ。
The water in that inlet is crystal clear, perfect for swimming.
小さな入り江にヨットが一艘停泊していた。
A single yacht was anchored in the small cove.
湾 is a larger bay or gulf, while 入り江 is a smaller, more sheltered inlet or cove.
Compound of 入り (iri, 'entering') + 江 (e, 'inlet'). The kanji 江 originally referred to a creek or inlet.