Planning a Spontaneous Road Trip Around Kyoto – Seeking Suggestions!

Hi everyone,

can't seem to post this in both r/japan or r/JapanTravel so – hope it works here!.

This will be my third time visiting Japan, and my wife and I are thinking of exploring a bit differently this time. We're not big on strict itineraries when we travel; we like the freedom of going with the flow. We usually have a general idea of the areas we'll be in on specific dates and just let the trip unfold from there.

This time, we're planning to arrive in Kyoto, rent a car, and take a 1-2 day road trip around the region. The idea is to explore some towns and scenic spots, and we'll find a place to stay wherever we end up when we’re ready to rest for the night.

We’ll be there in September, and we’d love to hear any recommendations from experienced travelers. We’re open to anything—whether it's hidden gems, scenic drives, unique towns, or even farms. Naoshima Island did cross our minds, but I’ve read it’s not accessible by car, so we’re looking for other suggestions like that. Any advice or must-visit spots would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

by ObjectiveMortgage4

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