If you were going to Japan for 1-year to learn the language, which city would you go to?

I am trying to decide where I should attend language school in Japan next year. I will be applying for a one-year term of study.

My goal is to improve upon one-year of intensive Japanese language training during my undergrad so that I will be eligible for enrollment at the graduate level at a Japanese University. (Whether that is a realistic amount of time is not important for this post.)

My question for this sub is: where would you go? Or, where would you go if you were in your 30's, had a budget of $2000/month for expenses, loved art, poetry, rock climbing, swimming, motorcycles, mountains, long walks, and felt really apprehensive about going to Tokyo because of the sheer scale of it.

My first thought is Kyoto, but the school I've been looking at offers housing in Kameoka, and I worry about the commute. I've also looked at Sapporo, Nagano and Naha.

I would love to read your thoughts.

Thank you for your time.