Hi everyone,
I am currently planning my third visit to Japan end of October. This time I will do a little road trip starting near Niigata with camping inbetween. I will avoid motorways and drive small roads to see more of the countryside.So I have basically two options for the roads to take and a one or two night stay on my travel to Kii Hanto. One is through Gifu prefecture and a stop at Okuhida Onsen, the other more through Nagano prefecture and a stop somwhere around the Kiso mountains with either Kiso Valley and Atera Valley or the Area around Komagane and Senjōjiki Cirque.
I am looking for advice and help for a decision which routing I should choose in terms of: nicer landscape, things to do, not (overly) crowed (which is why I crossed out Kamikochi as a destination) and things I overlooked.
I do like the lesser known areas a lot more than the tourist sites.
My interests in general are: nice, not to streneous walks and hikes (might include a summit), art and architecture (especially contemporary art and outdoor/ Land Art) gorgeous food, onsen (in particular mixed gender, and rotenburi) and pottery. A possibility for bike rental would be welcome.
Thanks for readind and replies