Suggestions for 3 weeks Dec 2016 to Jan 2017

Have some ideas (arriving Osaka, poss. dep. Tokyo) mid-Dec for three weeks. Travelling with 4 adults. Considered destinations: Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, (to include Mirajima), Kanazawa/Takayama??(either/or) Ise? /Monkey Park, Tokyo (though rather not spend time here and ???Hakone or ???) This is my 4th visit but travelling with others whom I'd love to be impressed with a wonderful itinerary. Would love some suggestions. Culture, nature, gardens, history, easy hiking, oh and of course, light festivals!!) Know this is a broad selection but I would appreciate your suggestions and thanking you all in advance. Kim

You didn't give dates, but this could be an interesting one for real Japanese culture. Its in Nara, close to Kyoto and in mid-December

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/kasugawakamiyaon.html

Also, be sure to be somewhere with a a major temple for New Year's eve!!

And if you are doing the Monkey Park, I'd recommend you do it out of Nozawa, which is very picturesque in the winter and allows you to try the half a dozen or so free onsens scattered around the village!

Winter also provides some of the clearest and most beautiful views of Mt Fuji, so if you are in Tokyo on a sunny day, I'd head for Kamakura/Enoshima (Kamakura is a great place in its own right if you are into temples and 'traditional' Japan)

Thanks everyone for suggestions thus far! Please keep them coming! Arrival around December 16 departure 6th January.