Great nature getaway near Kyoto/Osaka?

Hi!

We are looking to finish our 3 week Honshu roundtrip with a few days off the radar, preferable close to nature, just reading books, long walks, and a relaxing time to get the pulse down before we head back to everyday-life.

Can any of your recommend a place to go near Osaka/Kyoto?

Bonus info: We are more looking for specific Ryokans/Hotels/Rentals/Cottages/whatever accomodation that could be our base for these days. Our budget is not large enough to choose high-end onsen ryokans, but there is some wiggle room to find something nice, so any recommendation really is appreciated. Thank you!

Minoh Park in Osaka is a 30-minute ride from Umeda although a bit touristy.

Whether in Osaka or Kyoto, maybe Kurama-Kibune trail or going to Shiga, particularly Enryakuji Temple.

Nara isnt off the radar by any means, but it is a lovely green town. In fact after 10 plus trips to Japan I'm thinking this year to jut go to Nara for a week to chill, and do day trips from there.

We stay at Nara hotel which is about 100 years old. The old section is like stepping back in time. As long as you arent having dinner there (which can be pretty [very] expensive), it is pretty reasonable.

Otherwise Uji is nice, Hikone too but I dont know that you'd keep amused for more than a day in Uji so Hikone would be my preference and you could get out on the lake.

Kii Peninsula? The Kumano Kodo area is very picturesque.

Lazy Pious:

What hotel do you stay at in Nara?

We are looking most at Nara or somewhere on the Kii, so we could a day-trip to Koyasan. It's more a challenge to find the perfect place to stay!

Hi. We stay at Nara Hotel http://www.narahotel.co.jp/en/

Seriously, it is the most beautiful place ever, it is like boarding the Titanic. We stay in the old section, though I think the new wing accomodation costs less and you still get to use all of the tea rooms and have breakfast (silver service, thank you very much) in the old. Then before bed a glass of champagne sitting near the piano that Einstein played when he stayed there...

Because it is all over 100 years old, some of the stuff is a little tired and in winter the old oil heaters bong away at night etc, so there are inconveniences, but that is part of the character of it.

How about here?
It is near Kyoto.

https://www.agoda.com/hoshino-resorts-l-hotel-de-hiei/hotel/kyoto-jp.h...

You can walk the Hieizan Enryaku-ji from there as it is
in the mountain.