Where to go with car besides Magome-Tsumago?

Hi all,

We will be flying in to Osaka in late Dec (2 adults+2 children). After spending the first 3 days in Kyoto, we will be renting a car to explore the countryside. Ending off our trip with the last 2 days in Osaka.

Day 1 - 3: Kyoto
Day 4 - 8: ?? (with rental car)
Day 9 -10: Osaka

Need suggestions for places we can visit with our rental car for day 4-8. We prefer countryside and don't mind changing hotel everyday and visiting 1-2 sights per day.

We want to do the Magome-Tsumago trail. Any suggestions where else we could go/stay?

Thanks!!

Takayama, Okuhida, Kamikochi to just name a few ideas:
https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1104.html

What are you interested in?

We are interested in outdoor nature and hiking. That�fs why we are going for the walk at tsumago
Have considered going up to fukui, takayama and shirakawa go. Then tsumago. But I�fm worried that it�fs too much to cover in just 5 days.
So would like to keep it nearer to tsumago area but want to avoid city like Nagoya.

Thanks!

Why not go the other way to Maniwa (has a famous waterfall, famous onsen, the Hiruzen Highlands, award-winning yakisoba, etc) and Mount Daisen (temples, hikes, nature)? You could also visit Niimi for its caves or go to Taishaku-kyo Gorge to see Onbashi, said to be the world's largest natural bridge. There are cultural sites around the area, too (such as Takahashi with its authentic castle, Fukiya historic district, etc) so it doesn't have to be all nature, but Northern Okayama, Tottori, and Northeastern Hiroshima Prefecture has a lot of nice natural sites that would make great use of the car.

Maniwa:
http://www.e-maniwa.net/
https://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/spot/1085

Daisen:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e8150.html
http://tourismdaisen.com/en/

Taishaku-kyo Gorge and Onbashi:
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/895/
http://taishakukyo.com/

Takahashi and Niimi:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5775.html
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Takahashi
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/chugoku/okayama/niimi-area/

Oh Sorry, I can't believe I missed the part where you said you were GOING to Magome-Tsumago. I thought you were just looking for ideas that had a similar out-of-the way feel.

Ignore my suggestion... Sorry.