Long-distance walking trips?

Just a few months ago I completed a trip of three weeks or so along the old Tokaido route, and absolutely loved it. I ended up walking a little over half the distance and taking local trains for the rest, and stayed mostly in business hotels. I want to take another trip like this at some point, but I'm wondering where to go. I guess the Nakasendo would be the obvious followup...

More about what I have in mind:

- I don't want to camp.
- Not longer than 2-3 weeks is best.
- Another area of Japan would be good, since I've only been between Tokyo and Kyoto so far.
- I like to walk anywhere except beside a really busy road, so trails, countryside, towns, cities, are all good. I don't care so much if I walk the whole way or not.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!

I've never walked, but there are Olle in Kyushu and Miyagi.
https://kyushuolle.welcomekyushu.jp/en/courses
https://www.miyagiolle.jp/en/
There is also the Tokai Nature Trail, but the route includes mountains.
http://www.tokai-walk.jp/

Have you considered something like the Shikoku pilgrimage route? To cover the whole thing takes around six weeks, so you could do sections and there are some good resources online. In a similar vein, the routes in the Kii Peninsular could be an option - more hiking than walking from what I understand.

Some options:
https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/takenouchikaido/
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7450.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4952.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/loveshikoku/report-2888
https://youtu.be/3d0qafgaOX8
etc.

I have seen many videos of Takaido and Nakasendo trekking. Nakasendo is more mountainous and does not go through as many big cities like Tokaido, so there may not be as many business hotels along the way. You also have to watch out for bears in season. But you do go through more preserved towns.

Another vote for the Kii Peninsula/Kumano Kodo. Could happily spend a couple of weeks in that area, mixing walking with other good stuff. There are good onsens, and seaside (and seaside onsens!). Wakayama is a lovely place with a castle and a cool fish market where you can see them cut up a whole tuna, and you could also visit Koyasan. There's the train station that has a cat station master, and you can visit a soy sauce brewery and a miso-making place (both of which do ice-cream flavoured with their products).

i recommend checking out this channels:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClA3U98-P28B2cCGyhct6CA
https://www.youtube.com/@hikinginjapan

As you say, the Nakasendo is the obvious follow up. If you plan it carefully, you can do the whole thing without camping, staying at a combination of business hotels and ryokan/minshuku. It took me 22 days. See here for an idea of what to expect:
http://thewalkingfool.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Nakasendo%20diar...

The Shikoku pilgrimage is also a good suggestion, though you would only be able to walk parts of it in 2-3 weeks.

There�fs also the newish Michinoku Coastal Trail in Tohoku. It�fs too long (1000 km+) to do the whole thing in 2-3 weeks, but it would definitely offer something different scenery wise. See here for details, including accommodation options:
https://www.michinokutrail.com/

Thanks everyone for the interesting suggestions!

A few years before Covid we did the Kumano Kodo walk - a must for walkers who enjoy nature and rural community. We loitered too long on the trail and missed the last bus back to our ryokan over the mountain. Lucky a local lady drove passed the bus stop and took pity of the two stranded tourists who should know better. She drove us back to our accom. - a long way off her route(around 60 km off) and refused to take anything from us as payment for her time and gas.
When we told our lodge owner of this good samaritan's kindness, his simple answer is just - this is our custom - we always help our tourists whichever way we can!

If you want a shorter pilgrimage, look into the Chichibu 34 temple Kannon Pilgrimage.

https://www.japan.travel/en/japans-local-treasures/chichibu-34-kannon-...

It is about 100 kilometers in length. I did it while I stayed at a Route Inn hotel in Chichibu. One the first day, I took a bus to the first Temple and started. Because of the strange ordering of the Temples, you will probably not do the Temples in order. For some reason, temples 10 & 7 are usually done after Temple 5. I also remember a strawberry picking farm near Temple 6.

https://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~pu4I-aok/core/traveldata/chichibu34e.htm

Every evening, I would catch a bus back to the hotel, and every morning, I would take a bus back to the bus stop, and continue my journey.