Unsure for a day trip

Hi all.

I am going back to Japan in October. :)

I have been to Japan roughly 10 times in the past (have visited - Tokyo, Nikko, Nagano, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Hakone, Kamakura, Kawaguchiko, Kawagoe, Miyajimi, Nara, Yokohama�c.).

This time Im only going for 8 full days and so going to be spending most of the time in Tokyo but planning on making 2 day trips (either sleeping there or late train back)

Currently thinking about Sendai, Kanazawa, Osaka or Niigata.

Would anyone have another suggestion?

I would like ideally a maximum 3.5 hour train back to Tokyo.
As its still relatively cheap I�fll use a 7 day JR pass if it pays off so distance is the only criteria really.

Im just wondering if anyone has a suggestion if maybe a cool coastal town or a nice mountainous town or somewhere that I may not have thought of that would be worth a visit seen as the JRPass is still cheap :)

Or if you think any of my current ideas would be the best choice :)

Thx

Hi
Personally, I like chestnuts, so I thought Nagano and Obuse would be good, but you've already been there.
Nakatsugawa is also famous for its chestnuts, so it might be a good idea to combine it with Nakasendo.
https://nakatsugawa.town/attractive-malon-town/
Also, although Irohazaka is congested, the autumn leaves in Nikko were also good.
https://koyo.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0309e12983/
I also like Kanazawa. I went there 3 times.
The 21st Century Museum of Art, Kenrokuen Garden, Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple), Higashi Chaya District, and more.
Ninja Temple requires a telephone reservation at least one week in advance.
You can probably book through the tourist office (or through your hotel concierge).
http://www.myoryuji.or.jp/50.html
In Sendai, Naruko Gorge, Akiu Otaki, Rairai Gorge, etc. are the best season for autumn foliage.
https://koyo.walkerplus.com/detail/ar0204e154412/
https://akiusato.jp/seeing/meishou.html
have a nice trip.

I would recommend taking a trip to the onsen resort town of Kusatsu Onsen.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7400.html#section_main_content

Kusatsu Onsen is regarded as one of Japan's top onsen resorts (if not the best). There are plenty of hot spring baths (which are tattoo friendly), hiking trails, restaurants, souvenir shops and also a couple of charming shrines and temples.

If you do visit, then I would recommend making it an overnight trip and stay at one of the nearby ryokans. You can do it as a day trip. However, 2 day 1 night would mean that you can spend more time at Kusatsu Onsen at a leisurely pace, whilst also enjoying a ryokan experience.

The entire journey from Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen should take slightly under 3 hours.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7403.html

Sendai has Matsuyama Bay and Yamadera close. Arrive. Do one. Sleep. Do other. Depart.

Don't think travelling to Osaka just for an overnight trip would be worth it travel time wise.

Thank you all, much appreciated! Some really good suggestions - going to weigh them up

Odd questions to ask, but they will help me give suggestions

What type of stuff do you like doing? Specifically, what do you enjoy doing?

How much are you willing to spend doing stuff?

Are you after a place which has lots to do or something which is a bit more contained?

I'm aware of 50+ places which are possibilities but need to whittle them down

For something a bit different, I'd go to Ito or Shuzenji on the Izu peninsula. Not very far, Ito is fun, the zoo there is fantastic and I'd travel a few hours to feed a capybara for sure.

Otherwise, I really like Karuizawa. There is a nice hike, the town itself has a nice aesthetic, very reasonably priced accommodation.

As a Japanese train lover I recommend Hakodate. It is 4.5 h ride with 1 transfer at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Normally it costs about 23560 yen one way so Japan Rail Pass will easiy pay off. On the way Hayabusa runs fastest (320 km/h) from Utsunomiya to Morioka. And Hayabusa goes through Japan's longest tunnel (53.85 km, until 2016 world's longest).

Aside from train ride, Hakodate is far north so you will find quite different atomosphere. If you stay one night you can also go to Ônuma park where you can enjoy autumn leaves.