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Japan is about the size of California, but in 3 weeks, if you take advantage of the shinkansen (bullet train), and the JR Rail Pass (an excellent deal), you can cover quite a lot of territory (Narita to Osaka will take about 2.5 hours). Generally, I recommend planning for a mix of cities, countryside, mountains and sea. If you don't like one area, you can move on to someplace else.
If you aren't a younger traveler looking for nightlife, don't linger too long in Tokyo. First time visitors often assume Tokyo is the cultural center of Japan, but Tokyo is primarily a business center. You will find more culture, better cuisine, and much more to do in the friendlier Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara) area.
Japan's history and culture is scattered through out Japan, and almost anyplace can be an interesting experience. Kyushu, the Japan Sea side of Japan, and particularly Shikoku are often overlooked areas, but as rewarding as any other place for the first time traveler.
The Takayama Matsuri is one of the 3 main festivals in Japan, and a unique experience. Also, near Takayama, is Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO world heritage farm town.
From Osaka, explore Japan's Inland Sea. Views from Okayama, Takamatsu, Hiroshima, can be stunning. Also, try the Wakayama area, including Mt. Koya, or the remote and very scenic coastline east (or north) of Wakayama city. One of the most unknown areas in Osaka is Jinai-machi, near Tondabayashi, which offers one of largest areas of increasingly rare historical architecture in Japan.
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