Suggestion for a one month stay

My wife and I are considering a trip to Japan for one month in Summer '09. Instead of trying to see the entire country we would rather settle into one town, perhaps somewhere along the northern coast where there would be interesting, scenic day trips. I've been to Japan twice before, but speak no Japanese. I love big cities but am interested in a more relaxed, scenic, small place that isn't totally overrun by tourists. Any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks in advance, Greg

So many places fit your requirement. I could suggest Akita which would give you ready access to that northern coastline and some not too distant cities or somewhere like Hagi with the southern Sea of Japan coastline but Hagi is very small and it may possibly be hard to fill a month in the area.