[GregX999]

Thanks for all the replies guys! You've given me some great options to explore so far. Until I can explore in person, I've been looking at photos of all these places on Google Earth and trying to read as much as I can about them.

Steven - I had heard of Kanazawa before. I remember reading the (very interesting) hostory of the place. Doesn't it rain a ton over on that coast?

Nyororin - I hadn't given much thought to Nagano either (it does seem to be rarely talked about). I think for me, maybe because it seemed too dense of an area. How easy is it to get out to the more "nature" type areas to the north and east (like east of Seto or north of Seki)? Are there busses or light-rail that go out there (where one could bring a bike)? What you say about the bike lanes and sidewalks sounds VERY good to me. I would plan on using a (folding?) bike for most local errands. And being rather central seems nice too.

Konbini - I had thought a bit about Nagano just because there seems to be a lot of outdoor activities around there being that it's surrounded by mountains. But I don't know too much else about it.

Does anyone know much about the smaller towns in Nagano prefecture like Omachi or Matsumoto? Too small? Too rural?