recommendations for where else to stay for our 2nd time in japan?

hello!! after going to japan back late oct-nov 2024 for 3 weeks, my partner and i loved it and miss it so much that we’re going back late nov-early dec this year for another 3 weeks yippieeee !!! however, im unsure how to plan this trip accommodation wise since on our last trip we hit all the main “must go” first time cities (tokyo->five lakes fuji->osaka->kyoto->tokyo)

we did all of the touristy things our first trip and want to keep this trip SUPER chill and go with the flow. however im afraid if i do the same route it might feel too the same as last trip if that makes sense.

currently what i have planned for the second time around is:

(in order) 7 days tokyo 2 days fuji or hakone 7 days kyoto 6 days tokyo again

i would love any recommendations for other places we can stay at as a base( was looking at fukuoka or hiroshima unsure. i was also thinking hokkaido but that would be another flight and my bf takes a bit to recover from jetlag and dont want to tire him out! would love some input on this tho if hokkaido is worth it since i think itll be snowy :D )

and if it helps, this is how are last trip looked and most of the “big” things we did!

7 days tokyo 5 days osaka 3 days kyoto 7 days tokyo

• disney tokyo sea
• ghibli museum
• osaka castle
• nara
• explored a bit of kobe
• cup noodle museum
• monkey park in kyoto
• mt fuji skyrail, park near 5 lakes
• fushimi inari
• kamakura seaside

are all the main things i can think off from the top of my head. thank you in advance! (: i would really love to plan a relaxing trip for him as he has been working non stop and doesnt get much of a break ever