This is a call for subjective opinions.

Having been in love with Japan for a few years now (through business trips), I made good on my promise to my wife and daughter and I am taking them there in April 2007.

Kyoto ryokan and Tokyo Park Hyatt now booked, I am thinking about another two or three days part of the itinerary, which I want to spend somewhere with wild nature.

I've been to Hokkaido before, and while wild nature there is abundant, there is not much in the way of old buildings and things (for obvious reasons).

I've been to Okinawa as well, and it is probably the least Japanese of the places in Japan, although very nice and pleasant - maybe for the next trip.

I am torn between Kyushu and Shikoku. I was thinking of flying to FUK and taking day trips to onsens around it, looking at the mountains, etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Thank you.

Shikoku is the place I know least about... so I was holding back from answering this, but nobody has taken the bait, so here I go.... (I had expected various other people to make some comments about the Iya Valley - I know that you will find those opinions if you search for "Iya" on this forum).

I think that the only totally "wild nature" in the region is probably Yakushima (an island to the South of Kyushu. Unsurprisingly, "wild nature" and buildings are not really on offer anywhere that I know of... but you could combine Yakushima with a trip to Kagoshima Castle perhaps.

My trip to Yakushima was one of the best things I have done in Japan. I was fortunate to have great weather - and spent three days following various trails through thick forest. There are thousand year old cedars growing out of the fallen trunks of three thousand year old cedars in there... The moss is so thick in places that you could lie on it and fall asleep in greater comfort than on the Westin Heavenly bed ... it's incredible.

I live in Shikoku but I'd go for Kyushu, beautiful in places, some nice cities, onsens. I like it there.