Sightseeing from Kyoto to Nozawa Onsen

Hi

I will be heading from Kyoto to Nozawa Onsen in 3rd week of Dec. I am trying to stop in between and rest for a night. But not sure what are nice places to stop for sightseeing. I don't mind deviating a bit.

I have been to Takayama , Shiragawago & Nagano. Not intended to go there again.

Is Kanazawa & Toyama good place to de-tour a bit? Any other place to suggest ?

I didnt see how many days we are talking about, but I would suggest maybe Hikone (near Maibara) then on to Kiso Valley (Tsumago - Magome are nice, not spectacular, but good if you dont have high expectations), then Matsumoto.

Kanazawa is also nice but personally (I hope I dont get flamed for this) it isnt a lot different to Kyoto in landscape and "feel" (it is called Little Kyoto) so I tend to think it is not idea to go from Big Kyoto to Little Kyoto, I'd rather go somewhere completely different. I havent seen the interesting side of Toyama as yet but have been told that there are some nice parts of it.

Sorry, just saw it is for one night. I think Matsumoto could be a good choice, or Tsumago/Narai area. You will be seeing some interesting countryside along the way.

* Matsumoto is marvelous (check out Asamaonsen for the night there)
* Obuse with its great Hokusai-Museum (and this is the place to go if you love chestnuts)
* if you are willing to make a small detour you could go over Mino (Paper!) and Gujo Hachiman (nice town and castle) / Kanazawa

Obuse is nice. There’s an old samurai house district (small but nice), and a sake brewery that does tours. The Hokusai museum is small but worthwhile.

Thanks for suggesting Obuse .
May I ask where is Mino (Paper!) ?
Which is the sake brewery that does tours ?
Where is Gujo Hachiman ?

Thanks all

Why simply not google?

But ok, here are the recommendations in those cities, so just click the links and you know where they are:

Mino: https://www.google.at/maps/place/Former+Imai+Family+Residence/@35.5467...

Gujo Hachiman:
https://www.google.at/maps/place/Gujo+Hachiman+Castle/@35.753153,136.9...

Obuse Sake Brewery:
https://www.google.at/maps/place/桝一市村酒造場/@36.6949966,138.3164277,19.15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x8d51f5cd8f6edcf7!8m2!3d36.695075!4d138.316007