Or those who have first names that should be surnames (Thomas) or surnames that should be first names (Frank). He does both. For that reason, Frank (or Thomas) OUT.
Having only been to Dublin and Galway out of those, yeah. Dublin, OK, but Galway is one of the most delightful towns/small cities? I've ever been to in my life - the vibe, attractiveness, people and oh, the pubs :) It's also relatively small and manageable.
Another vote for Nara and easy to get to from Kyoto. It's just got a lovely atmosphere. Buy some rice crackers handily available to feed a few of the hundreds (thousands?) of deer.
Stay in a hotel with an onsen or go to an onsen for a real Japanese tradition.
Enjoy Fuji perhaps also from...