Hiking in Kansai

Hi everyone!

I'm (20M) from Singapore and I'm going to Japan soon in May, and I am looking to hike some mountains on the weekdays as I enjoy the challenge. I haven't really hiked much in my life (I hiked Mt Bukhansan in S.Korea in Jan 2025, and found it easy-moderate) but I do workout regularly and run (3 runs and 3 gym sessions a week)

I'm planning to stay in Osaka / Kyoto area, but I haven't finalized nor booked my stay yet. (I'm looking for 1 day hikes that are off the beaten track and maybe interact with locals)

The mountains I'm looking to climb are

1. Mount Bunagatake Loop https://www.alltrails.com/trail/japan/shiga/mount-bunagatake-loop

This is the hike I'm most interested in as it seems moderately challenging while also taking a full day worth of effort, and being able to be high up in the mountains to overlook the valleys and towns is quite up my alley.

1. Mount Hiei

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/japan/kyoto/mount-hieizan-shugakuin-station

This mountain does look promising as well but I haven't done much research on this yet, but this feels like there would be lots of forested areas as I hike up, and I would prefer something a little more open.

As I am still planning out my itinerary, please let me know if there's any great spots to visit in Kansai / the Kyoto Osaka region for someone who's been there 3 times (been to osaka castle, dotonburi, USJ etc) already and hopes to interact with some locals / practice speaking my japanese (I would say I'm around JLPT N3 level, but I need more practice speaking japanese)

If there are any other mountains which are also challenging (~6km+) in the region that are safe / fun to hike, please let me know as well!

Thanks a lot everyone!

TLDR: what mountain to hike around the Kansai region that's not too dangerous but also challenging, and what things to do in Kansai for someone who's been there a few times who hopes to interact with the locals. Thanks!