We will be traveling to Japan for a longer trip, possible up to 5 months (UK passport) and would like to use different areas as bases to see more of the countryside/less-visited areas. Tokyo will be our first base and we'll be arriving in mid- to late-January. I love winter in Japan and we're considering spending some of that earlier time taking couple of trips outside Tokyo to the mountains or to the farther prefectures.
Is there any advantage to finding a place on the west side of Tokyo (say, Ikebukuro) vs an alternative we're looking at like Sumida or Ryougoku? Even generally, any tips on which areas of Tokyo might be good for late winter/early spring (and then a move in spring to another) that is nice in its own right and has relatively accessible transportation out of the city to spots north/northwest would be much appreciated. We do not need to be living near bustling city activity; and quieter neighborhoods are our aim. If it matters, although it's definitely rusty, I have passable conversational Japanese ability.