Italian or Japanese?

As background, I studied abroad in Italy and loved it - I'd like to go back for vacation one day, and make it kind of a regular thing as much as I can. I have Italian roots (unfortunately not a jure sanguinis candidate) and love the culture (and wine!!).

However I also want to visit Japan, and not just the major cities. I really want to go skiing and go into the rural countryside to see the traditional architecture and shrines, and a friend told me far fewer people speak English out there and it can be hard to get around. Also I'm kind of a weeb and watch a lot of anime anyway.

Thoughts?? I don't have time to learn both, I'm out of school and have a job and am really busy anyway so I'm gonna have to narrow it down.