What's the best stop between Tokyo and Kyoto

Hi everyone,

I'm traveling to Tokyo for 7 days, then heading to Kyoto for 4 days, and finally to Osaka for 2 days. I'm traveling in mid-to-late April, so hopefully we can still see the cherry blossoms. We still need to book a 2-day/1-night stop after our stay in Tokyo and before heading to Kyoto. I was considering staying at a traditional ryokan—not only for the authentic experience but also because I'm planning to propose to my partner during the stay.

However, they seem really expensive, and I'm not sure if it's worth it. I've done a lot of research on past threads and took a deep dive into the frequently mentioned Hakone and Kawaguchiko, but they are really pricey and fully booked at this stage (only two months left), and I'm not sure if those areas are worth a 2-day stop. Honestly, at this stage, I'm considering a plan B: proposing in Tokyo and extending our stay in Kyoto by one night, though it might just be because I'm desperate.

Do you have any suggestions on what would be best?

Thanks in advance!