I did the Jet Program for 2 years and was in Fukushima. I loved it! I really enjoyed the countryside and the smaller towns.
My wife and I are moving back to Japan at the end of the summer. We'll probably be living in the west Fukushima (Aizu) area, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Yamagata areas. It'll largely depend on where I decide to work. Her family is from Aizu though. Close enough to family, yet far enough for my sanity is what I'm hoping for.
Sendai is a nice city. Been there a few times. All of Tohoku is beautiful as well. There can sometimes be a lot of negative comments and feelings towards Fukushima/Tohoku, but I don't see it. I think it works for some and not for others. Tokyo doesn't work for me as far as living goes. K I'm rambling now. Time to go.