Japan

The grand finale of a 10-day Hokkaido road trip: Shiraoi's Kai Poroto — the best hotel of the trip, possibly ever. Black mineral hot springs, a lakeside outdoor bath where you feel like you're floating on the water, a refined kaiseki dinner, yakiniku at Amano Family Farm, and a TKG egg-on-rice send-off at Uemura Farm. Plus: tips on returning a rental car at New Chitose Airport.

Day 7: volcanic landscapes at Showa Shinzan and an epic outdoor bath complex at Midori no Kaze Resort. Day 8: a day trip to Noboribetsu's legendary white-sulfur hot springs at Daiichi Takimotokan, then an overnight at Lake Shikotsu's "Mizunouta" — featuring the best hotel buffet of the entire trip and a private in-room hot spring.

Leaving Otaru in style — a 5-variety uni-don at the legendary Seiichiya, then a road trip through Hokkaido's backroads. Blueberry soft serve at Alice Farm, a surprise cherry blossom and Mt. Yotei view in Kyogoku, and finally unwinding at Midori no Kaze Resort's epic outdoor baths. The complete Day 6 Hokkaido road trip guide.

The final day in Otaru — and we went out with a bang. Feast on fresh seafood at a local shotengai market restaurant, track down Hokkaido's best soft serve, shop for Otaru glass crafts, watch the sunset over the canal, and finish with a surprising Western-style dinner. A complete Day 5 guide to Otaru, Hokkaido.

Just 40 minutes from Sapporo, Otaru is Hokkaido's crown jewel for seafood, history, and sweets. This complete Day 4 travel guide covers uni-don, Le Tao cake, cherry blossoms at Tenryuji, and fresh sushi — everything you need for an unforgettable visit.

Sapporo in spring: catch late cherry blossoms at Maruyama Park, eat counter sushi at Shiki Hanamaru, and finish with Genghis Khan lamb and a Hokkaido parfait. The perfect Sapporo Day 3 guide.

The ultimate Sapporo food day: life-changing miso ramen at Shingen, premium soft serve at COCONO SUSUKINO, and Sapporo-style soup curry at Ramai. A practical guide to eating your way through Sapporo.

A first-timer's guide to arriving in Sapporo — from New Chitose Airport to a stunning onsen ryokan and the best hairy crab dinner in the city. Day 1 Sapporo travel diary.

The ultimate 10-day Hokkaido itinerary — Sapporo, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, and Lake Shikotsu. A personal route covering the best food, onsen, and scenery on Japan's most spectacular northern island.