As first-timers to Sapporo, we turned a bit of downtime on our initial day into a highlight thanks to City Unscripted. While we had been to Japan before, the sheer volume of snow was a new challenge for us, making this local-led tour even more valuable. I was specifically seeking that insider perspective—like where residents actually eat and the reasoning behind local customs—rather than a standard tourist route. This approach really helped ease the social anxiety that often comes with navigating a foreign country. Thanks to the guidance, I feel much more confident about our short time in Hokkaido. A huge shout-out to Zarina for an excellent session; wishing you all the best with your PhD!