I can't help but smile as I see Rory's genuine enthusiasm for my travel plans. It feels good to share this excitement with someone who gets it.

"The Hakodate Morning Market is going to be incredible," I say, scrolling through more photos on my phone. "It opens super early - around 6am - and I've read you really should get there early before things sell out. There are over 150 stores selling everything from fresh crabs to farm vegetables."

"And these seafood rice bowls," I continue, pointing to a particularly vibrant photo, "they're called kaisendon or goshokudon - which literally means 'five color rice bowl' because they feature five different types of seafood on rice, served with miso soup and pickles. The Donburi Yokocho - that's 'rice bowl alley' - is right next to the market and has tons of restaurants serving these bowls."

"There's this place called Ikkatei Tabiji that's supposed to be amazing. They have this dish called Ike Ika Odori-don - literally 'dancing squid bowl' - where they serve squid straight from their water tank, and when you pour soy sauce on it, the squid actually 'dances' as its muscles react to the sodium. Talk about fresh seafood!"

I laugh, noticing Rory's expression. "I know it sounds a bit intense, but that's part of the adventure, right? And if that's too much, there's also the Salmon Ikura Don at a place called Mako To Yasubei - fresh salmon and salmon roe on rice for about 1,400 yen, which is pretty reasonable."

"After Hakodate, I'm heading to Sapporo for the Autumn Fest. The timing is perfect - it runs from September 6th to 29th this year at Odori Park. It's huge - over 300 food vendors spread across 12 city blocks. They call them 'chōme' in Japanese."

I pull up another photo showing the sprawling park filled with food stalls. "It started back in 2008 as just a small week-long event covering two blocks, but now it's grown into this massive three-week festival. Over two million people attend each year!"

"The festival is divided into different zones - one for ramen, another for sake and craft beers, and there's even a section where you can sample specialties from different Hokkaido towns. And the farmer's market area has the season's best produce and meats."

I pause, realizing I've been talking non-stop. "Sorry, I'm rambling again. It's just... I've been planning this trip for so long, and it's finally happening next month. April in Hokkaido should be beautiful - still cool but starting to warm up. I can't wait to experience it all firsthand instead of just through these photos."

I look at Rory with genuine appreciation. "Thanks for listening to all this. It means a lot to have someone who understands why these little details matter so much."