The first Waldorf breakfast came with happy anniversary for Zach and Caitlin and happy birthday for Sarah drawn on the plates.
Then the staff came out with a hand-drawn happy anniversary card. One breakfast in, and the Waldorf was already making a serious case for the hospitality title.
After that, the morning stayed chill, and staying out of the rain became the correct level of ambition.
Everyone went to Uniqlo and designed custom shirts and sweatshirts, because apparently the birthday trip needed merch.
Sarah also had to put a bag over her head to try on clothes, which is either a very serious retail hygiene protocol or the most Osaka visual possible.
Back at the Waldorf, there was a Devil Wears Prada shoe signed by Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. Apparently they signed it in Tokyo and it had been brought to Osaka, so naturally there is a picture with it.
Then came a British pub stop for Guinness and a few minutes of the US World Cup game. Japan trip, Irish beer, British pub, American soccer. Very tidy.
After that, Dotonbori delivered 10-yen-shaped waffles full of cheese, the Glico Running Man, and melon bread with ice cream in it.
Then the group split up for the first time: Caitlin and Zach went to a sake tour, while Ashley and Sarah went for facials. Everyone met back up later for wagyu kaiseki.
Dinner was absolutely phenomenal. Sarah said it may have been the best meal of her life, which is not a small lane change from chicken-cheese-skewer loyalist. They performed a matcha tea ceremony, and the main owner let Zach do one too. Nicest people. No notes.
The Tokyo Banana also returned as evidence in the bento-box photo. Everyone else held bento boxes; Zach held Tokyo Bananas. Sarah sent the picture to a friend, who correctly observed: guy in the middle does not have a bento box.
