Off to See Our Men: Osaka Port Call

Katie Johnson
Feb 28, 2023
5 min read

One good thing with deployments picking back up: Port Calls!!!! As you may remember, Meg and I took a spur-of-the-moment trip down to Okinawa to meet the ship earlier in January, and we weren't missing another chance to see our guys!

With flights and hotels booked, we were ready for another port call to Osaka, Japan!

Monday, February 20: Meeting the Ship

After an early meetup at Hario, Meg and I drove to Nagasaki Airport and met up with Jenna and her daughter, Sofia, for our 9 am flight to Osaka! We knew the ship was entering port sometime today, but we weren't sure exactly when they would arrive or when they’d be allowed off of the ship. This is one plus to traveling with the XO's wife (Jenna); she may have more insights and she would be sure to arrive in time!

After landing in Osaka, Jenna offered to drop Meg and I off at our hotel since she rented a car for the trip. After dropping our bags, we emailed the guys and began waiting for the ship to release them!

We eventually met up with Kristin, Nick's girlfriend, and grabbed a few chu hais to pass the time as we explored Dotonbori! So while the guys killed time in their room waiting to be told they could leave, the wives/girlfriends killed time walking around the city! Kristin also wins the award for the farthest visit; she came all the way from San Diego to see Nick!

Eventually, the guys were released and made their way to us! We also learned that this port call made national news as the first port call in Osaka in seven years by an American ship!

Swissotel Nankai Osaka

Once the guys dropped their bags at the various hotels, we met back up for an evening with the Wardroom...yeah, not exactly the romantic afternoon I had envisioned for our first time seeing each other in nearly a month. We made our way over to Swissotel around 5:15 pm, just before the start of the Warroom Hail & Bail. We did make the most of it (and the free food and drinks) while enjoying the Osaka skyline at sunset!

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka: チームラボボタニカルガーデン大阪

As the hail and bail began wrapping up, we snuck out early to catch our train to the other side of the city for an evening at the Osaka Teamlab! This Teamlab marks the last Teamlab in Japan for Bryan and I to visit- we have officially done them all now!

This Teamlab was extra special though because it was an opportunity for me to see Catherine Cloetta again! Catherine was one of Bryan's co-residents at his GPR at Camp Pendleton, and we all bonded over many nights of pizza and local beer at various restaurants around Carlsbad, CA. Catherine is currently stationed in Okinawa and she is the MEU dentist embarked aboard the America, so she's gotten to work alongside Bryan these last few months! While Bryan is responsible for the 1,200 sailors on board, Catherine takes care of the 1,200 marines that the ship picks up in Okinawa during these longer deployments! I was so excited to catch up with her while exploring TeamLab outdoor art!

While this TeamLab wasn't as exciting as some of the others, it was a cool outdoor experience with Teamlab's famous eggs and interactive artwork! Plus, I loved getting to catch up with Catherine and reminisce about the good times we had together back in California!

As you can tell from this video, our gang doesn't miss an opportunity for a good laugh! These video clips are just another reminder of the great friends we have made during our time in Japan!

Tuesday, February 21: Universal Studios Japan

Knowing we only had one full day in Osaka together, I let Bryan choose how we would spend the day. Unsurprisingly, he wanted to spend the day at Hogwarts and back in Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.

Universal Studios Japan: ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン

With Kristin, Nick, Meg, and Stego in tow, the six of us were at the park and ready to go at the park's opening, where we dashed towards Hogwarts while securing a later timed entry for Super Nintendo World. Throughout the day, we enjoyed numerous rides in Hogsmeade and Jurassic Park and then Bryan tried to convince me to let him buy another $40 Pewter ButterBeer mug (hard pass). No worries though, this grown man did get to order a warm ButterBeer during lunch at the Three Broomsticks- just no souvenir mug this time around. I learned my lesson last time; Bryan cannot make good financial choices when it comes to anything Harry Potter related.

As you might tell from the pictures, it was FREEZING in Osaka. Thank God I packed a beanie and gloves for Bryan...this man showed up in a sweatshirt thinking that would be enough! (You may not be able to tell from the photos, but I did make him layer two pairs of sweatpants and two sweatshirts. He thanked me later!)

At 5:10 pm, we were allowed to enter Super Nintendo World, where we enjoyed a few photo spots before getting in the two-hour line for the Mario Carts ride. To pass the time in queue, Kristin whipped out her phone for several rounds of "Heads Up," where we caught lots of stares from all the quiet Japanese families surrounding us!

Magic Bar Osaka: カードシャーク心斎橋店

Not wanting the day to end, Meg and I suggested a Magic Bar for the evening adventure. If you remember our time at the Magic Bar in Kumamoto, you know Meg and I had a blast and this time was no different! Our bartender spoke great English and his card tricks were out of this world! Bryan even signed one of the cards for a magic trick, and the bartender let him keep the deck after he blew our minds with a trick! Bryan will be sure to treasure that deck of cards forever!

Wednesday, February 22: Back to Sasebo

Like all great things, they must come to an end.

Melbourne Coffee, Craft & Cider

Before our flights back to Sasebo, Bryan and Mike joined Meg and I for brunch. As you might be able to tell from the name, Melbourne Coffee, Craft & Cider served great coffee AND awesome Australian ciders, and since we were still *technically* on vacation, we ended the trip with an 11 am beverage that did NOT disappoint.

After a flight back to Nagaskai and an hour's drive back home, I was greeted by my welcoming committee, both of whom were quick to smell dad and then were very disappointed when he didn't walk through the door behind me.

As I got to work Tuesday morning, I got to Facetime with B one last time before he boarded the ship! Seeing that smiling face is better than nothing, but it will be a while before I get to see it again!