Trip Planning

[Hinode]

I just went to tobita for the first time a couple months ago. I'd swear I must've looked like an idiot with a smile on my face because I felt like I'd died and went to heaven. Had my 2nd most beautiful girl ever there. #1 was in sapporo. I also had this one hapa girl that looked like a young angela maki. 4 nights in osaka and had 2 tobita girls, one British independent that looked like claire danes, and my very first nampa! So proud of myself. Trying to go back early next year.

Braddah Bench Warmer.

I'm already so Jealous. And Claire Danes? She absolutely grew on me in 'Homeland'. I would definitely want to bone a look alike her in Japan! Please share your stories. I can only reminisce. Sigh.

[Bench Warmer]

I just went to tobita for the first time a couple months ago. I'd swear I must've looked like an idiot with a smile on my face because I felt like I'd died and went to heaven. Had my 2nd most beautiful girl ever there. #1 was in sapporo. I also had this one hapa girl that looked like a young angela maki. 4 nights in osaka and had 2 tobita girls, one British independent that looked like claire danes, and my very first nampa! So proud of myself. Trying to go back early next year.

As always, great knowledge from the ohana here.

I guess I should be happy, then, as I use both the XE currency app and have been to the aforementioned Waikiki store to exchange my USD to yen.

Back in 2015, it was 121 . Huuu boy did I make it rain all up in Japan! So much omiyage brought home to friends and family.

Craving Tobita now- too bad it's a snowball chance in Hell to ever revisit that place. Sigh.

Mahalo nui loa.

Braddah H.

[Waipahu Prowl]

What's up gang. Have been off island for a while now and am making a trip back to oahu for the weekend. Have been trying to research, but have not found exactly what I'm looking for. Not sure if you remember the names Jessica, Patty, Erlinda, but was wondering if any of you have similar suggestions and types of service that they gave. Simple but worth every penny. Although the new one at 801 sounds very tempting. If I get a chance to see anyone I will report. Thank you all again. I miss living there for this reason only.

[KeepGoing]

Lloking for inisghts on where to go in Vegas. Looking for good places like old school, NYNY, hula hands CC, old Tokyo, spa type settings. PM.

[Hinode]

As always, great knowledge from the ohana here.

I guess I should be happy, then, as I use both the XE currency app and have been to the aforementioned Waikiki store to exchange my USD to yen.

Back in 2015, it was 121 . Huuu boy did I make it rain all up in Japan! So much omiyage brought home to friends and family.

Craving Tobita now- too bad it's a snowball chance in Hell to ever revisit that place. Sigh.

Mahalo nui loa.

Braddah H.

[Captin Crunch]

Going Vegas next month. Any leads. Would like a massage with HE in room. Anyone try providers there? Or are there any good AMP?

Looking for only a massage and he? Or more? Pm me.

[Poiuy2]

There is slightly better rates available at DFS right across the street. They trade about 1. 5 yen +/- from the actual rates. If the dollar gets weaker on a certain day, DFS still uses the previous days rates. It's been trading around 105 if you're buying yen. 108 if you're selling. The 3 yen spread gives you the 1. 5 up and down. Go at night. They clear out everything at night and start with just USD in the morning. Limit is $999 per day per person. If you go with three other people, you can trade up to $3996.

You can call DFS to get a recorded message on that days rates. *(808) 931-2700. Then press 1, 1, 1 to skip ahead in the recording to get the actual rates. Again, go at night. They will have a lot more yen available due to all the Japanese trading during the day. It's in the middle of DFS, street level. Next to the area that sells Big a Island Candies and Honolulu Cookie Co. Street level and 2nd Floor are accessible to the general public.

[Poiuy2]

Best place to get yen has been pacific currency exchange in Waikiki. They are basically buying yen from tourists and selling to locals or back to the tourists, so the buy / sell spread is pretty tight, as they are the only middle man. If it happens to be a day when they are holding a lot of yen, they will sell the yen to you at a favorable rate, likely to minimize their overnight exposure. This kind of situation normally occurs when there is a surge in Japanese visitors, like special holidays. I don't know if they do other currencies.

There is slightly better rates available at DFS right across the street. They trade about 1. 5 yen +/- from the actual rates. If the dollar gets weaker on a certain day, DFS still uses the previous days rates. It's been trading around 105 if you're buying yen. 108 if you're selling. The 3 yen spread gives you the 1. 5 up and down. Go at night. They clear out everything at night and start with just USD in the morning. Limit is $999 per day per person. If you go with three other people, you can trade up to $3996.

[Van Deventer]

Best place to get yen has been pacific currency exchange in Waikiki. They are basically buying yen from tourists and selling to locals or back to the tourists, so the buy / sell spread is pretty tight, as they are the only middle man. If it happens to be a day when they are holding a lot of yen, they will sell the yen to you at a favorable rate, likely to minimize their overnight exposure. This kind of situation normally occurs when there is a surge in Japanese visitors, like special holidays. I don't know if they do other currencies.

Sorry, had the name wrong the first time. It's Pacific Money Exchange. Best to call several days before you need the yen, so they have time to accumulate It if they do not have enough.

[Van Deventer]

It isn't enough to be able to track exchange rates. There are a number of phone apps that can and will provide you with international banking exchange rates (I use the iPhone App "XE", for example). The app will tell me what the current exchange rate might be but the real key to find someplace that will match that rate.

For example, I'm planning a trip to Japan in the near future and needed to land with a little bit of local currency. I need to find a place that will give me a good rate here. I look at XE and find that the going bank rate today is $1 US = 106.7550 JPY. However, when I call the Currency Exchange, they are only offering 102.25 JPY per dollar + $9. 95 service fee + $5 handling fee. BOH offering no fees but exchange rate of 99.425 JPY per dollar.

It is a marketplace like any other where demand dictates price, The best you can do is to known what the big boys are trading at and try to get as close to that rate as possible. That knowledge is what the app provides.

Best place to get yen has been pacific currency exchange in Waikiki. They are basically buying yen from tourists and selling to locals or back to the tourists, so the buy / sell spread is pretty tight, as they are the only middle man. If it happens to be a day when they are holding a lot of yen, they will sell the yen to you at a favorable rate, likely to minimize their overnight exposure. This kind of situation normally occurs when there is a surge in Japanese visitors, like special holidays. I don't know if they do other currencies.

[John Ross]

If you have friends that own stores in Waikiki, you can do this. My friend's store would take yen, but of course, their rate would be kind of low to the tourist. Using FCH's low buy rate of 102, the store would pay maybe 95. I could then buy it from my friend at the 95 rate, and amass enough for travel. Likewise, if you have Filipino or Korean friends, they may have some pesos or won you can buy from them at a good rate.

[FCH300]

Knowledge is power.

The seniors (OG) who paved the way for me here, I show homage to the founding fathers. You know who you are.

Just curious, for the worldly traveler; in this day and age of technology, how do you track currency? Example, say you want to get the best bang for your buck, knowing what the United States dollars is, compared to say the Philippines pesos. Do you use a web site? Or know a trusted company that always gives the best rates? Mahalo in advance.

H.

It isn't enough to be able to track exchange rates. There are a number of phone apps that can and will provide you with international banking exchange rates (I use the iPhone App "XE", for example). The app will tell me what the current exchange rate might be but the real key to find someplace that will match that rate.

For example, I'm planning a trip to Japan in the near future and needed to land with a little bit of local currency. I need to find a place that will give me a good rate here. I look at XE and find that the going bank rate today is $1 US = 106.7550 JPY. However, when I call the Currency Exchange, they are only offering 102.25 JPY per dollar + $9. 95 service fee + $5 handling fee. BOH offering no fees but exchange rate of 99.425 JPY per dollar.

It is a marketplace like any other where demand dictates price, The best you can do is to known what the big boys are trading at and try to get as close to that rate as possible. That knowledge is what the app provides.

[YoEleven]

Going Vegas next month. Any leads. Would like a massage with HE in room. Anyone try providers there? Or are there any good AMP?

Spring Mountain Rd. In China Town get several AMPs. Tried couple times. Had both decent and bad experiences. For me, they always try to upsell. IMO not worth it. One girl wanted $$/ tip for just BJ. I walked out. To me, the AMPs in Honolulu is the best. Of course, as always TEHO. I rather just gamble when I'm in Vegas anyway. But, that just me. Good luck.

[PussMonger]

Howzit Hinode! Mahalo for all your posts. Enjoy all the commentary. Been using yahoo currency converter. This is update almost daily. If you type in country or currency type it will take you to a page with all the info, trends etc. By and large I have had the best success converting cash at the airport upon arrival before leaving baggage claim but before customs. Sometimes currency exchange is after customs. Just depend on the country. I would rather exchange currency at airport rather than hotel. Also if you have a friend there sometimes black market is better exchange. Have done that In Bali and PI and got a better rate. Make sure you trust the person before handing your cash over. Have fun!

Aloha.

Knowledge is power.

The seniors (OG) who paved the way for me here, I show homage to the founding fathers. You know who you are.

Just curious, for the worldly traveler; in this day and age of technology, how do you track currency? Example, say you want to get the best bang for your buck, knowing what the United States dollars is, compared to say the Philippines pesos. Do you use a web site? Or know a trusted company that always gives the best rates? Mahalo in advance.

H.

[Coffee Bean]

Going Vegas next month. Any leads. Would like a massage with HE in room. Anyone try providers there? Or are there any good AMP?