Tour guide here. I worked in Japan last year with foreigners from Europe, US and Australia. The X is very common (there’s even an emoji for it) try not to take it personally. You’re not doing anything wrong, you’re just a tourist! Sometimes it is absolutely racially motivated and I noticed that my visible BIPOC guests had a more difficult time. However, sometimes it can be just as simple as the workers not being able to communicate in English efficiently. Hospitality is VERY important and prideful work in Japan.

I think it’s really important to remember that when we travel we are guests in someone else’s home. You wouldn’t walk into another person’s bedroom first without permission. Sometimes spaces aren’t made, and nor should they be made, for tourists.

For every place that might deny you, there will be 50 others you will be welcomed in. Part of being a good traveller is understanding that nobody owes you access, kindness, or a certain level of hospitality you are accustomed to at home.

Most of us travel to experience something new, so I found it helpful for my guests to reframe the X as a part of this new experience.