Amex's Lounge — Local services in Kyoto

If you hold an AMEX card from outside Japan, please send a complaint for this location.

There are numerous things that you are not allowed to do as a foreigner in Japan. I support most of them, I think it’s great to gatekeep some culture. An AMERICAN Express lounge is NOT Japanese culture.

The selling point for me as AMERICAN express platinum card holder is international travel. I can stop by Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany, and Spain & never have I been denied access to an AMERICAN Express lounge. What a disrespectful lounge rule.

We are already in Japan, there are plenty of Japanese-only spaces, and that is absolutely okay because this is their country, but this is a lounge from a credit card company from AMERICAN express. Imagine a lounge in New York City or San Francisco deny you because you’re not an American passport holder or from that state.

Btw, I’m half japanese and I have no problem fully immersing myself in my culture. Also did I mention this is an AMERICAN...

Lady working the lounge on 27th February 2025 at 15:30pm is unfortunately exceptionally rude and racist. Was shouted at for walking up to the door and told “NO NO NO JAPANESE ONLY”.

This is pretty basic manners, step one, don’t shout out customers before they even enter the premises or speak. Step two, simply ask what AMEX card they hold, as I was eligible to enter.

Would give 0 stars if possible and I hope this lady in mention is trained in proper customer service and politeness...

International co-branded American Express cards not accepted; I attempted to enter with a Qantas American Express Ultimate (Australian). I’ll revise this review if I acquire an accepted card. Do note that international cards which aren’t co-branded seem to be accepted (such as personal/biz/corp American Express Gold/Platinum); this is merely a guess though, as I could not find any official information online...