Saw this today and figured id weigh in since i went through this exact thing last year. I ended up with the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-63 IS USM and it basically lives on my R6 now. It really is the ultimate one lens solution if you hate swapping gear or carrying a huge bag.

• The 24-240mm is a beast for travel. It lets you capture wide streets but also lets you zoom way in for architecture details that are too far away. I was super happy with how sharp the photos came out for a non-pro lens.
• That cheaper Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM you mentioned is actually a decent starter lens. Its very light, but you might find it a bit limiting if you want to zoom in on stuff across a temple garden.
• If you have leftover budget, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is tiny and perfect for those dimly lit restaurants where a zoom might struggle. Honestly just grab the 24-240mm. Its slightly heavier but it does everything so you can just enjoy the trip...

Congrats on the R6! Its an amazing camera and youre gonna love it for your Japan trip. Honestly, dont sweat the lens confusion because everyone starts there... I went through the same thing last year. For your budget and the Kyoto trip, I highly recommend getting the Canon RF 24-105mm f4-7.1 IS STM. Its light, versatile, and fits perfectly under your $900 limit. The reason there are two 24-105 lenses is basically that one is a professional L-series with a constant aperture, and the other is a more compact consumer version. Here is why the STM version is actually a fantastic choice for your specific trip:

• Focal Range: 24mm is wide enough for those massive gates at Fushimi Inari, while 105mm lets you zoom into street details from a distance.
• Weight: It is super light, so you wont get tired carrying it around Kyoto all day long while you are exploring.
• Macro Ability: It has a really cool center focus macro feature which is fantastic for those close-up food photos you mentioned!
• Value: It is very affordable, which leaves you with plenty of extra cash for some fast SD cards or a nice comfortable camera bag. The image quality is honestly fantastic for the price and the R6 sensor makes almost anything look good anyway. You wont feel like an idiot once you see how sharp those temple shots turn out! Just grab that one and focus on enjoying your trip... you made a great choice with the R6 body.

Quick reply while I have a sec... honestly the 24-105 confusion is super common. The expensive one is the L version with better build and a fixed aperture, while the cheap one is slower and lighter. Regarding what #2 said about the Canon RF 24-240mm f4-6.3 IS USM being a beast for travel, its a solid range but might be a bit bulky for some. Before you drop that $900, I have a couple questions to narrow it down:

• Are you planning to do a lot of shooting inside dim temples or at night?
• How important is having a blurry background (bokeh) for those food shots? Knowing that helps decide if you need a faster lens or if the kit options are fine for your style... Kyoto is amazing but light can be tricky in those old wooden buildings.

I am very happy with the R6 body so far, but I have been dealing with this exact same lens dilemma for about a month now. It is honestly exhausting trying to find one reliable setup that works well without breaking the bank.

• I have spent hours comparing those two 24-105mm options and still cant decide if the cheaper one is actually reliable enough for a big trip.
• The frustration of wanting that pro-level sharp look while staying under a $900 budget is very real and I am basically at a standstill.
• Even with my experience using other systems, the current RF lens lineup is proving to be a total headache to navigate for a single-lens solution.

The Professional Standard: RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

If you want a lens that feels like a perfect extension of the R6 and delivers consistently stunning results, this is the one. It's widely considered the gold standard for a reason.

• Why it wins: This lens is incredibly sharp, well-built, and weather-sealed. The constant f/4 aperture is bright enough for most situations, and the image stabilization pairs perfectly with your R6's IBIS. Most importantly, the 24-105mm range is simply the most practical "walk-around" focal length ever made—wide enough for landscapes and interiors, long enough for flattering portraits and distant details.

• User Feedback: Owners consistently praise it as a "most valuable all purpose lens" and "the reason I upgraded from Canon DSLR to RF". One user noted it works "seamlessly together on my R5 and my R6 ii," highlighting its perfect integration with the R6's body.

• The Trade-off: It's a professional L-series lens, meaning it carries a higher price tag (often cited as its main drawback) and is larger than the consumer kit option.