I've been sitting here thinking about your Japan trip and honestly, you should look at the Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR. I used this lens for my own trek through Kyoto a while back and was incredibly happy with the results. Most people skip it because it isnt a fast f2.8 lens, but the versatility is just insane for travel. I remember wandering through Nishiki Market with just this one setup and I never felt like I was missing a shot. It captures the steam coming off the street food perfectly and then reaches all the way across a busy intersection for those candid shots of the neon signs. The best part is it's weather-sealed. Japan gets pretty rainy sometimes and having that peace of mind while walking around with an expensive body like the X-T5 is a total lifesaver. I never had any complaints about the image quality for my prints and the stabilization is solid. You can usually find a used copy for around $500, which keeps you way under that $750 limit. Quick tip: since you're stressed about the numbers, just stick the camera in Aperture Priority and let it do the heavy lifting. Also, buying used from a place like MPB or KEH is a total pro move... saves you tons of cash for more sushi and train tickets. Just enjoy the trip and dont sweat the gear too much.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I unfortunately tried a cheap kit zoom once and it was really disappointing.

• focus hunted constantly
• images looked soft Maybe try constant aperture options instead.

@Reply #3 - good point! Versatility is huge when you are walking 20k steps a day but unfortunately that 18-135 is a really old optical design. I've had issues with it on the newer 40mp sensors because it just isnt sharp enough to resolve all that detail... kinda disappointing to have a beast of a camera like the X-T5 and then have the glass hold it back tbh. If you want to maximize your budget and get something that stays on the camera 24/7, look at the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Fujifilm X. It usually sits right around $700. Technically it is way better than the standard Fuji kit zooms because you get that constant f/2.8 aperture for low light and food shots, but you still have enough reach for street stuff. Plus it has built-in stabilization which helps if you are shooting handheld in the rain or at night. It is a bit chunky compared to the Sigma, but the reliability of that weather sealing and the extra reach makes it worth the weight imo. You will be fine, just pick one and enjoy the food in Osaka!

Totally get why you're overwhelmed, the fuji lens lineup is basically alphabet soup. Since you're heading to Japan and need to stick to $750, you should seriously look at the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X. It is super compact, which is a lifesaver when you're walking miles through Kyoto. The main reason I'd pick this over the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is the f/2.8 aperture. A lower number means more light, which you’ll definitely need for indoor food photos and night streets. The 16-80mm has more zoom range, but it lets in less light, making it harder to get those blurry backgrounds you probably want. The Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS is another solid, cheaper option, but the Sigma's constant aperture is just easier to learn on... you got this.