Like someone mentioned, the Leica tax is real and you should be careful about spending your savings before hitting Tokyo. Honestly, if you want that character without the premium, look at the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary instead of the giant Art lenses. It is small, weather-sealed, and perfect for street work. I have used a bunch of L-mount glass and honestly, the sharpest stuff is not always the most fun to use. If you want something genuinely unique, maybe look for a used Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical manual lens. It brings way more personality than the clinical stuff. Just make sure you save enough cash for some good memory cards like the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-II because you are gonna shoot thousands of frames. Don't overthink the sharpness charts, just pick something that makes you want to go out and shoot.

Late to the party but I had the exact same internal debate when I picked up my S5II. Honestly, unless you really need that specific Leica character for professional client work, the price gap is just massive. I have used the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for street shots and it is incredibly sharp. The build quality feels solid enough to survive the hectic crowds in Tokyo without babying it constantly. If you want something smaller for walking around, check out the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary instead. It is tiny, weather-sealed, and just feels right on an L-mount body for candid stuff. You save so much cash that you could basically afford a whole second lens or save for a trip to Kyoto. I usually check sites like Fred Miranda or browse the used listings on Map Camera once you actually land in Japan, since their second-hand market is top-tier and way cheaper than buying new Leica glass. Micro-contrast is cool and all, but people usually cant tell the difference once you throw a filter on or do a quick grade in post. I would rather spend that extra cash on a solid backup battery and a really comfortable strap because you are going to be walking for miles. Stick with the third-party glass while you get settled, you wont regret the extra spending money.

Honestly, moving to Tokyo is going to be a blast for street photography, but dont stress too much about the glass before you get there. I spent a long time obsessing over micro-contrast vs raw sharpness, but honestly, in the field, it matters way less than the experience. Here is how I see it:

• Leica glass has this certain look, sure, but be careful because the focus speed on their older manual stuff can be a headache for street shots.
• Sigma is basically the king of consistency right now, and you might want to consider them if you need something that just works every time you pull the camera out of your bag.
• Make sure to think about the weight too. If you're walking around Shinjuku all day, hauling a heavy premium lens might get old fast, so maybe go with a lighter prime from Sigma. I would suggest sticking with Sigma for now because you can get way more gear for your money. You can always upgrade later if you really feel like you need that specific Leica look. The Panasonic bodies are super capable, so you really cant go wrong with either, but save your cash for the food and travel experiences in Japan. If you get stuck on settings or need tips on local spots, just reach out.