Totally agree on the aperture issue. Unfortunately, I had issues with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR being way too soft at the long end. It just wasnt as good as expected for landscapes. Not great. Youre better off snagging the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S. Quick tip: look for a refurbished copy to save money and stay under that $1100 limit. Better glass.

Honestly, be careful with variable aperture zooms like the 24-200mm. I used a lens with a shifting aperture on my first big trip and really struggled once the light started fading in the late afternoon. It was super frustrating having to constantly check my settings and seeing my shutter speed tank. If you go with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, you get that constant f/4 which is much more reliable for street shots at dusk. Plus, its an S-line lens so the weather sealing is beefier... you dont want to risk your gear if it starts raining in Tokyo. Since you mentioned the $1100 budget, I would suggest checking the Nikon refurbished store or reputable used sites. I saved a few hundred on my Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S that way and it literally looked brand new. Just make sure to order it soon so you have time to test everything before your flight. Better to be safe than stuck with a dud overseas.

I totally feel you on the budget stress. Its so frustrating trying to get the best value without breaking the bank right before a big trip. Im usually pretty satisfied once I actually get my gear and start shooting, but that middle part where youre staring at your bank account is just the worst. It really puts a damper on the excitement. Speaking of the trip though, make sure you save some of that budget for the food! When I was in Kyoto, I spent way too much on this one fancy dinner that honestly wasnt even as good as the street food I got for five bucks the next day. I felt so guilty about the waste of money for like three days. I ended up just eating convenience store rice balls for the rest of the week just to balance it out, which actually worked out fine because those 7-Eleven snacks are unironically incredible. I could live off those things. Anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.

Ive been reading through this thread and like someone mentioned, the constant aperture on the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S seems like the way to go if you want reliability. Tbh im still kinda new to this myself so take it with a grain of salt but I think people usually prefer the S-line glass for a reason. Basically everyone so far is leaning toward the 120mm because of the sharpness and better performance when it gets dark. IIRC the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is super handy for the reach but if youre worried about missing shots because the aperture keeps jumping around, it might not be worth the stress. Not sure if $1100 gets you a brand new one right now but like the other person said, refurbished or used is a solid bet. Japan has amazing camera shops too so maybe you could even find something there? Idk, just a thought... hope you have a blast tho!