@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly tho, I had issues with the 24-70 range. Unfortunately it wasnt as good as expected when I needed more reach for street shots.

• I tried the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR but was disappointed by the sharpness.
• Maybe look at a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S?
• Its kinda heavy, but swapping lenses in rain is risky... trust me.

> The 24-120 seems great but its expensive and looks kinda bulky I would suggest being careful with weight for a trip like that. Quick question though, how much low-light street stuff are you planning on? The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is really the safest bet for quality, but the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 might actually be better for your budget and those dark subways. Just make sure to double check the weather sealing since you mentioned rain... you dont want to risk your Z6ii.

I actually went with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S for my first trip and felt really safe with it. It is so light and just works well for everything I needed. Im very satisfied because it didnt weigh me down during long walks. For street photography, the 70mm is usually plenty and it feels way less bulky than the alternatives.

Jumping in here... honestly, my experience with those standard zooms in rainy conditions wasnt as good as expected. Unfortunately, I had issues with moisture getting into the zoom barrels during a similar trip. It makes me very hesitant to recommend anything with a lot of moving parts for Japans rainy season. If you want something truly reliable and sharp without breaking the bank, look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S. It is lightweight, weather-sealed, and the image quality is way better than any of those variable zooms. Quick tip: if youre worried about the rain and crowds, just grab a cheap silicone rain sleeve or even a simple DIY plastic cover. It is a much safer way to protect your gear than relying solely on the lens seals. 20k steps is a lot. Stick to one focal length and your back will thank you.

Building on the earlier suggestion about going the used route, I wanted to chime in as someone who has been shooting Z cameras since day one. I learned the hard way on a rainy trip to Osaka years ago that babying a brand new, expensive lens ruins the fun of shooting in the streets. If you want to keep your budget well under $900 and not stress about your gear, here is what I would suggest based on my long-term ownership:

• Buy a used Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S. You can easily grab one in mint condition for under $400 because they were bundled as kit lenses.
• Use the leftover cash to grab a compact prime like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 for night street photography. It slips into a jacket pocket and weighs practically nothing.
• Be careful to inspect the rubber weather-sealing gasket on the mount when buying used. Make sure to ask the seller for close-up photos of it, since a damaged gasket will ruin your weather resistance in the Tokyo subways and rain.

Like someone mentioned, stick to the lighter glass. I did 20k+ steps in Tokyo last autumn and my back was screaming by day four. You definitely dont want extra weight dragging you down in those crowded subways.

• Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S: This is the sweet spot. It stays sharp and is so compact it basically disappears in your bag. Plus it fits your budget perfectly.
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2: If you want to go even lighter, keep this in your jacket pocket. It is tiny, cheap, and fast enough for those moody rainy street shots where f/4 might struggle. Be careful with the zoom lenses if you are worried about rain. Any lens with an extending barrel is a vacuum for dust and moisture. I would suggest picking up a cheap rain sleeve if you go the zoom route, but honestly, carrying one compact prime and the kit zoom covers almost everything without killing your shoulder. Dont overthink it and just enjoy the trip.

Japan is a lot of walking so trust me, every gram counts. 20k steps is a low estimate honestly. I've tried many setups for travel over the years and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR gets a bad rap for no reason. In my experience, if you stop it down slightly, it is plenty sharp for nature and street. Having that 200mm reach for shots of Mt Fuji or distant temples without swapping glass in the rain is worth its weight in gold. Plus it fits your $900 budget perfectly. If you're worried about low light in the subways, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 is the better play. It's surprisingly light for a 2.8 zoom and handles those neon-lit streets way better than the f/4 kit lens. It is basically the budget-friendly version of the heavy pro glass and keeps your kit really nimble. Personally, I'd go with the 24-200 for the sheer versatility. You wont regret having the extra reach when you're trying to frame a shot across a crowded street in Kyoto... swapping lenses in a crowd is just asking for a dropped cap or a dirty sensor.

Regarding what #7 said about building on the earlier suggestion about going the used route, I agree that stressing over gear ruins the flow of a trip. I took a Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S to Kyoto last year and honestly, the weight savings were the only reason I kept shooting after hitting 20k steps. If you take anything heavier, you'll feel it in your shoulders by day three. My advice is to prioritize the weather sealing over extra reach. I got caught in a sudden downpour near Fushimi Inari and my gear held up, but I was careful to keep the zoom barrel tucked under my jacket. If you are worried about the budget, keep an eye on reputable sites for the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S used, because you can usually find them for a steal. It is plenty sharp for street work, and you wont regret the smaller footprint in those tight subway cars. Just pack a cheap rain cover and a microfiber cloth.

Get the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S. Here's why it wins for your specific situation: